The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-24
Our Strange LOdger.
A DETECTIVES STORY.

HNHOUGH we could hardly hope to meet
with model lodger again, like the
Rev. Mr.. Adolphus, who had been with us
ever since we began housekeeping, it was
certainly desirable--so Annie and con-
cluded-to have lodger of some kind,
even if it were an inferior description of
the article for my salary at that time, as
junior clerk in the respectable banking firm
of Lawes and Fielding, was more prospec7
tive than real sufficient, perhaps, for
bachelor of economic tastes, but sadly out
of proportion with the needs of a married
man.
1t being decided, therefore, that second
lodger was a necessary evil, card notify
ing that Apartments for a single Gentle
man were to be let within, took its place
in our window but week after week pass
ed away, winter faded into spring, spring
ed without a single applicant for our very
genteel and commodious rooms.
The hot days of June were drawing to
close when, on reaching home one evening
from the office, saw by the sparkle in my
wife's eye that she had something particu-
lar to tell me, and / was scarcely seated
before the news burst out.
"Tom, dear, we have got a lOdger at
last p
"Did you say lodgerP" cried, start
ing up. "Another poor victim come to the
net-to be cheated, worried, bullied, and
fleeced numerically What is the wretch
ed individuals name?"
/" Mr.. James Twoshoes."
"a very ancient and honorable name,
well known in nursery history Describe
him.
"There's not much about him to de-
scribe. He's like any other commonplace
gentleman who is drawing on towards
middlo-age, with little in his appearance to
distinguish him from any one else. He is
about five-and-forty years old, as near as
can Judge. Short black hair, with just a
tinge of grey nit; ; no beard or whiskers
dressed in a new glossy suit of black
clothes; wears black gloves, much too long
in the fingers, and an old-fashioned black
brooch. He has good-tempered looking
face, lighted up by two quick black eyes,
He is deaf to very slight extent and you
have to elevate your voice when speaking
to him. He has habit of carrying his
head forward a little, and partly on one
side, which gives. him the appearance Of
being continually listening for something
which he is expecting. every moment ia
hear"
"A description worthy OF passport
When does he arrive?"
"About noon to-morroy. He sleeps al
one of the hotels tonight. But forgot to
say that he will only be a temporary lodg
er. He has engaged the rooms by the
week, as his stay in Markhollow will only
be short one. He may want the rooms
for one month, two months, or three
months, he said,-just as the fancy takes
him, and dependent on how soon he growl
tired Of our little town"
"Ah, well suppose temporary
lodger is better than none. What refer
ences did he give?"
references p exclaimed Annie, il
blank dismay. "Upon my word, wal
so taken up with the idea Of letting thu
rooms, that forgot all about references
Through which forgetfulness," said
severely, "you introduce into the house
person Of whom we know absolutely moth
ing"
"Oh he's thoroughly respectable, m!
dear; you may tell that at once from hi
appearance ~
"No doubt. Forgers and genteel pick
pockets are generally men Of very respect
able appearance. Their rcspectability 4