, 1876-08-11
Mr.. Bostvick Moves,

I
with stats that you could turn so that
you could see anybody in the street and
nobody could see you. But old Mr..
Glasford, the landlord, was very deaf,
and it was on account of this infirmity
that his tenant left the house. Mrs.
Bostwick said she couldn't see what Mr..
Glasford's deafness had to do with the
house, but her husband only looked
worried and said it made q good deal of
difference with q mans peace of mind,
when he had something he wanted to
whisper, and had to whisper it to a man
who couldn't hear anything if he went
into a boiler factory. Mrs. Bostwick
didn't understand what difference it
made anyhow, but then she wasn't down
town last Wednesday, when old Mr..
Glasford went into the store where her
husband was selling lovely young di-
vinity from Denmark dress pattern off
piece of Centennial percale. Mr.. Bost-
wick saw the old gentleman coming and
felt very nervous. Eager to anticipate
the demand which he knew the old gen
tleman was going to make, he dashed
toward him with an abruptness that as
tonished the fair customer who had lust
lost herself in admiration of Bostwick's
diamond pin, and gratified to learn that
he was not clerk but the silent part
ner, holding about $475, 900 worth of
stock in the concern, and that he Just
worked from pure love OF employment.
Mr.. Bostwick checked the old gentle
man about ten feet away from his GUS
toner, and leaning over the counter so
as to get as close range on his ear as
possible, whispered hoarsely that it
wouldn't be convenient to pay that
rent to-day"
"Hey?" shouted the old man, look
ing at Bostwick's agitated face in some
alarm, "why, why, wha's the matter
8 happened ?"
Mr.. Bostwick made futile effort to
catch hold of the old mans ear, intend
ing to pour his explanation into it as
one pours water into funnel, but his
landlord briskly lodged and waved
Bostwick away with an expression of
considerable apprehension. Mr.. Bost-
wick groaned and endeavored to ex-
plain to the old gentleman in manner
that would convey to the pretty custo-
mer and the others in the store the idea
that he was refusing to give the old
party credit, and at the same time let
Glasford know that he was "busted."
Cant do it r. he shouted.
Can't do what ?" inquired the mys-
tilted old gentleman in those stentorian
tones so popular with deaf people.
Can't help you r. shouted Bostwick,
in tones the sternness of which con-
trasted ludicrously with the sheepish
expression Of his countenance. "Cant
do anything for you p
The old man looked at Bostwick in
helpless wonder, and then at the door,
with his mind half made up to run
away, under the impression that the
young man was crazy. He finally stared
at him in open mouthed amazement and
speechless bewilderment.
"Oh, Noses" thought Bostwick.
he's mad as q hornet, he'll break out
in minute, know he will" Then he
tried him again, in q voice like steam
whistle.
I" I can't do anything for you r.
The old mans mouth opened still
wider, and his eyes stood around on his
cheek bones in their amazement.
"Who asked ye to do anything for
me ?" he finally gasped. What is it
ye can't do?"
Bostwick groaned, and in fit of des-
peration he broke down and gave it up.
can't pay that rent to-day |" he
shrieked, and the pretty customer was
so shocked that she dropped her parasol,
fan and paper of gum drops.
"What went to-day?" asked the old
man, waving Bostwick off with his stick.
Here the proprietor oficiously inter
posed to cover Bostwick's confusion,
speaking in the highest key he could
assume.
Rent Rent House rent. you
know He says he can't pay his house
rent to-dayp
Rent day?" echoed old Glasford !;
yes, oh, yes, that's past two weeks ago
first of the month"
Yes, shrieked Mr.. Bostwick, while
the store full of customers and his fellow
clerks stood around and smiled, at
know it, but can't pay it to-day /;
haven't got cent |"
"Oh p exclaimed the old man, with
CLEAN of intelligence passing over his
face. "I don't care about that that
isn't what 1 came for. 1 come to tell
you if your wife wanted that front down
stairs papered, to go ahead and have it
done and I'd allow it."
The pretty customer would't have a
word to say to the discounted Mr.. Bost-
wick when he went back. and the old
man told the proprietor as he went out
of the door that he believed that young
man was just about half crazy, and the
clerks were all so pleasant that Bostwick
nearly went mad every time he was
reminded of his unfortunate precipit-
ancy and that is the way he became
convinced that it was altogether lighter
than vanity to rent of deaf man.-B,r-