Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-11-08
THAT HOUSE TO LET.
a Maid and a Bachelor.

" Heigho!" yawned Mr.. Ellicott, the
real estate agent, as he looked out of
the window at two old woman, market
cart, and the postman. Times are dull
-fearfully dull. Never have known EN-
so stagnant since | was in the business.
A list of houses to let and for sale that
would suit anybody, at prices that are
absolutely scandalous so far as cheap
ness is concerned, and no demand for
'em-literally none"
AAnd Mr.. Ellicott lighted his cigar, ar
ranged the ito lets" little more at
tractively in the window, and shook his
head mourfully at the big led ger on the
high desk.
But just at the instant in which he
drew Borean sigh, indicative of the
EXTREMIST degree of dependency, a
stout, middle-aged gentleman, with a
felt hat, an umbrella under his arm and
square -toed boots, walked into the neat
little carpeted office The agent slipped
nimbly off his chair, laid down his cigar,
and assumed his business smile.
What can | do for you?' he said.
rubbing his hands and scenting a brown
stone sale or a red brick exchange, at
least.
My name is Jones" said the stout
stranger.
Happy to see you, Mr.. Jones'" sim
pered the real estate agent, rubbing
away harder than ever.
And L want to rent respectable
house in pleasant neig ghborhood," ad-
ded the gentleman. Il am sick of board
ing, and | intend to take house and go
to housekeeping"
Certainly, by all means,' said the
agent, beginning to briskly futter over
the leaves of his book. I'VE have, am
happy to say, number of most eligible
residences here, which can hardly fail to
meet your acquisitions.
" Give me list, said the old gentle
man.
Certainly said Mr.. Ellicott, dip
ping his pen into the wooden stand
dish.
t. l mean business" said Mr.. Jones.
=" [ am glad to hear it, said the
agent
And scarcely more than five minutes
had elapsed before the middle-aged gen
tleman with the alpaca umbrella and
the squaretoed boots, was where fat
lettered TO let placard was placed con-
spicuously beside the door.
Miss PAMELA Peppermint was just
taking her hair out of crimps in the
front frst-story apartment as the bell
sounded it's hollow tocsin through the
house.
Joanna" said Miss PAMELA over the
stairs, look out of the area window and
see who it is"
" It's a gentleman, ma'am," Joanna
answered in shrill whisper, in SUI
per6ne broadcloth coat and new UNI
brella."
Come to answer the advertisement"
said PAMELA, raldiantly. "Show him in
to the parlor, PAMELA, and tell him I'll
be down directly"
She settled the crimps once again,
pinned a petite ribbon bow in her back
hair, gave her forehead farewell dab
with powder puff, and read over for
the last time a paragraph in that morn
ing's paper, which ran as follows:
WANTED BY a lady of education and expert
ence, a position as housekeeper to a gentleman
of means. No trifier need apply to Miss p, No.
90 Nixon st.
"Dear me- said Miss Peppermint,
"how my heart futters, for surely this
is crisis in my life! How often does
the housekeeper eventually become
something nearer to a gentleman OF sus-
ceptibility and appreciation! | hope he
is fond of poetry
She crossed the threshold with a trip
ping step. To her surprise the apart
ment was empty.
"Where is he, JOANNA said she
looking around in dismay.
please, ma'am," faltered the little
maid, II think he's an escaped lunatic
for he's walking all around the back
kite hen, peerin into the stationary
wash-tubs, and mutterin' to hisself like
everything"
"Ah!" said Miss Peppermint, with a
satisfied smile very natural-quite
so. He means to find out what sort OF
practical housekceper | am. Ahem
here he comes. Run, Joanna, there S
stoveblacking on your nose, and hole
in your stocking. Ahem! Please te
walk in, sir" to the middle-aged gentle
man, who now appeared on the thres
hold, with his spectacles tipped ovel
the bridge of his nose, and his umbrella
carried javelin-fashion under his arm
II have pleasure of addressing"
My name is Jones, said the gentle
man, brusquely. "You are the person
who"
"Who advertised? Yes," said Mis-