Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-04-14

less some neiphbor chanred TO call IN
"A thing, by the way. Of rather rare
occurrence since most of the neigh
bors had large families Of their own
which necessarily confined them at
lone.
Early one afternoon, just after Es-
ther Manson had completed her task
Of clearing away the dinner dishes
and storing them away in the cup
board after thorough washing, she
was startled By rap Al the door.
Somewhat surprised by Il caller at
this unusual hour, she answered the
summons She WAS little app'e-
hensive that it WAS a ne'ghhor who
hst of late proved very 'roub!e'o"e
from her habit of Borrowing articles,
and owing, it is to br presumed. to an
habituaI torg-tfuness, neg'eetl'g to
return them.
II hope" she mused, that il it Is
Mrs BaiIv, she will be wanting to
borrow so uelhing have not got.
She operel the door bat no Mrs,
BaiIv presented herself to her expect
ing gaz---A gentleman OF t"rtY-hvr
ears, carefully, nav, elegantly dress
ed stood before her.
II beg YOUR pardon for in'rnd'ng
madam, said h.. ~ be noticed Esrh q
look Of surprise; bnt Won can direct
ire to the honse Of the late Mr. Well
field? | have heard it WAS for sa'-.
and from the description ! have heard
Of it, Judge it will suit ne,
IT Is the next house on the lett,
sir" ausw-re' Eat her, who had had
time, while the gentleman WAS sppak
ing, TO Examine his appearances, wh'"h
did not fail to impress her lavorabIy.
"rhank yon for your intorma'lo"
| trrs, you will pardon the 'r"nb'"
| have occa> >ron-d yon, replied the
gentleman. boxing.
Not he least Trouble in the wor d
replied Esther. lI,'le hnl-rrd by u
de,erence 10 which she bad not bee"
accustomed.
Two day. after ward Either heard
that Mr.. W-l,h4pl estate ha1 been
purchased hv II stranger n,nei Blge-
low She at once con- -c'nred, ani
rightly, that this WAS e same "l'h
hp, visitor. A f W days elapsed, and
Esther Manson rec. ivel another visit
+. rom The gentleman.
II have favor to A. Of YOU, Ms
Manson,' he commenced Ut seemed
he had ,c.rtaine1 her name Il
am aware that onr slight arqnal"t-
ance " i'll har!I> Justify it but | trust
time will remove ths obstruction,
You must know" he added sui my
that am blrhelor, dependent IN
MANY respects mp my honseke"ptr
who. though gool won'n IN her
way, | am afraid is not reliable in
matters Of taste A. my turnltnr.
has arrived, but his not been ar
ranged would esteem y a real ser,
VICE If YOU would give me Your opln.
ION in some little III ttters r sprct'ns
ITS proper disposition. My carrlag'
is vt tue door ready TO carry you
over.
But said Esther little hesita
tiagly, II do not claim to have much
tasla. fear | shall prove no more
reliable in tnat respect than your
Lousrheerer."
81 have but to look around me,
said Mr. BlgeIow, politely, Ito be full
ly at:stied upon that point
Esther cheek flushed with pleas.
nre at this comp ,iment, ard abe made
prerara!ions to comply with her new
visitors request.
II was not without little conscious
ness Of the sin ynlarlry OF her position
that Esther found herself riding by
the side o. gentleman with wh I'm
she had scarcely exchanged half +
dozen words in the course Of her life
The distance. however, was hu
short, and she had IItl4 time for re
f.cl:on On arriving AT her place o
destination she fonni The chief part O.
her business accomplished. The fur
niture, which, by the way, was new
and handsome had been arranged in
the rooms after fashion, bnt Esther
was able to point out several changes
for The better, With al Il which Mr.