The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-05-22
OUR SEcoND.FLooR LOGGER

When John and first began housckeep.
ne, we were doubtful whether to live In
apartments, or to take a house and let them
We finally decided upon the latter, for, as
John remarked, lodging house keepers were
such pilferers that one never knew when
one expenses ended; like lawyers bill,
there were so III any items.
We began 10 fancy we had chosen i'll, how
ever, when the little embossed card hung for
three weeks in the little sitting room window
without getting one application, save from an
old lady in the neighborhood, who, am Ger
lain, came only out of curiosity.
But at the end of that period, an elderly
gentleman, in delicate health, called to look
II them, with his niece, and decided to rent
threc rooms at once.
was very glad, Tor they appeared to be
4uic, people, and meeting John with hearty
kiss that evening, told him we were in luck
II last
Il am pleased to hear it, my giri,' answer
Ell John. "Only take my advice; don't be on
100 friendly terms with them than need be
heePyour place. All persons have their lit
lie iadS and peculiarities, and when these be
come lntag0nistic one house cannot hold both
parties. The warmest friendship with lodg
ers generally turns to the bitterest dislike
good nature, borrows her electro teapot. Sh,
makes dent in the I'D and thus strikes III,
first nail into the coffin Of their friendship.
| stopped Johns mouth with muffin,
;ailEsof his-but promised to do rs he re
commended.
That, however, was not so easy. Mr Fov
icscuC's niece--Miss Kathleen Milbrooke-
was such quiet sweet, amiablc girl, an
seemed so alone, that was irresistibly draw
10 hci ; and, when we met, always had q It'll
conversation, which, | felt sure gave her COZ
siderable pleasure
Indeed, her life was terribly monotonou
No one visited them, and Mr.. Fortescuo,
confirmed invalid and hard, austcre nal
was irritable from disposition as well as Dc
icalc health, and, fear, led his poor niece
wearying an existence that, | imagine, VIII,
she could getaway for chat with me 81
found II a wonderful relief
Vel, they had been with US nearly a fol
night. waen, late one evening, gentlcmt
called to see the rooms we had to let on Il
secoad aoor back, and which he had hcal
Of al the stationers. He was very goodloo
ing, tall, with pale face and heavy Ial
beard and mOustache.
It's very foolish, know, but have ;
ways been misrustful of dark boards a,
>
a. an egg. Bot the stranger spoke omen
anu fairly enough, gave me references TO !
last laDdlady aud 10 the ilrm where he W
employed, while, TO clinch the matter, nc =
dO1a the first two weeks rent in advance,
lac wished TO come In that night.
| ielt ought not 10 have let HIM, but v
yet nervous in the part of landlady, a
hadr't the courage to refuse. And when,
about an hour, he returned, carrying his o
pOrtmanteau and /, having lighted HIM to
room, came back to my own, could not h
Specializing little TREMENDOUSLY upon vi
John, who had been detained in the Ct
would think.
John thought had done a very fool
thing, and 80 terrified me out Of my wits
saying Our second floor lodger was no dout
burglar, vino, when we were In bed, wo
break open all the cupboards and draw
with the skeleton keys and Jimmy" q