Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-08-26
A raLtnfal and Lifo-riko POrtrait.
rne noARpISd.HousE LAypLADr OF TIE Pr
Rod.

Rod.
board now. AMI think | have one OF th'
kindest lanlladies ir the world. She seems
to think great deal of me, aud ! sometimes
almost decide that should weep il any harm
came near her.
She is very particular about her boarfers.
Before she took me in was compelled to get
4 certificate from three elcrgymen, two bank
ers aud lawyer, stating that had never
been hung for horse stealing. l harsained for
A front room looking out 90 The campus mar
thus. and it was understood that was 70 have
The room alone. On the third night went
home aud found stranger in my bed, aud
when | began TO raise a row, Mrs. Dolby
caught my arm aud whispered;
There now, be good dear man, and say
no more. He is = preacher, and he is going
away tomorrow. thought you wouldn't
mind just one night"
At the end Of the week she tcckoDed me
aside. and smiling likes load Of fresh hay
she wanted to know if would DO her IA
vor which would place her under great ooli-
cations to me. ! replied that | would die
for her aud then she asked me To give up Ito
room looking ont upon the grand square and
take one looking ont upon the alley, iuil OF
ash barrels and oyster cans. She bad a new
boaracr coming who was awful particular, and
She knew / would do anything to aeccmmo-
date ler
made the change, aud the grateful look
she gave me was enough to melt a vest button.
hal only got fairly settled when was told
she wanted to see me in the parlor after dln-
uer. found her in tears. She said that
very nice man and his nice wife wanted to
c.rne and board with her but shc had 10
room. aud It eriegcd her to thiuk that sho
must turn them away when che was so hari
pushed to get along.
told her il had a hundred lives would
lay them all down for her aud then borrow
hundred more and add to the pile, and as Sic
srized my hand said lhat heaven would surely
reward me Tor being good e. a fatberless or
pban. moved into the eaTret, the awful
particular mao novel into my room. aud the
very nice man and his very nice wife moved
into the front room.
In aboutanother week Mrs Dolby Whispered
t1 me to know if bad a snake in my stomach.
She said that she observed that was heavy
eater and she didn't know but bad snake.
I set her right and when promised TO tako
full lunches down town and urge all the Other
boarders to DO the same, she put her band on
my shoulder and remarked that heaven bad a
place for nc
That nigh. my bed was made without
sheets. and when went 10 raise q row, she
took me by the hand and said that her expc-
rience went 10 show that it was healthier 70
sleep without sheets was going to argue
the question. when tears came TO her eyes and
she hoped would not say anything to hurt a
no o,r lone widow whose life had been one long
struggle with poverty.
ne UtAL UlEUN lU' i'AtbNi W. "A' 't'N 10
the pillows went, but didn't say anything
then she wanted to borrow my tooth brush for
boarder that hadn't any, and she took my
stove to use in the lower hail. didn't say
word until she asked me If | could spare The
I'D rag carpet of the floor, and if ! wonldnt
set the other boarders an example by drinking
nothing bu; water, and not takiDga second
biscuit. Then told Der that was going TO
leave that house, and try to tear her image
from my heart.
She seized both my hands, tears rolled down
her checks and she askc
"Mr. Quad, will yon deliberately plo, TO
kill a lonesome widow, who is working her
life out to make your position comfortable,
happy and Injurious ~
Il conidnt 90. I'm there yet. sleep
on the door, put up with cold bites, and use
the booljack Tor chair when have company.
/ wish WASH { 50 tender hearted, but can't
bear to think Of hurting Mrs. D,lby's feelings
by looking up another place.-N Quad.