The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1881-10-20
Our Queer Old LOdger.

"A YE kept a little variety shop
N/ sister Margie and i, the profits
" of which were quite as
small as the wares we Sold
But, then, we had no rent to pay; own
ing the small old fashioned house in
which we lived, and we looked strangely
out of place among the stately-looking
modern dwellings that crowded up
against it on either side, quite putting
it out of countenance by their superior
height and appearance.
Grandfather built IL many years be-
fore, when young man, and when all
that bricks and mortar were verdant
fields and well-kept gardens dotted here
and there by houses as low and modest
as his own. He owned a large tarm
and was considered wealthy man for
those days; but acre after acre had
beeo sold until nothing was left except
the house in which my father was born,
and which was the only inheritance OF
his children. But we made the most OF
it. Margie and 1, as you will see.
L hardly think we should have dared
TO do such a thing while father lived,
who would have considered 1t sort OF
sacrilege, but soon after his death we
turned the front part of the house into
shop, with shOw-windows which
opened out upon the street, in which to
display the articles we kept for sale.
This was a matter of necessity rather
than choice, it being all that could do
at home; and l could not leave Margie.
Poor Margie was cripple; she had re-
ceived a fall when four years old, and
never walked since. She had been
great care to me for years, but never
burden. She was so thoughtful, patient,
and cheerful that, in the event OF our
separation, 1 think should have missed
her unite as much as she would me-
She was very useful, too lying on the
lounge in our little sitting-room her
hands were never idle, crocheting tides,
mittens and edging, and doing various
kinds of tancy-work, for which found
sale in the shop, and though the price
asked was only moderately in excess OF
the cost of material, it helped us not
little.
MargIe kept all the accounts, too /;
having a clearer head than l, and a
knowledge, or rather intuition, OF char
actcr that was wonderful, considering
how secluded her life had of necessity
been, | never thought Of taking any
step without consulting Margie.
we two lived very quietly having few
acouaintances, and no near relative or
friend-except John. John was my
lover. and no girl ever had one more
kind and true. He was poor in worldly
goods, but oh, so rich in goodness and
manly worthl He might have been
pL~in to those who knew him not-l
cannot tell how he looked to other eyes
but there was more than beauty to me,
in that frank, honest face, and the big
brown hands that were so strong and
helpful.
We had been engaged ever since L
was eighteen-l was twenty-three now
and no nearer to being married, as
could see, than we were five years be-
fore. But still we loved on and hoped
on. John had a widowed and intirm
mother, and |, Margie; and though she
was ANYTHING but burdensome to me, L
could not think of adding any weight
TO the hands that were full enough al
ready.
Trade not being very brisk during
the summer, Margie and | decided to
exc out our slender income by letting
the room over the shop. 1t was low,
and the slant OF the rolf on one side,
and big chimney made it full OF queer
hooks and corners.
The furniture WAS old, being some
that grandfather had when he was
married: but with the help of John who
could spare me an hour or two OF even
ings, furnished it up so that it looked
very we'll By dint Of piecing and
contriving L covered the floor with
Feat carpet, the bed and windows were
draped with white, some pretty prints
hung upon the wall and on the whole
was very we'll satisfied with the results
OF our labor.
When all was done John wrote
notice, Bedroom to let-inquire with
in.'' But though placed it in the shop
windo ", where it could be plainly seer
from the street, nearly three weeks
passed and we had only two applica-
! lions for the room, and from persons
who only looked at it and then went
away.
One morning, as 1 was busting the
counter and putting the shop to rights
| saw a nueer-looking oddly dressed ole
man standing in front of the window
his ewes fixed upon the notice in it, an6
his moving lips slowly syllabilying eacf
word. He wore shoes with big buckles
on them, and snuff-colored coat, will
short waist and long skirts, and which
looked as if they might have been MI
prandfather's. But the oldest thing
about him wus the long white hal
which fell upon his shoulders, and thu
heavy beard beard of the same colo
which touched his breast. A broad
brimmed hat completed his quaint
quaker-like appearance.
The door being ajsr, before L hat
time to lay aside my duster, he was
the counter.
He stared at me for some moment
without speaking, and then, pointing T.
the notice with his cane, said;
"Will thee let me look at it 2"
Inwardly hoping that this application
would not share the fate OF those tina
had preceded it, led the way up-stair:
To my great griei, our prosperity
lodger, far from objecting to the slop
; ing roof and old-fashioned furniture
seemed to regard them with feeling G
, positive interest aud admiration.
''It is like the chamber l used TO slee
: in when boy" he said, as he locke
: .around, and speaking more to himse
/ than to me.
, AS | wanted Margie to see him befol
/ | decided, took him down through th
sitting room where she lay.
This gentleman thinks OF taking OF
: room, sister," l said, as she glanced
1 at us.
c "If within my means," interposed Il
t stranger. 81 am a poor man.
=. Margie's clear, soft, penetrating ey'
t were quietly reading the face OF Il
2 speaker. What she saw seemed sati
: factory, for she NODDED in reply to N
: questioning look.
e In spite of his threadbare apparel,
= looked so thoroughly respectable that
e was half ashamed of the questlonln
: that | felt compelled to put.
n 81 suppose you have references, sir
Il mo, all are dead who might spe'
i for me if they could. You will have
Il take me on trust"
e looked at Margie again, who givil
e me another nod, said, "perhaps c
Is gentleman will mention what he fee
;, able to pay?"
n The stranger did so, adding, 81
n poor and cannot pay one penny more
1. The sum named, though not large W
more than we were Intending to ask,
/ tolp HIM.
The old man frowned and sho
5, his head.
~ "Thee shouldn't have told me th
I've half mind TO give thee no more
A. Then counting out upon the table {
"a amount he had stated, he pushed
Sc towards me, adding:
is "Mv name is Thomas. III be ht
"a to-uoorroxr mornino with all my trap