Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-11-16
To Let-1nquire Within.
The lady founced out in a rage.

| Two young danlsels and u rpinster aunt
followed, and after u lengthy inspection of
the premises, came to a state council in
the parlor.
like the house very much. said the
spinstcr aunt solclnmly. and with fow al
terations | will engage it for my brothers
family.
Very good, ma am. said Nallum rubbing
his hands, and scentins speedy termna-
ton to his trials. Name .sn,.
The door handles must I've gilded and ]
should like the houscncwly papered in vel
vet and gold. aud repaintcd, au,, the par.
ttion between the parlors taken down. and
replaced by an arch, and an extension din
ing room built On behind. and II bny -win-
dow thrown out Of the parlOr, and u new
range in the kitchen and II dumb waiter
put ill., and new bronZc chandeliers through,
out, and another furnace in the sub-ccilar,
and
Hold on. ma.m-iust hold on one min
ute said Nahum fecily gasping for breath.
.Wouldem't you like the old house cartcd
away, and new one put in its place ]
think it would be rather less trouble than
to make the trifing alterations ysu sug
gest'
|
Very wcll-vcry we'll come girls
With prim dignity the lady marshallcd
her two cliargce out, inuttcring something
about tho 'extortiUnate ideas Of landlords
now "a days.
While Nahum wildly rumpling his iron
gray hair with both hands. soliliIui7ed
well if job had been alive. AM; had a
house to let, there never would have been
anv book of job written. There goes that
everlasting bell again III haul it out by
the roots if this thing goes on much longer
III tear down the bell and put the place
up at auction
Another lady. but quite different from
the other--s slender little cast down lady
with head that dropped like Il lily of the
valley, and dress Of brown silk that had
been rncnded and darned and turned and
retr,nmed, until even Nahum Briggs, man
and bachelor though he WAS. could see how
very shabby it was. Yet she was pretty.
with mig blue eyes and shining brown hair.
and checks tingcd with il fair ticrtiny color,
where the vclvety roses of youth had once
bloemed in vivid carnline. And u golden
haired little lassc cluns to her dress. AZ
like her rs tiny lily buds to a boomed
chime Of flower bell.
A Nahum Briggs stood looking a. her,
there came back tO him the sunshiny days
of youth-a field of blooming clover Grim
sOned the June light. like waves Of blood.
and Dluc-cycd girl leaning over the fence
with her bright hair barred with level sun
set gold. and he knew he was standing face
to face with Barbara Wylic. the glrl he
quarrcllcd with years ago. and whose blue
eyes had kept him an old bachelor all his
li,c long.
This house is to be let. believe ? She
asked tmidy, with little 4uiver in her
month.
Il believe it is barbara Wylic.'
She looked up, starting with sudden
flush of recognition.
And then barbara turned very pale and
began til cry, with the little golden haired
Girl clinging to her skirts md wnllng-
Mamma, mamma, what's the matter
mamma 2
Nothing now said Barbara. rcsolutrly
wipimg away the teas. Ii you please Mr..
Briggs will look at the house, am a
poor widow now. aud very poor. and-and
i think Of keeping boarding ho,rc 20 earn
my daily bread. l hope the rent is not
very high {!
Wv 4 IL taih duoub tuC icue "'tSiN N"uS'
said Nahum, ierccly swallowing down II
big lump in his throat that threatened to
choke him-.Coinc here little girl, and kiss
me; l used to know your mamma when
she wasn't much bigger than you are
Barbara. with her blue eyes still droop-
i ing went all over the house without fiud-
ing word of fault, and Nahum Briggs
walked at her side, wondering if it really
was fifteen years since the June sunshine
lay so brightly on the clover field.
Il think the house is beautiful said
meek Barbara. will you rent it to me,
Nahum =
We'll. yes said Nahum thong ushtfully'-
IN let YOU have the house. Barbara.
With the privilege of keeping few
boardcrs I
'Nu, md'dm'
Barbara stopped unl looked wlstfully Mt
him.