The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-05-03
THE HOUSE CLEANING,

Benedict. Why, it seems as if we had
only just recovered from the dreadful
tearing up process of last spring"
Mrs. Benedict slowly drOpped four
Jumps of sugar into his coffee, then
handed it to him, utterly regardless Of
the misery in his face
Dreadful tearing upr-that's per.
feet nonsence, Mr. Ammidon. As if YOU
were very much Inconvenience last
May while the carpets were up and the
curtains down and the painting going
on. OF course | shall clean; its my
habit, and has been for twenty odd
years"
Mr.. Ammidon gave little groan at
the sad fate that awaited him-that
awaited all bachelors in boarding houses
in the shape of several consecutive
days of bare floors and the odor Of soap;
OF cold dinners eaten wherever it was
convenient to set the dining table; OF
Mrs. Benedict in a chronic state of hustle
and crossness, and the servants i'm
pudent, tired and sulky; of wide open
doors and windows where the draught:
tore through.
He was gentleman, however, Mr.
Ammidon was, and 50 repressed his i'll
temper and disgust and mental maIedic
tions that house cleaning was purely
malicious instigation of his satanic
majesty for the torment of mankind
Well be so nice and sweet anC
clean" Mrs. Benedict went on, witt
horrible cheerfulness, "and Eve beer
thinking that I'll have your rooms newly
papered, Mr.. Ammidon. Pm sure you'll
like that"
Very much-when it is done, mad
am"
And he cut his meal short and rushed
out of doors into the cool, fresh October
evening air.
All, bah! can already experienc,
the agonies of last spring, Good heaven.
the woman must be made of cast iron tC
attempt such siege again. 1t is ne
wonder her husband died if he suffered
two attacks of house cleaning wear, anC
| shall die or go crazy unless | leave hel
but suppose all women are equally
idiotic."
groan OF genuine misery broke from
his lips as he strobe along, his hat Jam
med over his eyes-very unlike the
handsome gentleman he really was. with
mouth, with the white, even teeth, and
the half curling, thick dark hair and the
grave, intelligent eyes, that nothing
could rufile As the idea of Mrs. Bene-
diets semi-annual " tearing-up "a cour-
teous, refined, genial gentleman, whom
society found a puzzle because of his
persistent bachelorhood, when it knew OF
ut least a half-doZen women who would
have jumped at the fainteSt chance of
an offer of marriage from him-who him
self wondered why he had never fallen
in love-and whom pretty little Mrs
Baldwin, the blue eyed. blonde haired
widow, with no incumbrance, a hous,
of her own, and and an income of tire,
thousand dollars year, often felt quite
piqued with that he was 50 very unim
pressionable
So Mr.. Ammidon strobe along, almos
mechanically turning corners, his pac,
gradually growing slower, and then, nj
ut once, he heard the brilliant tones of :
piano as some skilled hands played, and
looking up, found himself in front of
warmly lighted CHEEKY, hoSpitabe hous,
the very house where Mrs Bessie Bald
win lived.
The contrast was so strikingly vivid
between the pictures in his imaginat ior
that he involuntarily paused-one. the
picture of the way Mrs Benedict'-
boarding house would look next day, the
other of how Mrs. Baldwin's elegant
little home always appeared when he
called there and as it appeared now
through the lace curtainS-quiet, warm
hospitable, inviting.
And like n revelation from heaven il
came to him-an idea, determination
that was so strong, 50 resistleSs that he
walked forthwith up Mrs. Baldwin's from
steps and rang the door bell, wondering
as he did why the music had ceased and
where the player had gone.
'Ill marry her if she'll have me, anC
then We'll see how many times wear the
house is cleaned; that is, if
Then the door opened and the maid
invited him into the parlor, with the in
formotion that Mrs. Baldwin had Just
run into a ncishbol'S by the side gate
but would be back directly if the sick
child was better she had gone to see.
Mr.. Ammidon ensconced himself il
the easiest chair in the room-a great
deep, wide, cushioned affair that wa,
drawn up by the little low table under
the chandelier
Bless her pretty blue eyes. Gone t
see sick child; | like that like il
What a blessing it occurred to me to otfe
myself to such a good hearted, cheerful
tender, fond little woman as She is: an,
what Il miraculous fool | have been no
to have done it long ago Why, honestly
feel rs if had been in love with her al
i I L i. I l
never knew il.
His handsome head leaned comfort
ably against the cushions, and his wei
shaped, well booted feet were crossed OF
low ottoman near the fire that burne,
costly and brightly.
He waited ten-twenty-thirt min
utes. and when she had not come a
the expiration of three-quarters of al
hour Mr.. Ammindon was conscious of
keen disappointment that aStonishe,
himself
AT all events, my object shall be ac
compliShed, 80 far rs | can accomplish
it" he thought.
And he took his gold and ivory pen
and wrote and ardent, courteous, undo
nlably eager statement of his case, askin.
her to be his loved wife, and begged M
answer on the morrow. when she Shout,
be visiting Mrs Benedict.
Il accidentally learned You woul,
take tea with Us tomorrow night" hi
wrote, ''and | must know at once when
meet You if | am the blessed man
hope to be. If YOU can look favorabls
ON my suit let me know by answering
es TO the first question | put to YOU
II 1t Is otherwise, | will not trouble vor
further
Then he signed himself suitable, pur
the folded and addressed note eonspicu
ously on the top of pile of newspaper.
and sheet music on the piano. aud took
his leave, IN 4 strange whirl of excite
ment and expectation.
Half an hour later Mrs Baldwin cam,
IN, stopping as She passed the dining-roon
door TO speak To the girl.
You carried all those papers aud the
music Up stairs, Annie, IS ! told your