The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-08-27
TOILET INQUIRE WITHIN.
The lady flounced out in n rago.

iouoWeu, anu alter lengthy inspection o.
the premises, came TO q state council In
the parlor. ~ like the house very much, '
said the spinster aunt solemnly, ''and with
o few alterations. ! will engage Il for my
brothers family"
VERY well, ma'am," said Nahum, rub.
bing his hands, and scenting n speedy ter
mination to his trials. "Name en-"
''The door handles must all be gilded,
and / should like tho house newly papered
in velvet and gold, and repainted, and the
partition between the parlors taken down
and replaced by an arch, and an extension
dining-room built on behind, and new
style Of range In the kitchen, and dumb
waiter put In, and new bronze chandeliers
throughout, and"
"Hold on. ma ;am-just hold on one min
e"said Nahum. feebly gasping for breath.
Wouldn't you like the old house carted
away and new one put In Its placep I
think 1t would be rather less trouble than
to make the triHing changes you suggest"
"Sir" said the spinster, loftily.
81 don't think we can agree, ma'am."
''Very well-very well. Come, girls"
With prim dignity the lady marshalled
hCA WV HCo Ouly boiiCtiAAS
about tho extraordinary ideas of landlords
now-a-days."
While Nahum, wildly rumpling his IRON
gray hair with his hands, soliloquised:
"Well, If job had been alive, and had u
house to let, there never would have been
any book of Job written. There goes that
everlasting bell again! I'll haul II out by
the roots IL this thing goes on much longer.
I'll tear down the bill and put up the place
ut auction"
Another lady-but quite different from
the other-a slender little cast down lady,
with head that dropped like lily of the
valley and q dress of brown silk, that had
been Inended and turned and rctrimmed.
and even Nahum Briggs, man and bachelor
though he was, could see how shabby 1t
was. Yet she was pretty, with big. blue
eyes and shining brown hair and cheeks
tinged with fair. flceting color, where
the velvety roses of youth had once bloom
ed In vivid carnine. And u golden-haired
lassie clung to her dress, rs the tiny lily
buds to blooming chime of flower bells.
As Nahum Briggs stood looking at her.
there came back to him the sunny days OF
youth, n field of blooming clover crimsoned
the juno light like waves of blood, and u
blue-eyed girl leaned over the fence with
her bright hair barred with level sunset
gold, and he knew he was standing face
to face with Barbara Wylie, the girl he had
quarreled with years and years ago, and
whose blue eyes had kept him IN old bach
elor all his life long.
"This house Is to be let, believer" she
asked timidly, with little quivcr in her
mouth.
IL believe 1t is. Barbara Wylic."
She looked up, starting with sudden
blush of recognition.
And then Barbara turned very pale. and
began to weep, with the little golden.hair-
ed girl clinging to her skirts, and wailing.
Mamma, mamma-what's the matterp"
"Nothing, now," said Barbara, resolute-
ly brushing away the tears.
IF you please, Mr.. Briggs, I will look
ut the house; am widow now, and very
poor, and thinkOf keeping boarding
house to earn my daily bread. i hope the
rent Is not very high"
"We'll talk about the rent aftcrward,"
said Nahum, fierccly swallowing down n
big lump in his throat that threatened to
choke him.
"Comc here, little girl, and kiss me; I
used TO know your mamma when she
wasn't bigger than you arc"
Barbara, with her blue eyes still droop-
ing, went all over the house without find
ing word of fault, and Nahum Briggs
walked Mt her side, wondering IL II was
really fifteen years since the june sunshine
lay so brightly on the clover field.
81 think the house is beautiful" said
meek Barbara. Will you rent 1t to me,
Nahum ?"
swell. yes." said Nahum thoughtfully.
'1'll let you have my house If you want
II, Barbara"
"With the privilege Of keeping few
boariers ?"
mo, ma'am !"
Barbara stopped and looked wistfully
Mt him.
..But don't think you understand how
very poor am, Mr.. Briggs"
'Yes, do"
.'And that cannot afford to take the
house without the privilege Of boardcrs ?"
"I'll tell you what, Barbara" said Mr..
Briggs, dictatorially," I'll give you the
privilege of keeping just one boarder, and
him, you have got to keep NIL your life
long, If you once take him."
81 don't think l quite understand you,
Nahum Briggs" said Barbara, but she
blushed very becomingly, and we are RI
ther inclined to think that SHE told u
naughty little fib.
"What do you say to me for u boarder,
Barbara ?" said the old bachelor, taking
both the widows hands in his. Barbara,
we were young fools once. but that Is no
reason why we should be old fools now.
like you rs well rs / ever did, and I'll
do my best to he good husband to you,
and good father to your little girl, If
You'll be my wife,"
Barbara blushed again. and hesitated,
but Nahum was not TO be deluded thus.
"Shall l take down the sign To Let"
Barbara P"
EYES," she murmurcd almost under her
breath.
So Nahum went deliberately out, and
coolly tore down the bill. to the great as-
tonishment and disappointment of party
of rabid house hunters, who were Just as
cending the steps.
"And when shall we he married, Bar
bara ?n he next demanded.
"In the summer. perhaps, said Barbara,
slyly.
Tomorrow" said Nahum, decisivcly,
and tomorrow" II was.
Upon my word, Barbara" said Ma
hum. on the first day of May, rs he watch
ed his wife's blooming face behind the
coffee urn. '.you can't think how much iol.
lier 1t is with you for n housckeeper than
that hag, Mrs. Farley"
Barbara only laughed. and said .'he was
dear good old stupid"
So the probabilities are that neither Mr..
Nahum Briggs nor his brown stone house
will be in the market again rs ITO let
inquire within"
BedfiW~.