The Van Buren press., 1867-02-22
MISCELLANY.
To Let-Inquire Within.

And the lady flounced out in rage
Two young damsels and spinster aun
followed, and after a lengthy inspection
of the premises, came to state counci
in the parlor.
81 like the house very much" said the
spinster aunt solemnly, s. and with a few
alterations, l will engage it for my broth
cr's family"
"Very good, ma'am," said Nahum
rubbing his hands, and scenting speed,
termination to his trials. Name EN-.
"The door handles must all be gildej
and should like the house newly paper
ed in velvet and gold, and repainted, Spd
the partition between the parlors taken
down, and replaced by an arch, and ar
extension dining room built on behind
and bay window thrown ont Of the par
lor, and new style of range in the kitch
en- and dumb waiter put in, and new
bronze chandeliers throughout, and
another furnace in the sub cellar and
Hold on, maam-just hold on one
minute said Nahum, ieebly gasping fol
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 trihing altera-
tions you suggest"
"Sir!" said the spinster loftily
81 don't think we can agree, ma am /"
every well--very Welcome, girls. +"
With prime dignity the lady marshaled
her two charges out, muttering something
about the extortionate ideas of land
lords nowadays"
While Nahum, wildly rumping his iron
grey hair, with both hands, soliloquized.
swell, If Job had been alive, and had
a house to let, there never would have
been any book of Job written There
goes that everlasting bell, again I'll haul
it out by the roots if this thing goes on
much longer. I'll tear down the bell,
and put the place up at Auction"
Another lady, but quite different from
the other--a slender little cast do own lady,
with q head that dropped like lily of
the valley, and dress of brown silk that
had been mended and turned and re-
trimmed, and even Nahum Briggs, man
and bachelor though he was, could see
how very shabby it was. Yet she was
pretty, with big blue eyes and shining
brown hair, and cheeks tinged with fair
heeting color, where the velvety roses OF
youth had once bloomed in vivid carmine
And golden haired little lassie clung to
her dress, as like the tiny lily buds to a
blooming chime Of flower bells.
AS Nahum Briggs stood looking at her,
there came back to him the sunshiny days
of youth--a field Of blooming clover
crimsoncd the June light like waves OF
blood, and buc-cyed girl leaning over
the fence with her bright hair barred with
level sunset gold and he knew that he was
standing face to face with Barbara Wylie.
the girl he had quarrellcd with years aud
years ago, and whose blue.eyes had kept
him an old bachelor all his life along.
"This house is to be let, | believe ?"
she asked timidly, with little culver in
her mouth
| believe it is Barbara Wylic."
She looked up, starting with sudden
flush Of recognition.
And then Barbara turned very pale, and
began to cry, with the little golden haired
girl clinging to her skirts and wailng--
Mamma, mamma what's the matter
mamma p IN. Ilgl TU
Nothing now" said Barbara, reso.
lutcly brushing back the tears. "If you
please, Mr. Briggs, I will look at the
house: am widow now, and very poor
and--and J think Of keeping boarding
house to earn my daily bread. Il hope
the rent is not very hieh?'
"Wc'll talk about tho rent afterwards y
said Nahum, fercey swallowing down a
lump in his throat that threatened to
choke him. "Como here, little girl, and
kiss me, ] used TO know Your mamma
when she wasn't much bigger than you