The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-11-10
TO Lef-ln4uire Within.

q" l like the house very mucn," said the
ipinster aunt solemnly, "and with few
alterations" | will engage it for my brother s
family.
"Very good, ma'am,' said Nahum rub
bing his ands and scenting a spe -dy ter
mination to his trials. ''Name 'em."
The door handles must all be gilded, and
should like the house newly prepared in
velvet aud gold. and repain,ed, and the par
iition between the parlors taken doxn and
replaced by an arch, snd an extension din.
ing room built on behind, and :. Ely s,rle
of range in the kitcken and a dumb waiter
put in new bronze chandeliers throughout,
and another furnaucc the sub cellar, and
Hold on-ma an-just hold on one min
ate" said Nahum. feebly casting fcr breath.
Wouldn't you like the old house carted
away, and new one put in its place?
think it would be rather less trouble than to
make til. trtling alterations you suggest"
"Sir," said the spinster, ioftily.
II don't think we can agree, ma am
Very well-very WELCOME girls
With prim dignity the lady marshaled her
two charges out, muttering something about
the " extortieuatc ideas of landlords now-a-
days
Nahum wildly rumpling his iron grey hair
With both hands. soliloquized:
We'll, if Job had been alive, and had a
house to let, there never world have been any
book of job written. There goes that ever.
lasting bell again; Iii haul it out by the
roots if this thug goes on much longer. I'll
t-sr down the bell, and put lie place rp n.
auction.
Another lady. but quite different from the
other-a slender, little, cast down lady, with
. head that dropped like lily of the valley,
and dress OF brown silk that had been
iilendrd. and darned and turned and rctrim.
lied, and even Nahum Briggs. man and
bachelor though be was, could see how very
shabby Ii was Yet she Was pretty, wiki
big blue eyes ana shining brown hair. and
cheeks ,inscd with fair, teeting color
bloomed III vivid cernine. And IL golden
haired li,tl. assie clung to her dress, rs like
her as tiny lily buds to IL bcomed chime of
fluwc1bels
AS Nuham briggs stood Iooslinc at her.
there care back To him the sunny days Of
t',u,h-a field of blooming clover crinsoned
L.hc June light like waves of blood, and q
blue eyed gIr leaned over the fence, with her
blight hair b.rrel with level sunset gold
aud he knew that he standing face to
face with barbara WylI-, tie girl Le had
quarrel.d with years and years ago, aud
whose h.Gc eyes had kept him an old bach>
elot Al his life l NJ.
This house Is to be let. / believe o. she
asksd ti:nidiy, with little Guiver in her
mouth.
81 believe it is, Barbara Wylie.''
She looked up, starting with 4 sudden
flush of recognition.
And then Barbara turned very pale aud
began to cry, wrta the little golden>hai-ed
girl clingiug TO hcI skirts. and waihng-
" Mamma, mamma-what's the matter,
mamma -
=" Nothing. now, said Barbara; resolutelv
brushing away the tears. .'lf you please
Mr.. Briggs. | will l2ok at the house; | am a
widow ROW, and very poor, and-ant thina
OF keeping boarding house TO earn nv
daily bread. / hope the rent is Eot very
high?"
We'll talk about the rest afterward," said
Nahum, fisrceIy swallowing down a big lump
in his throat that threatened to choke him
!" Come here, little girl, and kiss me; used
to know your mamma when she wasn't much
larger ;han YOU are
Barbara with her blue ewes still droopins
went all over the house without finiins Il
word OF fault, and Nahum Briggs walked by
her side, wondering if it aas really fifteen
years since the June sunshine lay so Brightly
ON the clover field.
tlliih lNc house Ia ttFCilIut, Salu meek
Barbara. Viii YOU rc,t to me, Nahum ?''
2--"well, yes,'' said Nahum, thoughtfully.
I'll let you have my house if yo1 want il,
Barbara" r.
With the privilege Of keeping few
boarders p
mo ma'dm.' ~
Barbara stopped and looked tistfdlly at
him.
But don't think tou understand how
poor am, Mr.. Brisgs.'
Yes. do
"And that | carnot afford to take the
house without the privilege of boarders?r
"I'll Tell you how, Barbara" said Mr..
Briggs, dictatorialiy,' I'll give you the priv,-
lsge OF keeping just enc boarder. and him
you. have cot 10 keep all your life long, if
you once take him.
.' | don't think I quite understand vou,
Nahum Briggs said Bsroata; but she blush>
ed very becorning.y; and we are rather in>
clined to think she told a very naughty little
fb.
:, Wha. do you say to me for boarder,
Barbara?' said the old bachelor, taking
both the widows hands in his I" Barbara,
We were young tools once, bat that is no rea-
SOU why we should be old fools now. like
you as well as i ever did, and I'll do r,s Best
TO be good husband to you, ard a good
father to your little girl, if .ctll be my
wife," r.zr.r..
Barbara blushed again, and hesitated, ttt
Nahum was not to be eludeI thus.
''Siall l take down the 10 Let Barba.
ra?"
YES" she murmured almost under her
breath.
So Nahum went deliberately out and cool.
ly tore down the bill, to the great astonish-
inent and disappointment of party of rabld
house>huntcrs WHO were just ascending the
steps.
And when shall we be married; hafba.
ta ?" he demanded
.' In the summer, perhaps" said Mrs. Bar
bara. shyIy.
"To-m,rrow," =" said Nahum, dec:Eiyely,
and tomorrow it was
Upon ny word, BARBARA said Nahum,
on The first day of May. as he watched his
.wifes blooming face behind the coffee urn;
you cant think how hitch jolller it is with
5ou for housekeeper, than that bag, Mrs.
Parley1
Barbara only laughed. and said ii he vas
dear, good old stupid"
80 the probabilities are that neither Mr..
Nahum Briggs nor his brown stone house
will be in the market again as !. To Let
Inquire Within
Two boot-blacks of New York are to have
i trial Of ,kill for the Cham mpioush:p Cf
srnetic,i'