The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-11-16

THE MAN WITH THE BROOMs.
One of the old men who go from
house to house selling two shilling
brooms is very fine old man, and he
has "odd streaks" running through
him. He doesn't seek to enter house
by the front door, but softly and quiet
ly slides around to the side door to
greet the servant girl.
"No brooms to-day I" she calls out
as she opens the door.
"Ah! my dear, but 1 have no brooms
to sell. have love-letter for you."
She picks up her ears at that, swings
open the door and he walks in aud
sits down.
"Ah-why-ah! !" he calculates as he
feels in his pockets for the letter. "Ah,
I now remember. The gentleman
was going to hand it to me, but de-
cided to mail it fearing that 1 might
deliver it to the wrong lady"
"What sort of looking man" she
asks.
':AhI Katy dear, you rogue you!
just as if he wasn't perfect gem, with
a diamond pin, gold watch, lots of
money! But You are worthy of him,
my dear-worth of any gent"
al don't know any such man." she
unused, but the old chap strikes in:
"Ah! you beautiful deceiver! or
course you don't let on to me, but
know a thing or two. He ought to be
proud of you, for finer face is not i'm
Detroit. And such beautiful hair
And such rosy lips! And such form
Why, if you were only an inch taller
should believe you were the Empress
Eugenie!"
"OhI go long ~ replies the pleased
girl, trying hard to blush. If she is
cross-eyed, stoop p-shouldered, freckle-
faced and pug-nosed his flattery pleas
ca her all the more, and the firmer is
her belief that he is speaking nothing
but the solemn truth.
"No: don't care about selling these
brooms," he remarks, picking up the
dozen. @You are of course acquaint-
ed with all the aristocratic families on
Fort street? To be sure you are. And
you must know all the incest folks on
Lafayette, Jefferson and Woodward
avenues, because they call here on
your aristocratic missus."
The girl won't commit herself, and
he goes on:
sThis forenoon, while was selling
a dozen brooms to that high-toned
Mrs. -, on Woodward avenue, she
asked me, as great favor to her, to call
ON your dear missus, who is one of
your warmest friends. Isaid l would,
and with one of her sweetest smiles
she added: And don't neglect to
see that dear, darling girl in the kitch-
en-, whose beauty is only equaled by
her modesty and culture That's
what she said"
"Oh! pshaw !" replies the girl, her
eyes sparkling like stars.
"More than that said she, but have
not time to relate it. called at her
request, and here 1 am. You might
see the missus and bring her reply
My dealings are entirely with the
aristocracy, and shall be happy to
put the name of this family on my
book"
The girl goes in, represents the need
of new brooms in the strongest possi-
bic light, and sale is instantly effect
ed.
"And now, my darling," says the
old man, as he is ready to depart, .that
love-letter will probably reach you to-
day. 1t doubtless contains a proposal
of marriage. You will accept, a dia-
mond ring will be forwarded, and
your home and fireside will fairly
howl with joy forever more-good
day"
After days of patient waiting for
that letter." the girl slowly but cer-
tainly concludes that the old man is a
horse thief and liar, and she stops
trying to look like the Empress Eu-
genie or anybody else Free Press.
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