Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-10-16
RAlVIILE. LOUISIANA SATURDAY, OF (TOBER l6. $780,

hem Please TO walk i'll, sir to the
middle-aged gentleman who appeared ON
the threshold, with his spcctacles tipped
over the bridge OF his nose, and Iii, un,-
brella carried, javcln-fa~hion. under III,
arm. Il have the pleasure of address
ing"
My name is Jones, - said the gentle
man, brusquelv. "You are the lady
Who"
"Who advertised? Yes" said Miss
Peppermint, with a smiling inclination
OF her head
"Then wonder at vou," cnunciated
Mr.. Jones.
Sir said Miss Peppermint
"As old as the hills" said Mr.. Jones.
"All ont Of repair. Fifty years old ut
the very least"
"Sir. :" calculated the lady, more as
founded than ever.
Truth is TRUTH, said the gentleman.
"Not even deccntly painted"
"Painted?" gasped Miss Peppermint.
instinctivcly remembering the pearl
powder.
"Rheumaticky, and full of fever and
agnc !" energetic..lly added Mr.. Jones.
a tumble-down old ruin :"
"Sir, You insult me " cried the spin
ster, bristling up.
"Then, madam, you shouldn't OBJ
trude your damaged wares before the
pubic"
81 was never 50 abused before III my
life" faltcred Miss Peppermint. wiring
ing her hands.
"It's high time somebody spoke the
truth. said Mr.. Jones.
leave the house, sir" said Miss
Peppermint.
And welcome" said Mr.. Jones, put
ting his hat bclligcrently on the side of
his head. and shoullcring his umbrella
like bayonct.
"But first let me give you little all
vice. The next time you have house
to let"
''But l haven't any house to let" III
dignantly interposed Miss PAMELA.
"Eh ?" said Mr.. Jones.
"And never had," added the la.ly, /
breathlessly.
"Isn't this house to let 2"
"Yes, but it isn't mine, and I've moth .
ing to do with it."
"You said you advertised"
so did," said Miss Pamelia, with
difficulty keeping back her hystcric
tears. "But l wanted a position as
housekeeper, and"
The middle-agedbachelor stood aghast,
the full horror Of his situation gradually
breaking upon him.
Madam" he said, - beg Your par
DON
"Sir," said Miss Peppermint, "thcre
has been an unfortunate misapprehen-
sion all around"
IL was alluding to the house, ma am,
when / uSr,i those unfortunate adiect-
ives, explained Mr.. Jones. 81 hope
yon don't think, ma am, that I could ap-
ply them to a lady p
~ am solitary female" said Miss
Peppermint, retiring behind her hand
kerchief, land l find myself compelled
10 earn my bread in genteel way. You
couldn't recommend me to any single
gentleman in want Of capable house
keeper, could yOu?'
"N--no ma'am, couldn't, that is inst
It present, stammered Mr.. Jones. "But
4 hear of one will certainly let you
know. Good morning"
And he boited out of the door in a state
If cold perspiration.
"What fool I've been :" said he to
himself, as he strobe along the windy
April streets, wiping mis- forehead with a
ed silk handkerchief. "I1l GO back to
Mrs. Budgets andengage my rooms there
or the next ten years."
And so he did.
Nobody answered Miss Pamelia's al
no one rented the desirable
mansion No. 80 Nixon street.
Mr.. Ellicott, the real-estate agent, de-
lares that business is duller than ever,
nd Mrs. Budget, the boarding house
,eeper, says to her daughter:
Whatever has come to Mr.. Jones, 1
lOn't know, but he's as docile as lamb,
nd hasn't found fault with his roast Joint
q month"
"Wonders will never cease, says Miss
'udget devoutly.