Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-03-24
A STROKE OF BUSINESS.

My dear Miss Bernicei'' he exclaimed,
warmly taking me by both hands; this is
indeed a pleasure Sit right down here, and
tell me what is the matter, for know you
never would have bearded the old fellow in
his den for nothing
There is great deal the matter" said
| desperately. as began to feel my nicely
prepared speech slipping entirely away from
me.
II am sorry to hear it, he replied, look
ing grave Immediately, and evidently ex
pected some overwhelming communication.
| tried to begin as had intended, but it
would not COM, and exhausted with nerv-
Gus excitement burst into tears. Then every
thing came out in a perfect stream, without
being sorted" at all; and there was the
strangest mixture of my hopes and fears and
project, and my intention of buying house
in the same breath that acknowledged my
self unable to pay for one room, until my
hearer looked quite stunned, and evidently
began to wonder if 1 had lost my senses
Then he looked amused, and presently he
said my dear girl, there is no need of
crying let US examine this matter rational
ly. You wish, you say, to buy small house,
that you may have more desirable room
for your school, and lessen the expense of
rent; strikes me as particularly sensible
idea. As to the money part you will not be
obliged to pay the whole sum down; how
much have you at your command ?''
hax 81 I'LL IL
world l replied, shortly.
One thousand dollars p repeated Mr.
| Portman, in amazcment. 'You can not re-
ally mean it ! The daughter of my old friend
Edward Mapleton reduced to this Why
did you not let me know it before?'
Il would not have told you now," said
proudly, "had you not asked me-
| The old gentleman walked about the office,
shaking his head in a very disa pproving
way. Poor child - said he, 'poor child -
II am not SO very much to be pitied, ~
said l. determined to assert myself to the
last; 81 have youth and health, and al
though do labor under the disadvantage
of being woman, intend to accomplish
something yet. will never be dependent
on any one except for kindness /; but if you
are willing, Mr.. Portman, to lend me what
| ever is required above my thousand
Willing !" he exclaimed warmly II
would be wiling Bernice, to do far more
but if this is the only assistance you will ac-
cept, let us go at once and look at the house. ~
My heart was considerably lightened as
we set forth, and directed our steps to No.
40 Plum street. We found Messrs Broad
and Long in the shape of one hard looking
gentleman, who was neither broad nor long,
excepting By name.
He eyed us critically. and then said in an
Indifferent way ''Yes-neat little house
owner going West. No. 90 Lumbago Street.
Mr. Portman examined every part of the
house very critically, and when the agent
left US for a moment he told me that it was
very Well built, and that the price, $4,000,
was exceedingly moderate.
'You could probably get $4,000 for it,
after little time, if you wished to sell, -
said he
This was new view of the case and it
set me thinking more desperately than ever.
Make clear $1,000, after paying Mr., Port
man what | owed him. and thus double
my money! 1t was quite exciting; and l
felt disposed to go at once into the real es-
tate business.
The end of all was that the house became
mine at least nominally, for 1 always felt
that it really belonged to Mr.. Portman and
when the deed was executed and placed in
my hands almost doubted my own identi-
ty. Ny aesthetic soul, however, received a
severe shock in the wording of the document,
wherein l was stigmatized as 'Bernice
Mapleton, spiaster ~ How much more
agreeable to my feelings the term ''damsel'
or maiden would have been l tried to
remember that | was twenty-fo four; but
''splnster' sounded like forty, at least.
Splinter or not, though the house was mine !;
and |, almost a pauper, was actually prop
erty holder
Now" said Mr. Portman, cheerfully,
when the matter was all arranged, Il really
think Miss Bernice, this is the brightest
thing you have done for many day."
That you have done, you mean," MUIR
INJURED.
No. he replied stoutly, my noddle didn't t
hatch out the plan at all the credit of it
belongs to you. And, unless 1 am false
prophet, your fortunes will turn from this
very day.
Mr.. Portman knew of young married
couple, just from Maine, who would be glad
to occupy the remainder of my house; and
before long they were installed there, at a
rent that covered all expense, and left my
school room rent free began to have
quite a respect for my business qualities.
The bride was just the sweetest little thing
that ever saw and she would bring her
sewing into the school-room, and listen to
my style of teaching, and declare that she
ought to be regularly entered as pupil,
and pay her tuition fee like the others.
took great pride in my new school room !;
and two new scholars from the neighbor-
hood came to supply the place of those 1
had lost. Every one prophesied brilliant
success for me in the spring, and l looked
quite hopefully forward.