The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-05-02
AN EXTENSIVE BOARDING HOUSE.

SAYS the t1ln0nam journal: a boston
merchant, now extensively engaged in
business on Summer Street, who posses
ses a rare fund of humor, relates this
amusing story OF Uncle 10. White
who some thirty years ago was proprietor
of the most extensive boarding house in
Boston. 1t took in whole block, of
dwelling houses standing on the side OF
the present splendid Lee Block, bounded
by Lincoln, Bedford and Columbia
Streets. Many business men of Boston
pleasantly remember Uncle Joseph and
his many roomed boarding house, and
will smile as they read this account of
the potato peddler's tribulatiors:
Former residents Of Boston will recog-
nize the following incident, which occur
red so many years ago that there certain
ly can be no harm in locating the precise
spot were it took place.
About the year 1S49 there was board
ing house ON the corner of Bedford and
Lincoln Streets,kept by one of the best of
men, whose name We will call White.
The reason of our calling him by that
name is for the same reason that the
Dutchman called his dog "Grip"-be-
cause that wss his name. The reputation
of the excellent fare and superior accom-
odations together with the kind -natured
and paternal care exercised over its in.
mates by our host and hostess. soon went
abroad, and SO many APPLICANTS presented
themselves eager to share its comforts.
that Mr.. W. concluded 20 hire the adjoin-
ing house, connecting the two by door
way in the rear. Tnis'house also was so
quickly filled with good paying boarders
at 81 so per week, that he soon after add
ed two more on the same street. Still
they came and filled this house as fast
and faster than he could accommodate
them, till at last he had four or five on
Bedford Street, three or four on Lincoln
Street, and two or three on Columbia
Street. making in all eleven houses, all
harnessed together in the rear AMI easily
accessible in that quarter. No altcra-
ton having been made in front. they of
course all preserved the same ne-family
appearance.
The incident above referred to occur
red one bright morning in October, while
the writer was playing sick and was en-
l"ying a game of backgammon with the
landlord. who had Just returned from
market. The door-beIl of house No. |
Bedford Street rang. and WAS answered
by the proprietor in person. A country
tarm wagon literally heaped with pota'-e,
stood III the street opposite the door.
So full. indeed. was the aforesaid wagon
that no room was left for the driver to sit.
except on very narrow board about six
inches in width. on which. il mus. he pre-
sumed, so large s man could not sit with
any degree OF comfort. When the door
was opened the potaso-man presented
himself with the inquiry:
DO you want any potatoes today
No. sir. not to-day" was the answer.
The good farmer asked the same qure~
tlon at the doors number two. three G
tour. same street, the bell being answou
each time by the sime go,xi-natu
party, who all the time preserved
same placid, happy countenance VII
he always wore, and which seemed
greatly disturb the Elsn of bulbs.
Nothing daunfed, however. he quie(
and slowly walked down the steps, =
mounting the aforesaid six-inch pl1n
set his feet firmly one on each shaft, =
then, giving one long, searching, pe1