The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-03-12
To Let-Inquire Within.

And the lady founced out in rage.
Two young ladies and spinster aunt
followed, and after lengthy inspection
of the premises, came to state council
in the parlor.
81 like the house very much" said the
spirster aunt solemnly, "and with few
alterations | will engage it for my broth
er's family"
VERY good" said Nahum, rubbing his
hands, and scenting speedy termination
to his trials. "Name EN-"
"The door handles must all be gilded,
and should like the house newly a
pered in velvet and gold, and repa:nted,
and the partition between the two par
lors'taken down and replaced by an arch,
and an extension dining built on be-
hind, and bay window thrown out of
the parlor, and new style of range in
the kitchen, and dumb waiter put in,
and new bronze chandeliers throughout,
and another furnace in the sub-cellar,
and"
"Hold on, ma'am-just hold on one
minute, " said Nahum, feebly gasping for
breath. "Wouldn't you like the old
house carted away, and a new one put in
Its place? think it would be rather less
trouble than to make the triAing altera
tions you suggest.
Sir! said the spinster loftily.
II don't think we can agree ma am"
Every well-very Welcome girls"
With prim dignity the lady marshaled
her two charges out ,muttering something
about the "extortionate ideas of landlords
now adays.'''
While Nahum, wildly rumpling his
iron-gray hair with both hands, solilo-
quized
"Well, If Job had been alive and had
house to let, there never would have
been any book Of Job written. There
goes that everlasting bell again; III haul
it out by the roots if This thing goes on
much longer. I'll tear down the bell aud
put the place up at auction"
Another lady, but quite different from
the other-a slender, little, cast down lady,
with head that droeped Ii e lilly of
the valley, and dress of brown silk that
had been mended, and darned and turned
and retrimmed, and even Nshrm Briggs,
man and bachelor though he was could
sac it. Yet she was pretty, with big blue
eyes and shiny brown hair, and checks
tinged with fair, feeting color, where
the velvety roses of youth had once
bloomed in vivid carmine. And golden
haired little lassie clung to her dress, as
like her as tiny lilly buds to bloomed
chime of flower bells
As Nahum Briggs stood looking at her
there came back to him the sunsh,ny
days of youth-a field of blooming clio
yer erimsoned the June light, like wave:
of blood, and a hlue-eyed girl leaning
over the fence with her bright hair barred
with level sunset gold, aud he knew tha
he was standing face to face with Barbar;
Wyle, the girl he had quarreled will
years ago, and whose blue eyes had KEEP
him an old bachelor all his life long.
':This house is to be let, believer" sh,
asked timidly, with culver in he
mouth. e
! Il believe it is, Barbara Wyle y -
| She looked up, starting with sudder
flush of recognition.
i And then Barbara turned very pale
and began to cry, with the little golden
haired girl clinging to her skirts, ant
, wailing-.
"Mamma, mamma-whats the matter
mammal" a
Nothing now" said Barbara, ,resolute
!, ly brushing away the tears IF 20,
please, Mr.. Briggs, | will look at tn
house. l am widow. now, and yer,
poor, and-and | think of keeping
boarding house to earn my daily bread
/ | hope the rent is not very high?
!, "We'll talk about the rent afterwards,
3 said Nahum, fercely swallowing down
! big lump in his throat that threatened t
e choke him. "Come here, little girl, an
kiss me. used to know your mamm
: when she wasn't much bigger than yo
c are"
Barbara,with her blue eyes still droop
: ing, went all over the house without fnd
e ling a word of fault. and Nahum Brigg
e walked at her side, wondering if it wa
. really fifteen years since the June sun
e shine lay SO brightly on the clover field
: 81 think the house is beautiful" sal
meek Barbara. "Will you rent it to me
9 Nahum"
e SWELL, yes" said Nahum, thoughtful
e ly. "rll let you have my house if 20
! want it, Barbara" " -
d with the privilege Of keeping fe
J. boarders?"
) "No, ma am"
Barbara stopped and looked at hi
wistfully.
"But l don't think you understan
how very poor l am, Mr.. Briggs"
IS eyes, do"
) sand that cannot afford to take th
It house without the privilege Of boarders?
s ''l'll tell you what, Barbara" said NJ
: Briggs, dictatorially, an give you th
!; privilege of keeping just one boarder, an
e him you have got to keep all your Iii
n long, if you once take him."
e IL don't think | quite understand yo,
! Nahum Briggs" said Barbara, but ST
= blushed very becomingly, and we al
h rather inclined to think she told naugl
t. ty little ib.
! "What do you say to me for boarde
e Barbara" said the old bachelor, takin
s. both the widows hands in his. "Barbar
g we were young fools once, but that is I
% reason why We should be old fools nov
; | like you as well as ever did. and T.
is do nv hest IN he q Unod husband tn uo,