Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-10-16
JONES' MISTAKE,

real-estate agent, as he looked ont of th,
window at two old women, markc d,
cart, and the postman. "Times are dull
-fearfully dull Never have known EN-.
SO stagnant since was i'll the business.
A list of holses to rent and for sale that
would suit anybody. at prices that are
absolutely scandalous, rs far as cheap
ness is concerned, and no demand for
'em-literally none !"
And Mr.. Ellicott lighted his cigar, ar
ranged the "TO Lets a little more at
tractively in the window, and shook his
head mOunfully at the big ledger on the
high desk.
But Just at that instant in which he
drew sigh, indicative of the EXTREMIST
despondency, stout, middle-aged gen
tleman, with felt hat, an umbrella I'M
der bis arm, and square-toed boots,
walked into the neatly-carpeted Office.
The agent slipped nimbly off his chair,
laid down his cigar, and assumed the
business smile.
"What can l do for you ?" he said,
rubbing his hands, and scenting brown
stone sale, or a red-brick exchange. at
the very 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 want to rent q respectable
house in pleasant nsighborhood," add
ed the gentleman. Il am sick of
boarding, and intend to take house
and go to housekeeping"
Certainly, by all MEANS" said the
agent, beginning briskly to futter over
the eleaves of his book. "We have, am
happy to say, q number Of most eligible
residences here, which can hardly fail to
si11st your acquisitions"
= - Give me List" said the old gentle
sman. .r.
I - Certainty" said Mr.. Ellicott, dip
ing his pen into the wooden standish.
"Imean business" said Mr.. Jones.
81 am glad to hear it, said the agent.
- And scarcely five minutes more had
elapsed before the middle-aged gentle
man with the alpaca umbrella and the
sauare-toed boots was where fat-let-
tered "To Let hung conspicuously be-
side the door.
Miss PAMELA Peppermint was just
fixing her hair ont Of crimp in the front
Ghird d-story apartment as the bell sounded
its hollow tocsin through the house.
.Joanna," said Miss PAMELA, over
ths stairs, "look ont Of the area window
and see who Il is"
"It is a gentleman, ma'am," Joanna
answered, in a shrill whisper, Gin a su-
perfne broadcloth coat and a new UNI
brella."
"Come to answer the advertisement
said Miss PAMELA, radiantly. "Show
him into the parlor, Joanna, and tell
him I'll be down directly"
She settled her crimps once again.
pinned q petite ribbon bow in her back
hair. gave her forehead farewell dab
with q powder puff, and read over for
the last time paragraph in the morn
ing's paper, which ran as follows:
WXxrIp.-Bya young lady Of education and
experience, position as housekeeper to gen.
tlou,sn Of means. No trifers need apply to
Miss p, No. 90 Nixon street.
"Dear me-" said Miss Peppermint,
" how my heart flutters-for surely this
is crisis in my life. How often does a
housekeeper become something nearer
and dearer to a gentleman of suscepti-
bility and appreciation hope he is
fond of poetry"
she crossed the threshold with a
tripping step. To her surprise the
apartment was empty.
"Where is he.. Joanna said she,
looking around insaismay.
"Please, ma'am," faltered the maid,
..I think he's an escaped lunatic-for
he's walking all aroundthe back kitchen
md peerin' into the stationary wash tubs,
md mutserin' to hissef like everything
"Ah !" said Miss Peppermint, with
,.t;ssed smile. every naturd-quite
- He means to find out what kind OF
|, practical housekeeper am. A-hem
,ere he comes. Run, Joanna, there Is
,tove. ve.blacking on the bridge OF your