The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-10-08
JONES' MISTAKE.

y
real-estate agent, as he looked out Of the
window at two old women, 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 rent and for sale that
would suit anybody, at prices that are
absolutely scandalous, as far as cheap
ness is concerned, and no demand for
em-literally none
And Mr.. Ellicott lighted his cigar, ar
ranged the "To Lets little more at
tractiyely in the window, and shook his
head mournfully at the big ledger on the
high desk.
But Just at that instant in which he
drew a sigh, indicative OF the EXTREMIST
dependency, a stout, middle-aged gen
tleman, with a felt hat, an umbrella nm
der his 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 do for you n he said,
rubbing his hands, and scenting brown
stone sale, or red-brick exchange, at
the very least.
MY name is jones'" said the stout
stranger.
Happy to see you, Mr.. Jones, z sim
pered the real-estate agent, rubbing
away harder than ever.
"And want to rent a respectable
house in pleasant neighborhood, add
ed the gentleman. II am sick of
boarding, and / intend to take house
and 60 to housekeeping"
Certainly, by all means, said the
agent, beginning briskly to futter over
theleaves Of his book 1--WE have, / am
happy to say, number of most eligible
residences here, which can hardly fail to
meet your acquisitions.
Give me a list, said the old gentle
man.
Certainly" said Mr.. Ellicott, Dip
ping his pen into the wooden standish.
"Imean business, said Mr.. Jones.
II 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
square-toed boots was where a fat-let-
tered ITO Lee" hung conspicuously be-
side the door.
Miss PAMELA Peppermint was just
taxing her hair ont Of crimp in the front
tnlrd-stolT apartmentas the bell sounded
l's hollow tocsin through the house.
Joanna" said Miss PAMELA, over
the stairs, 'look out Of the area window
and see who it is.
II is gentleman, ma'am," Joanna
answered, in shrill whisper, Sin su-
perfine broadcloth coat and new um-
brella."
Come to answer the advertisement, I"
said Miss PAMELA, radiantly. "Show
him into the parlor, Joanna, and tell
mm1ll be down directly.
She settled her crimps once again.
pinned petite ribbon bow in her back
nalr' gave her forehead a farewell dab
"i'n powder puff, and read over for
ne last time paragraph in the morn
mgs paper, which ran as follows
SrED-By young lady Of education and
!. Srpeiience, position as houseteeper to a gem
MI r.an q q means No triaers need apply to
aiss - No. 90 Nixon street.
Dear me-" said Miss Pepperm;nt
now my heart fiutters-for surely this
: = Crisis in my life. How often does a
OsSeAeeper become something nearer
sna S.,l dearer to gentleman of suscepti-
olAty and appreciation I hope he is
iOnd Of poetry"
one crossed the threshold with a
1ippmg step. To her surprise the
'parIment was empty.
IL. where is he, Joanna? ?" said she,
'Ooklng around in dismay.
:, Please, ma'am,' faltered the maid.
~, 'nink he's an escaped lunatic-for
! i walking all around the back kitchen,
aAa peerin' into thestationary wash tubs,
~ %a, mutterln' 7, to hisaelf like everything"
"a an |! said Miss Peppermint, with a
.auSned I smile. Every natural-quite
= ne means to find ont what kind Of
a, PRACTICAL housekeeper I am. A-hem
s,s SO ne comes. Run, Joanna, there is
overwhelming on the bridge Of your