The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-02-22

NY PIOuCCCoSOE.
"Ah, just so; thank you. 1t is many
years ago; and things alter more than
men. To me 1t seems as though it were
but yesterday"
He looked about him with a saddened
gaze and I could see that some of the
recollections of his past moved him
deeply.
SIN what way can l serve you, sir?" ]
remarked. after a brief pause, DESTROYS
OF bringing matters to some precise and
business-like stage.
"That is exactly what it puzzles me to
explain" he answered, rousing himself
from the half reverie into which he had
fallen. "The-the question is dedicate
one-one purely of sentiment
scarcely hardly venture upon breach.
ing it."
But for his grave, sad demeanor, and
the quiet courtesy of his manner, ]
should have been strongly disposed te
consider my strange, foreign. noble visi.
tor a lunatic who had by some means
got astray from an asylum. Under the
existing conditions my perceptions led
me to think that the old gentleman had
some genuine and powerful motive fol
doing violence to his natural timidity
and boarding a Briton in his own castle.
"Well, sir,' I remarked, "you will
of course understand that unless you
yourself choose to assist me a little -
bear with me, SIR" interrupted the
old gentleman. meekly. when you
know all you will not fail, 1 hope, to ex.
cuse nay trespass upon your good nature
and patience. I am e%ighty-fve years OF
age, and yet I have travelled all the way
from Brescia for the sole purpose of WIS.,
iting this house"
Indeed, sir!!" I once more observed,
at q loss for anything more original or
fresh. "tYou have come a long way"
Eyes, it is a long journey for one so
old as I am. is it not? But I could not
make up my mind to die in peace with
out seeing the place once more"
Judging that this was all the old
gentleman required. 1 gave him the op-
p~ortunity of taking a good look round
the room. To my disappointment. how
ever, he seemed but little interested in
the apartment where he was sitting. and
continued idgeting about uncomfort-
ably.
.'You will pardon my presumption"
he said, nervously, ''but l am a little up
set at finding the house changed into a
private dwelling. 1t used not to be so
in my time. but was let out into apart
ments to all Corners"
"Really, sirr' I began, not a little
astonished at this turn of the converse
ton.
"Do not misunderstood me-" he re-
sumed promptly, perceiving, no doubt,
my look of amazement. "What I mean,
sir, is that this alteration of circum-
stances makes the request I am DESTROYS
of putting extremely awkward and deli
cate. Had Mrs. Smith or any ordinary
lodging-house keeper been here still, !
should not have experienced such reti-
cence."
pray do not distress yourself" I said,
seeing that the old gentleman was in
reality a good deal put out. "'You need
be under no very great ceremony with
me. I am a plain man of business"
"Thank you,n he replied, bowling with
great courtesy. "Your extreme kind
ness gives me confidence. Well, then,
you must know that my object in coming
here was to visit the rooms which are
just overour heads-particularly the one
at the back, looking IN to the garden.
Do I express myself clearlyP"
Perfectly" Unanswered. 'sOne of the
rooms is occupied by myself and wife;
the other is my eldest daughters bed
ROOM"
"Ahr'--he said-his face, which had
suddenly grown almost joyful and ami
mated for a second, falling considerably
at the latter part part of my statement
81 was sure my request would be an
awkward one. SIR"
"Why sirw 1 asked. 'sDo 1 under
stand you to mean that you wish to go
upstairs and see those two roomsP"
EXACTLY" he exclaimed, eagerly.
Ill was bold enough to hope that you
would grant me the favor"
Certainly, sir; nothing can be easier.
Just one word to my wife, and I will
return and show you myself to the
rooms"
rose and moved toward the door.
Zone more question:" he said, in q
hesitating tone. 'Have there-have
there been great changes made in the
houseP"
"Changes? In what way, sirP"
"Wel-do you think the walls and
and the windows are in much the same
state as they used to be years ago?"
$50 far as / am able to say" ]
answered, puzzled and surprised at this
odd query. s'the house is pretty well
what it must have been when it was first
built. Of course, I need scarcely men
ton that the rooms have been painted,
papered and freshened up from time to
time"
"Ah, you say they have been painted,
sirP'' he asked. a~nxiously.
80 dear, yes; 1 myself had the place
done up from top to bottom before 1 came
into it."
THANK you," he answered, regret.
fully, ''thank you. My questions nc
doubt seem strange to you; but I had my
reasons for asking. l was indulging in
a hope which l fear is vain."
Ithen went down stairs and explained
to my wife in a few words the result o.
my interview with the old gentleman.
Good graciousI how extremely pc.
culiarr' she exclaimed. "And you dom
mean to say John that you have beer
imprudent enough to leave him all alone
in the drawing-room, with all my blue
Shiho anu SniuSs iyilS doouI!
Don't be alarmed, my DEAR" I an
swered, aroused by her dismay. 81 will
be responsible for his honesty. The china
is perfectly safe with him."
well, then. he must be a lunatic,'
she replied, with a woman logic. "Whc
ever heard of a sane man coming into s
respectable house and making such a re-
quest?"
~ don't suppose he means any harm
He is very old and shaky, and has NJ
doubt some sentimental reason for wish,
ing to see the rooms. Surely there car
be no great objections to my gratifying
mis- wish"
like the idea of stranger:
going into the bedrooms. Besides, how
am I to be sure that Carry's room is par
ticularly tidyp it isn't as a rule, you
know"
90, he won't pay any attention te
such tribes, and 1 can't, out of common
civility, refuse such g small thing to
man who has travelled such a distance
Well, if you must take him. take