River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-04-08
BOARDING OUT.

anu WUOil u6 tXptCleu III lew W6ch5
would become his bride.
"Why" said she, in the first place,
j want my apartments ready furnish
ed--none OF the cheap kind OF second
hand stuff that children have clambered
over, or neat old occupants have rub
bed all the gloss off; but nice, new vel
vet couches, Ottomans and chairs to
match; mirror of modern size-one
which gaslights have not blurred and
smoked against, till they have assumed
II mahogany color, rich comfortable,
tapestry carpets, etc AS 10 our cham
her furniture, complete set of the gilt
and white will snswer; am not par
ticular about that; only, Arthur, remem-
ber one thing-we must have everything
new without furnishing it ourselves;
then, should not the place be suited TO
our purpose, we can any day pack our
clothes III our trunks, and seek new
lodgings"
1t was not time TO dissent from
from Miss Arabella's proposition. The
young man had already secured his
prize at fearful odds and ends; the faith
er was not exactly pleased with the sum
total in his financial currency; and the
mother had said: "If Arthur was only
a little more genteel and fluent in fe-
male society, she would have liked him
better But Arabella had been some
thing Of flirt and they we've happy
10 settle er down 10 a man of no had
habits" As to the daughter herself,
she was an only child, and was deter
mined to marry ID man to please her
self; one who would let her have her
own way; for she "mortally hated re-
straint." Poor GIRL! she knew not the
definition of the word.
To an advertisement for "board III d
private family, where there are 10
children, or other hoarders," Mr.. Har-
grave received several replies, stating
location, terms and accommodations.
So, having made sele c.ion from a huge
pile, fresh from the Post office, he con.
ferred with Arabella, and they forth
with started to survey the offered prem
ises.
1t was surprising, however, to see the
difference which description and reality
gave. Most Of the places were dreary,
poorly furnished, and rather uninviting
at the verv threshold. The fumes
Of huge cooking stove would some
times settle the question in the mega
tive, when they first breathed in the en-
try; some disordered drain would Of
fend their olfactories, III an otherwise
pleasant situation. A slip-shod look
IN the man of the house, or a faded,
crushed head-dress, and defaced ex-
terror in landlady, or a repelling ad-
dress setting forth her requirements, all
put the veto upon coming to terms at
once.
After sundry efforts and discourage
ments, an offer was at length made
which looked more like securing a
house. 1t was in gpnteel family, there
were no children or other boarders, the
location was faultless, the rooms to let
were handsomely furnished, the quiet
air of the house, and the pleasant ex-
preston Of the occupants, all gave
promise of an agreeable residence.
There were but two or three things they
would have wished to change; one was,
the lady required her house to be shut
up at 10 O'clock, and the other was
decided objection to having a piano
brought into it.
With the latter, Arabella did not find
much fault, as she despised music, and
of course was no proficient, only taking
lessons because it was decidedly ''vul-
gar" not to be attended by music
master. AS TO returning from concerts,
balls and social entertainm ents, thought
she, 81 never did, and never will sub
NIT to such law from anybody" Still,
there were so many pleasant append
ages, so much luxurious comfort, all
furnished at Their hand, there was but
She single item of terms which now
separated them.
The landlady had fixed the sum Of
Sl5 per week; Mr.. Hargrave had de-
termined not to exceed $12: therefore
he had selected q private family instead
of a public clearinghouse. The differ
ence between the two is set down on
the score of not providing so many lux
uries; but We may We'll query whether
the public hotel provides more than are
actually required, wished for, or grum-
bled about, If not seen III Il genteel pri-
waite clearinghouse.
Suffice it to say, however, Mr.. and
Mrs. Arthur Hargrave, IN the course Of
few weeks, found themselves passing
delightful honeymoon in this beauti
fully conducted private family, where
order, neatness and many supertluities
left them nothing to wish or want. a
servant came at their bidding; sweet
tempered landlady often enlivened
their enjoyment by friendly chat; and
who could wish to keep house, one
might exclaim, when for the sum OF Sl5
per week, all the vexations, limitations,
and trials innumerables could be thus
avoided?
mercy on mel" exclaims some poor
henpecked husband, Il would rather
pay $50 per week than endure what |
am forced to bear" "And /, says my
opposite neighbor, would break up to-
morrow If had not such an army Of
children But Mr.. Arthur Hargrave
thought ne paid to much. He reason
ed thus with his inexperienced wife:
"For breakfast to-day we had scram-
bled eggs and nice steak, coacO, coffee
and tea, warm biscuit and plain toast
surely these would cost but tritle."
mo, indeed Arthur" was the ready
response. PA always furnishes as
much as this upon his salary of 81 900.
(But she did not know about that un.
paid bill at the grocer's)
And then for dinner, we had simply
boiled turkey and oyster sauce, chick
en- PIE, made from the roast of yester-
day, but good; sage pudding and d
dessert OF figs and apples"
'Not by any means an expensive ell
tertainment Arthur" replied the young
wife.
"And Tor tea only dry toast, preserves
and plain cake"
We pay exorbitantly for what We re-
cejve, and if | were you, Arthur, | would
tell Mrs. Bliss so this evening when /
settled the bill. Sixty dollars would
buy half the contents of Faneuil Hall
market" pursued the little novice; land
besides we have not reckoned how
many meals we have taken out this
time"
So it was fully determined, before the
bill should be receipted, the landlady
should be reasoned with upon the higa
price she demanded for board.
1t was q cherries evening without,
when Arthur Hargraye returned home
TO his well lighted parlor. his cheerful
fire, and his luxurious couch and young
wife Not a comfort was missing
the lacquered coalhCd was filled, the
curtains were closely drawn, the center
table was full OF varied reading brought
from below stairs; yet still Mrs. Har
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