The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-04-08
A STROKE OF BUSINESS.

I peeped in timidly, but to my great de-
light he was alone.
MY dear Miss Bernice," 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 would never have bearded the old fel-
low Ia his den for nothing"
There is a great deal the matter" said
I, desperately, as l began to feel my nicely
prepared speech slipping entirely away
from me.
II am sorry to hear it," he replied,
looking grave Immediately, and evidently
expecting some overwhelming communi-
cation.
tried to begin as had intended, but
it would not come, and exhausted with
nervous excitement, | burst into tears
Then, everything came out in a perfect
stream, without being sorted at all ; and
there was the strangest mixture of all my
hopes and fears, and projects, and my in
tention of buying house in the same
breath that acknowledged myself unable
to pay for one room, until my hearer look
ed quite stunned, and evidently began to
vsondor if had Lost my senses.
Then he looked amused, and presently
he said
'My dear girl, there is no need of cry
| ing; let us examine this matter nationally.
You wish, you say, to buy small house,
that you may have a more desirable room
for your school, and lessen the expense of
rent. Strikes me as a particularly sensi-
BILE idea AS to the money part, you will
not be obliged to pay the whole sum down.
How much have you at your command ?''
Il have just one thousand dollars in the
world" / replied, shortly.
some thousand dollars ;" repeated Mr.,
Portman, in amazement. "You cannot
really mean it The daughter of my old
friend Edward Mapleton reduced to this
| Why did YOU not let me know this be-
fore ?"
Il would not have told you now" said
| L, proudly, .had you not asked me-"
| The old gentleman walked about the of
fce shaking his head in a very disappro-
wing way "Poor child SAID ne, poor
child ~
II am not SO very much to be pitied, y
said I, determined to assert myself to the
last II have youth and health, and al
| though I do labor under the disadvantage
of being a woman, intend to accomplish
something yet [ will never be depen-
dent on any one, except for kindness; but
if you are willing, Mr.. Portman, to lend
me whatever is required above my thous,
and"
"Willingp' he exclaimed, warmly Il
would be willing, Bernice, to do far more,
but if this is the only assistance you will
II ond lOnlr OF tho
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
IA Indifferent way, "Yes-neat little house
owner going West-No 50 Lumbago
street"
Mr. Portman eyed every part of the
house very critically, and when the agent
left US for a moment, he told me that 1t
was very well built, and that the price.
$1,000, was exceedingly moderate.
you could probably get $4,000 for it,
after little time, if you wished to sell, .
said he.
This was a new view of the case, and it
set me thinking more desperately than
ever. Make clear 81 900 after paying
Mr.. Portman what L owed him, and thus
double my money! 1t was quite excl
ting, and felt disposed to go at once into
the real estate business. F.,-
The end of all was that the house be-
came mine, at least nominally, for [ always
felt that it really belonged to Mr.. Port
man and when the deed was executed
and placed in my hands, almost doubted
my own identity. My aesthetic soul, how
ever. received a severe shock In the word
ing Of the document, wherein | was