The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-09-04
Misfeltanfnus.
THE BLACKMANN COTTAGE,
BN JANE @. AUSTIN.

81 THINK we are remarkably lucky
couple Maria," said John Kevin, when
he and his wife had for the fourth time
gone all over their new house and TAX
en- good look from each of the win
dows at the fertile acres surround ing it.
"a good house and forty acres of excel.
lent land for three thousand dollars Is
such bargain H. is not to be met with
every day in the year. lam so glad we
saw the advertisement"
"Ics. And if the house is little old
and not very large, it is at least our
own," replied Maria, cheerfully, as she
put the first dinner upon the table in
her own new kitchen.
Large enough, Maria, large enough
Tor the present lat all events,and if more
room should be needed by-and-by--"
"Come dinner is ready" interrupted
the young wife, blushing brightly, and
the two sat down smiling and content.
To be sure John Kevin's new house
was not II palace either in condition or
size, consisting merely of two rooms,
divided by an entry running through
to back door, with two slant-rooied
bedrooms above them, and little shed
at the back used us scullery or sink
room.
But the kevins were Il simple and
hard-working people, he bred to farm
, ing and she to house-work, and when
at last, by much saving and the help of
Il little inheritance, they were able to
count four thousand dollars bet ween
them, they felt that the future lay in
their own hands, and fearlessly united
their fortunes and their lives.
\ few weeks later, John had come
across the advertisement ofa small farm
to be sold on very favorable terms, and
had hastened to close the bargain. The
owner, II city man, overwhelmed with
business, treated the transaction very
carelessly, accepting, without thought
the terms of payment offered by Kevir
with fear and trembling, and in closing
the bargain said:
81 never saw the properly, Mr. Kevin
1t came into my hands by inheritanc,
the other day, and l sent a broker t.
look at it, ordered some repairs whicl
he said were land left it in hi
hands to sell. | hope you will find i
satisfactory"
"Thank you, NIr. Brewster, | thinl
we shall be very well satisfied, and yol
will find the interest on the mortgag
paid regularly, hope"
"Ies, ! dare say. Goodmorning
Now Winch, what is it ,"
So Mr.. Brewster returned to his indi
ships and California argosies, and JohI
Kevin to his little wife and his newly
acquainted property, feeling considera
bly, the richer of the two.
Dinner was over, and while Mari
cleared away the dishes her HUSBAND
strolled out upon the little green in from
of the house. Here he found whit
haired old man leaning upon staff an
looking curiously about him.
"Good-day to you grandpa" said III
young man, in his CHEEKY voice, an
ready to make friends with all tn
world.
"Good-day, sir, good-day," piped tn
old man. ~ just stopped in going b
to look about me bit. So you're tn
new tenant ."
"Owner if you please, sir" reptile
John, proudly. 81 believe may ca
! house and farm my own"
"He, he, he !" crackled the old maj
leaning with both hands upon his thic
cane, and wagging his old head in uni
. son with his laugh. "When did 40
/. Gomez"
i "This morning. We have just cate
our first dinner" said John, starin
7; with all his might at his strange visitor
n Haven't slept here then"
e "No. Why?"
(Which room do you calculate I
sleep in?
!. "rhat one. Over the kitchen. Why?
swell, would. It's the safest"
ain the name of Heaven, old mal
what do you ." asked John, quit
out of patience,
so nothing. Never mind, Comean
see us when you've mind to. | liv
e next house, My names West. Good
Il day"
"Stop II minute, Mr.. West. How Ion
have you lived next house to this?"
"Eighty-four years, young man.
= was born and brought up in the oil
!. house, married my wife and brougl
e her home there, buried her from there
!. and expect to die there. My son ha
/ built him a smart house right alongsid