Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-09-26
HOW A BACHELOR CHANGED HIS
MIND.

"TRAHP, tramp, tramp! Pray, Mrs
Mellck, is a regiment marching over this
house, OF has a private mad asylum taken
possession of it? 1t would be relief to
my mind to know the worst"
Mr.. Sempronius SiverlOn stood erect
and bristlng, in the middle Of the floor,
in a gorgeous scarlet and maroon dress
ing gown, slippers with spaniels heads
glittering with Indignation. Mrs. Mel
lick, his landlady, quaked before his
glance.
I'm sure, Mr. Siverton, I'm very sorry,
and | can only hope no oflense will be
took, when none is intended; but when
there's Il TO Let on the house, the law de-
mands as it should be showed to all as is
civil and decent-spOken, between the
hours Of twelve and four. But, Mr.. Siver-
toll"
"Househuntcrs, eh ?" snarled Mr. Sem
pronius. II wish | had the settling of
them. But tell you what Mrs. Mellick,
admit any one of them into this room at
your peril maam! Do you hear? am
not Il wild beast in a menagerie, to be eX-
hibited to every one who has a permit
from the landlord, and | won't stand it!
Do you hear, ma'am? | won't stand It'll"
And Mrs. Mellick fled from the infuri
ated presence Of her best bOarder, SO to
speak, routed to the death.
"I3's dreadful trying" said the meek
and much enduring woman to Eliza Ann,
her freckled niece, 'but there's one bless
ing-he's to be married in few months.
pity his wife"
81 don't" said Eliza Ann. "He's kind
enough, if you only manage him little; a;
and he pays his way like a prince! I'm
sure I'll be sorry when he's gone! Hark!
there goes the doorbell again"
"Its more of them tormenting house
hunters" groaned Mrs. Mellick. /" You
go this time, Eliza Ann, and for the life of
you, don't let them 90 near Mr.. Siverton's
room"
And Eliza Ann, only staying for mo-
ment to see if the bow of blue ribbon in
her saucy tresSes was straight, hurried to
answer the tinkling summons
Two ladies, radiant in spring bonnets
that were all narcissus buds and yellow
ribbon, and rustling in silk lounces, stood
there-two ladies who put the stereotyped
question:
g Is this house to ret?'
"Why, Blanche Beames" cried Eliza
Ann Mellick; "is it possible that this is
you?"
Miss Blanche Beames looked with some
ungraCiOusness at poor, shabby, hard
worked little Eliza Ann, halfdisposed to
forget that she had sat on the same bench
with her at the establishment for young
ladies, kept by Madame Farrell lin
everyday life Mrs Farelly). For Blanche
was dressed like a young queen, and
glOved and booted to perfection, while a
real India scarf was looped artistically
across her shoulders, and her black silk
polonaise was trimmed, inch deep, with
thread lace.
Yes" said Blanche, CTS me. hope
you are well, Eliza Ann. Aunt Sophie
and | are looking for an eligible resi-
dence; l suppose we can see this One.n
Yes" said Eliza Ann, rather chilled
by the frigid reception of her delighted
recognition. It's a very nice place. My
Aunt Mellick keeps boarders here"
"Boarders ~ echoed Miss Beames, draw
ing back the silken fiounces, lest they
should by any possibility come in con
tact with the faded calico skirts of Eliza
Ann, the plebeian, 6 How very COM
mOn!"
"Oh, but they're quite nice people,"
said Eliza Ann, mistaking the meaning
of Miss Blanche. 'Very genteel, assure
you"
81 dare say" said Miss Blanches aunt,
in patronizing, mellifluous way "But
dear Blanche is so fastidious, and just
about to be married, you know"
Married! !" echoed Eliza Ann, stopping
short with the instructive interest that
every female shows on the subject of mat
rimony.
Miss Blanche laid hold of the door
handle of Mr. Siverton's room at this mo-
ment, and gave it an energetic shake.
us THIS door locked?" demanded she,
sharply Why won't it open?"
ON, please don't" faltered Eliza Ann,
"its one of our boarGers, a verv particu.
lar gentleman, and III tell YOU ali about
the room, only he won't let ANYBODY in,n
"a pretty idear' said Blanche Beames
| aoiU get in!'
But, please, you mustn't, Blanche
DEAR" pleaded poor Eliza Ann. "He,s
such a nice gentleman, wouldn't offend
him for the worldn'
"Perhaps he don't know" said Miss
Beames, purposely elevating her voice,
"that we are looking with the intention of
buying"
"Yes," added Aunt Sophie, her own
voice rising a note or two higher, 'my
niece is to be married to an old man as
rich as Cresus, and we want q stylish