The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-21
THIS HOUSE TO LET.
This house to let.n

IhlS house to let.' E.. &c. 4. ...
Mr.. Frank Bayberry's Perston morn
ing gown tloated elike a meteor on the
troubled air. as he rushed out before
breakfast and wafered the truculent-
looking bill on the front of the house
with four fat red waters.
The milkman across the way stared {;
the neighbours servant-maid paused in
her occupation of flirting dust into the
corners of the area and then out again.
In short, it made small sensation in
the neighborhood, and sensations, as we
all know, widen indefinitely. a
While Mr.. Bayberry went back into
the house with the air of one who has
not lived in vain.
"Therel" said he. 81 have put a
bill up"
'I'm glad Of it," said Mrs. Bayberry,
''for between obstreperous servant
girls, and everlasting plumbers bills,
and baby's teeth, Pm completely worn
out, and tired of housekeeping.
cit will be like new lease of life to
board for little while"
'IImnphl'' said Mr.. Bnyborry. sI,m
not SO sure of that. ''S .
','But the bill is up anyhow, and the
next thing is to get the old place rented
and off our hands,"
And with the striking of ten O. clock
(the house, as mentioned in the fine
print of the "To Let" was visible
between the hours of. ten and two,)
there set in a solid phalanx OF house
hunters of all varieties.
At first Mrs. Bayberry endeavored to
treat the house-hunters politely, but
she soon discovered that lf-defence
required different method of treat
nent; aid when Mrs. Foxley said the
cellar smelt like an old vault and that
the house wasn't fit for decent people
to live in, she simply remarked that
there was no law requiring her, Mrs.
Foxley, to live in it if she didn't like
it.
Mrs. FitZfaddle, the bride, didn't
like the location.
Her James, she was sure, wished to
be nearer the park; and she was sorry
the house had not hardwood finish
and electric bells.
"But," cried Mrs. Bayberry, "you
can't expect that sort of thing for three
hundred a year"
The bride tossed her head.
Evidently she didn't mean to be die
tated to. .. ,
Everybody was going into flats now,
she said, and she didn't know why she
wasted her time in looking at dingy old
houses like this.
And after two o. clock, when Mrs.
Bayberry had retired to her room to
have Mysteries and green'tea at her leis-
,We, the house-hunting public made un-
ceasing charge up the steps and at the
door, still demanding adnittance; until
at last, Mrs. Bayberry, peeping through
the window-blinds, saw stout gentle
man coming ap the steps, with q gold
headed cane and a broad-brimmed bea-
yer hat.
Madam said the, old gentleman,
81 wish to take this house."
''You wish to look at it, you mean, -
said Mrs. Barberry feebly. "But the
hours for Inspection"
MADAM" firmly repeated the old
gentleman, II wish to take it.
"T0 engage ito rent it from the
first Of May next"
''But you haven't seen it'' cried
Mrs. .Bayberry.
Madam" said, the old gentleman,
81 don't wish to see it.
my family consists of myself, an
invalid relative, and an old servant.
'And it must be a very poor house
indeed, If it does not meet our simple
requirements.
'Shall I take down the bill?
"My references are Iettall and Co.,
real estate agents, No--Pine street, .
''If you please" said Mrs. Bayberry,
feeling as if q weight had been lifted
off her heart.
$50 down came tho "To Letl" and
fiuttered into the gutter.
+ Mr.. Bayberry arrived to late tea
with a lobster and q bunch Of spring
lettuce under his arm.
"Well, Fanny" said he, GIVE got
good news for you.
''rhe house Is let!n