Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-06-11
Selctt storp.
A STROKE OFBUSINESS.

peeped timidly in, but, to my great
delight he was entirely alone.
INV dear Miss Bernice !" heexclaimed,
warmly. taking me by both hands. this
is indeed 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, Is | began TO feel
my nicely prepared speech slipping en-
tirely away from me.
IL am sorry to hear it, he replied, look
ing grave Immediately, and evidently ex-
pecting some overwhelming communica-
ton.
Itried to begin as had intended, but
il would not come, and exhausted with
nervous excitement l burst into tears.
Then every thing came out In n perfect
stream. without being sorted" at all :;
and there was the strangest mixture of
nv hopes and fears and projects, and
intention of buying house in the same
breath that l acknowledged myself una
bic TO pay for one room. until my hearer
looked quite stunned, and evidently be-
gan TO think 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 mat
ter nationally. You wish, YOU say, to
buy small house, that YOU may have n
more desirable room for your school. and
lessen the expense OF rent; this 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 commando"
II have just one thousand dollars in the
world" replied shortly.
One thousand doiIdrS.r repeated Mr..
Portman. in amazement. You cannot
really mean it The daughter Of my old
friend Edward Mapletou reduced to this.
Why did YOU not let me know it before?"
Il would not have told you now,"
said I, proudly, had YOU not asked me."
The old gentleman walk ed about the
Office shaking his head in a very disap-
proving way. Poor child. +" said he, "poor
childr'
Il am not so much TO be pitied,
said l. determined to assert myself to the
last al have youth and health, and al
though do labor under the disadvantage
of being woman, l intend to accomplish
something yet will never be depend
and on any one except for kindness but
if you are willing Mr.. Porman, to lend
me whatever is required above my thou
sand
"Willing~ he exclaimed, warmly; Il
would be willing Berrice, 10 do far
more; but if this is the only assistance
YOU viii accept, let us go at once and
look at the house.
Nv heart was considerably lightened
as we set forth and directing 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 except by name.
He eyed me critically, and then said,
in an indifferent way: ''Yes, neat little
house-present owner going West, No.
80 Lumbago street"
Mr.. Portman examined every part OF
the house critically, and when the agent
left us for a moment he told me that 1t
was very well built, and that the price,
$4,000 was extremely moders.e,
You could probably get $4,000 for it
after little time, if You wish to sell.
said he.
This was new view of the case; and
II set me 10 thinking more desperately
than ever. Make clear $1,000, after
paving Mr.. Portman what l owed him.
and thus double my money! TWAS quite
exciting; and felt disposedt to goat once
into the real estate business.
The end of it all was that the house
became mine, at least nominally, for al
ways felt that it really belonged to Mr..