The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-07-19

ei'tlhSFOoM Wnen She went down stairs,
reclining on a chintz cushioned sofa,
with his head on pillow, and a news
paper in his hand
"How do you feel to-day, Gilbert?''
said she smilingly.
He shook his head.
"There's very uncomfortable sens
alton at the pit of my stomach,' ans
wcrcl he dolorously, "and pain in my
spinal column. I'm afraid l am not
destined to be long-lived -
"It's only the heart of early summer,
DEAR" she suggested; and then she told
him her plans relative to increasing
their dwindling income by taking a
boarder. Mr.. Littlcield sank back
among his pillows, closing his eyes,
With a groan.
"Boarders!' he hollowly echoed.
"Boarlers! So it has come to that"
"It would be very little trouble,
DEAR" pleaded his wife, "and would
materially add to our funds. Wouldn't
it, Jenny, dear?" appealing to her
s;ster, who had just come in with a
bunch Of fragrant swect-willianls and
silvcr-green southernwood.
lit would be capital fun, I think"
said Miss Jenny, who was something of
an optimist in her dispositson.
"To think" repeated Mr.. Littlefeld,
without opening bis eyes, "that it has
come to that"
Jenny turned sharply round upon
him.
ut needn't have come to that
said she, elf you had stood to your
oars, and minded your business like a
man, instead Of persuading yourself
that you had all the diseases in the
caldnder. You are as we'll as anybody
Gilbert Littlefcll, and l haven't a
grain of patience with all your fanciel
ailments"
"Jenny!' cried the shocked wife.
''It's true!" flashed back defiant
Jenny.
Don't mind her, JESSIE" said Mr..
Littleield, with an air of suffering res
ignation.
"Lct her hurl abuse at me, if she
likes. / am accustomed to that sort of
thing. She don't know what 1 have to
endure. Yes, Jessie, do as you
please"
Jessie Littlefeld fitted up the big
front room with clintz and muslin and
snowy bed linen, until it was pretty and
fresh and cozy enough to tempt any
one. And at last Mr.. Pierce, the fat
landlord IF the Poseegee Hotel sent
word that ga single gentleman desired
aroom and good substantial farmhouse
board, with attendance; also, that he
was willing to pay seven dollars week
for the same.
Jevcn dollars!!' cried Jessie, the
brown eyes sparkling.
"Seycn dollars!" echoed Jenny, her
blue orbs telegraphiug back her respon-
sive satisfaction. "Wont it be
nice?"
And she put on her bonnet and
shawl at once, to &, and tell Mr.. Pierce
that the offer was accepted.
The new boarler came that self-same
afternoon-a fat, short-winded little
man, with sharp eyes, and no apparent
brows, double chin, and voice shrill
and bigh-pitched.
"Ah, ah!' commenced Mr.. Peckle-
thorpe, in which euphonious name the
stranger rejoiced.
"This is the place. Low land;
swamp back of the house; fronts to the
west; must be very unhealthy. What
Aye say! My room looks to the south?
That's .better-ha, ha, ha! Up stairs?
don't like stairs; interfere with regular
action of the heart. No feather-beds
for me; husk mattresses, linen sheets,
hair pillows. Carpet on the floor? Up
it must come. Dust bad for lungs;
and I'm sad invalid. Eth, sir, what S
the matter! You sick!' as his glance
fell for the first time upon Mr.. Little
fields rccumbcnt form. General de-
cline, eh? no prominent symptoms; gen
eral falling away; pains everywhere;
nervous system Frustrated; lack OF
appetite? Eth? My case exactly" And
Mr.. Pecklethorpe ended his long string
of sentences with a groan. "But
there's one consolation for you and me,
sir; we can't live long; our days are
numbered. Life's but a shadow.-one
comfort, one comfort! And now, ma ain
if you please" to Mrs. Littlefeld, "I'l
60 up SO my room, if you'll send one Of
the boys with my trunks. Jessie &Jeny
carried the long array of trunks, pack
;nu cosns hath.tuhs air cushions and