River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-07-07
LOOKING FOR A HOUSE.


could find no home for the sole of her
foot.
''And what's to become of Us Pm sure
/ don't know" said Mrs Carmichael.
For we can't stay here, and we can't
live under an umbrella in a field, and in
this climate caves and wigwams are en-
tirely out of the question"
"That's nonsense, my dear" said Mr..
Carmichael. GAS if there weren't
plenty of houses to be hadw
Then go and try yourself" said his
wife, with spirit.
I've got my business to attend to, !"
said Mr.. Carmichael eve are always
particularly busy in the spring of the
year with our wholesale orders Why
can't John go?"
"John?" repeated Mrs. Carmichael.
Eyes, John" said her husband.
81 never thought of that" said Mrs.
Carmichael.
It's not so bad suggestion" said
Carmichael. John isn't such slave
to business as | am, and"
"But what does John know about a
house?" exclaimed the young wife pit
eously.
my dear child" said Mr.. Car
michael, in patronizing sort of way,
"to hear you talk, one would imagine
that house-hHnting was a science, and
required q college course. John isn't
fool. Tell HIM what you want, and
how much you can afford to pay, and
that will be all that is necessary"
So it came to pass that Mr.. Barton
Mrs Carmichael's brother-who was
an enterprising young lawyer, found
himself burdened with the weighty re-
sponsibility of the family house-hunt-
ing.
:" A fine idea " said Mr.. Barton. 81
might as well be married man and
done with it."
Dear John, do oblige me !" coaxed
his sister. I'm sure you won't mind
a little time and trouble; and Pm clean
tired out, with the baby's teething and
little Sammy's neuralgia in the face. y
Very well, said Mr.. Barton, pursuing
his lips up into whistling shape. "I'll
take some sort of house, or I'll know
the reason why. And if you're not
suited with it, don't blame me"
And he commenced the next day in
good earnest, armed with Il list OF
houses which might apparently content
dozen families.
The first house was pretty little
Philadelphia-brick mansion, on side
street, with a window full of hyacinths,
and a sewingmachine singing away in
the sitting-room.
Mrs. Blake was making some pink
frocks for her baby, and her friend,
Miss Daffodil, was sitting with her, in a
dishabille of work-apron and crimping-
pins-a pretty blue-eved girl, with a
thin figure and gingham suit, bordered
with ''rick-rack" tape.
There's the bell!' said Mrs. Blake
as she flung the fifth pink frock into
her friends lap, to be duly finished with
button-holes and buttons.
"Who can it be at this time Of the
morning." said Miss Daffodil, with a
terrified glance at the mirror.
ooh, it Is a house-hnter' / sup
pose!" said Mrs Blake, in accents of
disgust.
Please, ma'am," said Norah, APP
pearing at this juncture, "a gintleman
to see the house"
Miss Daffodil jumped up and fled
precipitately into the closet.
Don't open the door, Maria, what
ever you do' said she, in tragic wills
per
Do not be afraid, DEAR" said Mrs.
Blake.
The next minute Mr.. Barton was
shown into the room.
'S0rry to disturb you, madam, said
he, pleasantly, "but was looking for
an eligible house, and the agent has
put this one on my list"
"You are looking for YOURSELF" said
Mrs Blake, little obviously.
"Of course" said Mr. Barton, who
has been effectually "posted" by his
sister. "Our family is small-only two
chidren-and we're quite particular
about light basement, good plumbing,
and water-tight roots"
("Good graciousw said Miss Dafodil,
among the tea-cups and saucers, 'it is
John Barton. The base deceiver to
let us all suppose he was an unmarried
man - and the rosy color mantled to
the very crimping-pins as she remem
bered how she had let John Barton kiss
her at the last picnic, when nobody was
looking.)
Il suppose, said he, all unconscious
OF the pretty prisoner in the china
closet. that I'd better write down list
of the rooms and things"
Eyes, +" said Mrs. Blake, land then
your wife can come and look for her
self For Of course d gentleman can't
be expected to understand all about
these little household conveniences.
"Oh, of course not" said Mr. Bar
ton.
("The deop-dyed william I" thought
Miss Daffodil, Historically clasping her
hands.)
And the two left the room.
Miss Dafodil could hear them over
head, on the stairs, passing through the
hall, and finally the front door closed
with a reverberating sound, and Mrs.
Blake came back to the sewing ma
chine and pink cambria frocks.
Miss Daffodil had by this time en-
erged from her prison-cell and stood at
the window.
what a very pleasant young gentle
man. said Mrs Blake
HE is miscreantW cried Miss DAT
fodil, whirling around, like an opera
dancer, on one foot.
"Why, Jenny, what's the natter"
said Mrs. Blake with amazement.
"He has been making love to me at
church sociablss and picnics for three
cried Miss Daffodil; land |
now he turns out to be m-m-married |
man. Oh, dear, oh, dearl IS there any
limit TO the baseness of mani"
And Jenny Dafodil flung herself,
on her friends shoulder.
Don't cry, dear" said Mrs. Blake.
Perhaps he didn't mean anything. |
Men will firts you know.
'But he told me he loved me-"
"Dear, dear! said Mrs. Blake.
''And he asked me to marry him."
81 never heard anything like it in all |
my lifew said Mrs. Blake.
"And he gave me ing with little
tiny spark Of diamond in it, added
Miss Daffodil.
"5end it back, my dear said Mrs.
Blake, sat oncel"
Mr.. John Barton could hardly credit |