Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-10-09
NOW 4 BACHELOR CHANGED HIS
MIND.

MIND.
TRAMP, tramp, tramp! Pray, Mrs.
Mellick, is a regiment marching over this
house, OF has private mad asylum taken
possession of it? It would be relief to
my mind to know the worst
Mr.. Sempronius SivertOn stood erect
and bristling, in the middle of the floor
in a gorgeous scarlet and maroon dress
ng-gown, slippers with spanielss heads
embroidered on them, and light blue eyes
glittering with Indignation. Mrs. Mel
lick, his landlady, quaked before his
glance.
I'm sure. Dir. Sverton, Pm very sorry,
and can only hope no Offense will be
took, when none is intended; but when
there's To Let on the house, III" law de-
nands as it should be showed to all as is
civil and decent-spOken, between the
hours Of twelve and four. But, Mr.. Siver-
ton
"House-hunters, eh?' snarled Mr. Sem
pr5niuS. Il wish | had the settling of
them. But tell you what, Mrs. Mellick,
admit any one of them into this room at
your peril, ma'am! Do you hear? | am
not 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'am2 | won't stand itr'
And Mrs Mellick fed from the infuri-
ated presence Of her best boarder, SO to
speak, routed to the death
Us dreadful trying" said the meek
and much enduring woman TO Eliza Ann,
her freckled niece, "but there's one bless
INCHES to be married in few months
[ pity his wife"
Il don't" said Eliza Ann. Hes kind
enough, if you only manage him a little
and he pays his way like a prince! I'm
sure, I'll be sorry when he's gone, Hank I!
there goes the door-bell again"
It's more of them tormenting house
hun rs" groaned Mrs. Mellick You
go s time, Eliza Ann, and for the life of
you, don't let them go near Mr.. Siverton' s
room"
And Eliza Ann, only staying for a 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 binds and yellow
ribbon, and rustling in silk flounces, stood
there-two ladies who put the stereotyped
question:
Is this house to let?"
"Why, Blanche Beames!' cried Eliza
Ann Mellick; els it possible that this is
yOu?"
Miss Blanche Beames looked with some
righteousness at poor, shabby, hard
worked little Eliza Ann, halt-disposed to
'orget that she had sat on the same bench
with her at the establishment for young
aides, kept by Madame FARRELL lin
everyday life Mrs. Farelly). For Blanche
vas dressed like a young queen, and
gloved and booted to perfection, while d
real India scarf was Topped artistically
across her shoulders, and her black silk
polOnaise was trimmed, inch deep, with
thread lace.
Yes" said Blanche, cts me- l hope
you are we'll, Eliza Ann. Aunt Sophie
and | are looking for an eligible resi-
dence; | suppose we can see this one"
Yes" said Eliza Ann, rather chilled
by the frigid reception of her delighted
recognition. It's very nice place. My
Aunt Mellick keeps boarders here"
"Boarders!" echoed Miss Beames, draw
ing back the silken flounces, lest they
should by any possibility come i'll con
tact with the faded calico skirts Of Eliza
Ann, the plebeian. How very com
monn
"Oh, but they're quite nice people,
said Eliza Ann, installing the meaning
of Miss Blanche. very genteel, | assur,
you"
II dare say" said Miss Blanche's aunt
in patronizing, mellifluOus way. 'Bu
dear Blanche is so fastidious, and jus
about to be married, you know"
"Marredr' echoed Eliza Ann, stopping
short with the instructive interest tina
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
4ment, and gave it an energetic shake.
as this door lockeds" demanded she
sharply. why won't it open?"
ooh, please don't" faltered Eliza Ann
otis one of our boarders, very particu
lar gentleman, and III tell you all abou
the room, only he won't let anybody in
ga pretty idean' said Blanche Beames
I soiU get in!''
But, please, you mustn't, Blanche
dear" pleaded poor Eliza Ann He
such nice gentleman, wouldn't often
him for the worldn'
perhaps he don't know" said Mis-
Beames, purposely elevating her voic,
''that we are looking with the intention {
buying"
dyes" added Aunt Sophie, her ow
voice rising note or two higher, I'm
ulCSe Is 10 be W oil oid uldu q
rich as Cr9sus, and we want stylis
house for the ceremony. 1t don't matte
what we pay, for he'll settle the bills afte
wards. Blanche is very fortunate, | a
sure you, Miss Mellick.''
And the best of it," added Nil
Blanche, with a laugh, ''is that he's s
old, it won't be long before he leaves N
rich young widow"
"Oh, Blanche!" cried out the horrifie
Eliza Ann, chow can you talk s.
when"
Just at that moment the door of the bi
second-story front room swung open, an
Mr. Sempronius Siverton, in the red an
maroon dressing-robe, and the dogs hea
slippers, stood bowling in the portal wit
a red flush upon his temples, and q pee
liar, hooking smile playing around h
lips.
"Walk in, ladies, walk imp said h
+You are quite welcome to look at tn
room. l don't allow it to be shown