The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-06-04
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY

frank-looking fellow Of some two or three an
thirty summers: al was Just going to ask . n
vor Of you"
Tho money market Is pretty tight just now,
muttered Mr.. Bunker, but
'Oh, It hasn't anything to do with the none!
Market interrupted Nair. Mr.. Bunker bright
sned perceptibly, Ike . fat cabbage-hesd sfte
shower. 'only I'm obliged to 80 to Detroi
for week on business, and I feel little nerr
Gus about leaving Clara and the children, %,
you'd just take up your quarters there, and 30
that things are al right during my absence
with . great deal Of pleasure interrupte'
Mr.. Bunker, for, like John ailpin Of old, III
had thrifty mind and thought Of the boar
blu which would thereby be saved his purse
Stay away just Is long as you like, my dea'
fellow. Ill keep an eye to your interests.
you see I wouldn't trouble you, only ClAr'
Is nervous and timid. like our little Sybil"(Mr.
Bunker's oountensnce here became rippld By
little smirk) They arc wonderfully alike
sir, those two sisters
alike, are theyf said Mr.. Bunker, mentally
thinking that here would be an excellent oppor'
tunity to study something Of his swcetheart'i
character. at second hand.
As two peas. And you see, Mr.. Bunker,
added Mr.. Nair, loosely, 1T viii be nict
chance for you to get your hand in at house
keeping. or course you and sybil mean te
have home Of your own.'
'Oh, certainly, certainly Two had quite
enough Of hotel life; and, besides you've No
idea how horribly expensive II is. Why, mar
can't get decent board short Of eight dollars q
week, and there is washing-another dollar
Nine dollars week, sir-why It's positively
outrageous! And I've always heard that two
could live cheaper than one, for
'Oh. there's no kind Of doubt about IT, put
In Nair, coughing violently behind . poke,
handkerchief And you'll come early to-mor-
row morningi leave on the seven train.
You'll find my check book in the secretary.
Clara will give you the keys
AN right, SIR quoth Mr.. Bunker.
Early as It was when no arrived next morn
ing he found Mrs. Nair impatiently awaiting bis
coming.
.I'm so glad to see you, Mr.. Bunker, for
Call me Hcrodotus,' he blandly interposed.
4 shall soon be your brother
'Hcrodotus. them said Clara, with IN invol-
untary twist Of her cherry lips, because ste-
phcn forgot to give me the money for the weeks
housekeeping bills
'How much Is iti'
Seventy dollars
Mr. Bunker started rs II he had been shot.
and regarded Clara imprcssivcly tbroagt. sis
spectacles.
Mrs. Nair, do hear you afightf Did you
say seventy dollars, or sevenf
Seventy, It's what I always hsve.'
Does II cost seventy dollars q week to keep
houset'
We'll, yes, generally. Some weeks I have
managed with sixty, but seventy Is our general
average. like to have things NICE added Mrs.
Nair, demurely; and dear Sybil is just like me.
And while you arc about It, Mr.. Bunkcr-Hcr-
odotus, mcan-you may rs well give me ten
dollars. sybii and arc going shopping to-day
and we must have carriage
Wouldn't Il be more healthy to walkf'
.oh, sybil could never stand the fatigue'
Omnibus fare is
Mrs. Nair frownoi. DO you imagine
would expose sybil to the crush and inconveni-
ence Of common omnibus'
MIR. Bunker handed over the ten dollars cI-
ira without word.
SIS there anything clse,' he asked, in . tone
Of voice meant to be satirical, but the satire was
lost on Mrs. Nair.
'Oh, yes, Hcrodotus; want you to stop as
you 70 down town and take private box at the
opera. Proscenium, I would prefer. sybil will
20 with us-dear Sybil, she does 30 dote on mu-
sic. or course you'll take box by the season,
when you are married; It's 30 much more eco
nomical.'
Economically gaspcd Mr.. Bunker, growing
very red in the face. TO my mind the opera
Is always q ridiculous pioce Of cItravagancer
Clara Nair laughed. 'Oh,I know you're q
little old-fashioned about such things, but Sybil
viii make you over!'
When Mr.. Bunker returned to dinner, Sybil
was there, smiling and lovely as Q Peri, TO serve
as sauce for the roast fowls and gumbo soup.
Mr.. Bunkcr's melancholy reflections vanished,
his grim facc lighted up. Clara watched him
intcntly.
The dose wasn't quite powerful enough she
thought. Il wish Sybil wouldn't look 80 pro-
vokinsly pretty
So after dinner she brought the slippers smil-
ingly TO her brother-in-law elect and lighted his
cigar with her own fair hands.
'Sybil won't be jealous Of me- she said arch
ly. by the way, HerodOtus. cook wants her
months wages
Mr.. Bunker di,ei down into the cspacious
depths Of his pocket.
How much Is itF
Twenty dollars
'Mrs. Nsir Is II possible that you pay your
cook that c1-trav-a-gant sum Of money. why
don't you do your own cookingP
DO hear him, Sybil,' appealed the matron to
her sister. .How little no knows about the
women Of the day. How much you'll have "a
teach him, my dear
but why don't you = persisted Mr.. Bunker.
MY mother always cooked for her family
20, Sybil and were never brought up to
work. sybil don't even know where the kitchen
Ii at home '
sybil was just opening her lips to contradict
this boldly hassried assertion, when Mrs, Nair
trod energeticaly upon the toe Of her gaiter, and
checked the rising words.
Thank you. Hsrodotus.' she said. ~ tho dis
comftted bachelor silently disSorsci the requir'
Cd sum Of money. And now. IL sybil will e1.