The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-09-18
THE PRESERVE CLOSET.


THE PRESERVE CLOSET
"Upon my word, this is the coolest
proceeding ever knew"
Colonel Templar sat in his bachelor
sanctum, where the rays of On April
sunshine shone in lines of glittering
gold among the Neapolitan violets in
the window, and drove the little
canary half wild with silver-voiced
delight-a sanctum crowded with
miscellaneous confusion of meer-
chaums in different stages of color,
dressing-gown, cigar boxes, newspa-
pers, and gorgeous velvet slippers =
he contracted his brows moodily over
htter whose pink paper and deli
cate scent of foreign perfume be-
tokened troublesome correspond
ent.
'tDEAR SYDNEY" Yes, I'm always
"dear" when Bertha wants q disa-
greable commission executed-what
hypocrites women are, to be sure
"an eligible house somewhere in some
nice locality, it surely can be no
trouble to engage one for u.s." No
trouble, quotha! that's just woman's
random idea! No trouble to rush
from pillar to post house hunting.
Where's the indemnity of bachelor
hood, I'd like to know? I might as
well be q married man in good ear
nest, if am to to be saddled with
all the responsibility of the thing.
I'll write to Bertha at once, and tell
her.
Colonel Templar gave his jet black
moustache n savage jerk, and pulled
his writing desk resolutely forward.
Then q softer mood seemed to dawn
athwart his mind-he hesitated,
biting the handle of his pen medi-
tatively.
'Poor little Bertha-she always
was my pet cousin, and I suppose it
is rather inconvenient for her to come
all the way here to look for house,
and her husband will be in India till
the middle of May, and-well, the
upshot of the whole matter is that
I'm doomed to victimize myself, and
the sooner it is over the better.
Heigho! where's the newspaper? I'll
just look over the TO Lets first,
and then I'll go to the estate agen.
cies."
The sun was peeping from behind
masses of flying clouds, like a sly
beauty who alternately smiles and
hides her face-the air was full of
faint odors, even in this brick and
mortar wilderness, when Colonel Syd-
ney Templar sailed bravely forth,
armed and equipped with various
references, directions. and addresses,
to engage in the momentous business
of house-hunting. He was not
handsome man, yet you would have
turned involuntarily to look after
him, as he sauntered by, attracted
by the deep, smothered fire of his
dark eyes, and the firm outline of
his lips. No, Colonel Templar was
not handsome, but he was what the
ladies term Interesting. Moreover,
he carried an empty sleeve where the
left arm should have been-an ever
lasting memorial of the red battle
clouds.
cit seems comical enough for me
to go house-hunting," mused Tenn
plar, as he strobe onward through
the dusty streets. ''For me, the soil
tary, homeless recluse of one-and-
thirty years old. Four years ago,
things appeared differently to me
four years ago, I might have dreamed
Of a home of my own with Marion
Caryrs bright eyes to light up its
hearth-stone. ALI me! this is world
of change. A careless word, little
misunderstanding, and here I am
crippled old soldier, while Marion is
probably the sunshine of some other
mans life. Hold on, I am getting
maudlin and romantic; eh, Sydney
Templar. This will never do, old
fellow"
The Colonel gave his heavy black
locks backward toss, as if impatient
at his own folly, and vigorously di-
rected his attention to the list of
eligible residences in his pocket
book.
"No. Al - street; here's the very
place. Wants painting badly on the
outside, but may present more pro-
missing appearance within. AT all
events, we'll try. "a
He rang the bell, and brief skirm-
ichipo of oo.yop fo ~, f1,a boIl n fo1o1