Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-09-07
THE PRESERVE CLOSET.

Colonel Telnplar sat IN his bachelor
sanctum, where the rays of an April
sunshine shone in lines of glitteriDg
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 meerchaums in different
stages of color, dressing gowns, cigar
boxes, newspapers, and gorgeous velvet
slippers-he contracted his brows mood
lily over letter whose pink paper and
delicate scent of foreign perfume be-
tokened a troublesome lady correspon-
dent
DEAR SIDNEY-Yes, I'm always
dear, when Bertha wants disagreeable
commission executed what hypocrites
women are, to be sure-an eligible
house in some nice locality, it surely
can be no trouble to engage one for us.
No trouble, quothal that's just L wo-
mans random idea No trouble to
rush from pillar to post, house hunting.
Where's the indemnity Of bac chelorhood,
I'd like to see l might as we'll be a
married man in good earnest, if I'm to
be saddled with all the responsibilities
of the thing. | won't be imposed upon
I'll write to Bertha at once aud tell
her
Colonel Templar gave his jet black
moustache savage jerk, and pulled his
writing desk resoutely forward. Then
a softer mood seemed to dawn athwart
his mind-he hesitated, biting the
handle of his pen meditatiyely.
Poor little Bertha-she always was
my pet cousin, and [ 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-weil, the upshot
of the whole matter is that I'm doomed
to victimize myself, and the sooner its
over the better. Heigho! where's the
newspaper? I'll just look over the
TO Lets first aud then I'll go to the
estate agencies.
The sun was peeping from behind
masses of flying clouds, like a shy
beauty who alternately smiles and hides
her face the air was full of faint
spring odors, even in this brick and
mortar wilderness, when Colonel Sidney
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 inter-
esting Moreover, he carried an empty
sleeve, where the left arm should have
been-an everlasting memorial of the
red battle clouds.
1t seems comical enough for ME to go
house hunting, mused Templar, as he
strobe onwards through the dusty
streets. For me, the solitary, homeless
recluse of one-and thirty years old.
Four years ago things appeared differ
entity to me-four years ago might
have dreamed Of a home of my own,
with Marion Caryl's bright eyes to light
up its hearth stone All me-. this is
world of change A careless world
"a little misunderstandin6-and here
l am crippled old soldier, while
Marion is probably making the sunshine
of some other mans life. Hold on-I
am getting maudlin and romantic-eh,
Sidney 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 directed
his attention to the list of eligible res
licences in his pocket book.
no. 4 = street; here's the very
place. Wants painting badly on the
outside, but may present more prom
ising appearance within. At all events
we'll try
He rang the bell, and after a brief
skirmishing of servants in the hall, a
faded lady in dyed silk, and hair in
crimping pins, appeared
is this house to let, madam p in
quired our Colonel deferentially.
well, yes, it's to let, but you can't
see it now
Cant see it now ?
NO. snarled the lady, vindictively.
Hours are between 2 and A.
I'm quite sure the female in the
crimping pins is an old maid, mentally
decided the Colonel, and [ think she
must have breakfasted off broken glass
and cambria needles. wonder if the
people at No. III -- street will be
any more affable.
A pretty blue-eyed woman, in a torn
wrapper, aud slippers down at the heel,
answered the door-bell.
'Can l see this house p meekly ques-
toned Colonel Templar.
Gould you call again in about an
hour p asked the blue-eyed one. MY
husband is out, and we have been SO
troubled with thieves and respectable
looking agents who carried keys with
'em, that
'Oh, l beg your pardon. Under the
circumstances | will not intrude,' said
Colonel Templar, with comic elevation
of his eyebrows. Perhaps. however,
you will be good enough to observe that
l leave the door-mat behind me, entire
ly safe