West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-09-18
A DESIRABLE HOUSE.
The Enterprising Manner in Which
1t Was Secured.

Mr.. and Mrs Laurence Franklyn had
got tired of life in the country.
Oh course, wild roses. Strawberries
and cream, and the song of backbirds
and linnets before dawn were very en-
chanting-but they had their balancing
disagroeables. The gothic roof leaked
under its braided grcenery of wisteria
vines and honeysuckle; the kitchen
stood an inch deep in water whenever
there was a triile heavier rain than
! usual. and the half-mile walk from the
! depot however enchanting in flowery
time, gave Mr.. Franklyn a jumping
neuralgia when traversed in a grizzly
equinoctiaL The butcher forgot to cali
Just when his wares were needed most.
the neNt-door neighbor charged a little
more than city prices for his milk. eggs
and butter, and the cook and chamber
maid left at the end of the first month.
80 that life in the rural districts was
not altogether without trials To Mrs.
Laurence Franklyn; and about the time
that New York houses break ont into a
harmless erysipelas of bills having the
legends, 10 Let and "For Sale she
sad TO her husband:
Don't you think, dear il would be
Wei enough for us TO return to the
city?"
Yes, do" said Mr.. Franklin.
Miss Julia Lesiardi, Mrs. Franklyn's
pretty eighteen-year-old sister, clapped
her hands.
Good goodr' cried she. Now I
shall have some sort of chance at morn
ing concerts and the opera again!"
Ana house hunting commenced i'm
good earnest But it Jagged after the
hrst edge of enthusiastic enterprise was
worn oil. None of the houses suited
Exactly, Mrs. Franklyn declared that
1t was OF no use wearing out ones shoe
leather and temper looking for what
couldn't be found. Mr. Franklin said
Ut was pity they hadn' found that out
before. Mrs Franklyn said that, as
lar as she was concerned, she would
lust as soon stay where they were Mr.
FrankIyn retorted that anything was
better than an lndolent woman. Mrs.
Franklin burst into tears, Mr.. Frank
lyn went out of the room, banging the
door behind him. Miss Lesiardi de-
ciarci that all men were brutes, and
that she Tor one never intended 10 be
married
i don't care" sobbed Mrs Frank
lyn. 1T was all Laurence's fault. tax
ing this horid, damp hole"
%, Bee, how can you say so2' said
MISS Lesiardi (Mrs. Laurence Frank
lyn's baptismal appellation was Bea-
trlD. You were as wild after il as
lie was"
And" added Bee. ignoring this in
terruption, ''if we have to live on the
grass under au umbrella / shall make
no further efforts"
MIR Franklyu said the same thing
and Miss Lesard was Just making up
her MIND 10 another season Of frogs,
damp kitchen and fresh eggs at eight
cehts apiece, when Bee came exultant-
ly N9ck from the city one evening.
'}h' Julia, cried she, Il We seen the
sw etcst little gem OF "a hou.cp'
Been house. hunting, eh?" asked
M s., esiardi
"We.l-no. not exactly house-hunt
ing you know I wouldn't do othatafter
Lnrence's shameful behavior! But
saw the bill and I went i'm. Double
paIors, and frcscoed dinin room in
tic rear hot and cold water. gas.
thc hall floor laid i'm those delightful
mo aic patterns Of tcssclatcd marble.
IE" ueighborhOOd delightful, the park
handy '
and the rcnt?' eagerly demanded
Mis- Lesiard. with eyes like blue
moons.
"'n'y eighteen hundred a year
'' b. said Julia, "but isn't that a
greal tcal2"
Not when you consider the prices Of
house in general III 90 back 10 NOR
row and secure 10; but mind. ipsa Sc
crrt don't want Laurence TO know
thHt ] have taken any trouble. after bis
hateful word
don quite believe in secrets be-
tW "p husbands aud wives said Julia
Lc.rrli But of course I'll keep your
stc.ot''
" Mrs Franklin had retired 90 bed
when her husband came home Miss
LcsiardL however was up 20 pour his
tc5
Wen Julia" said Mr.. Franklin.
tr.ump.anily. I've found the very
huf.r we want"
Julia looked up with almost scared
cXpre- ion IN her face
You haven't taken 10. Laurcuce2''
" No but J shall o.mOrrow."
81 Wouldn't do anything without
consulting Bee pleaded Julia.
u shall g .c her % pleasant sur
prise said Mr. trnkly1. buttcring
muIin. Rewember. Ju. this IS be
tween YOU au me
OBJ. OF course said Julia. be-
ginning 70 feel "a little embarrassed bv
tho amount Of confidence reposed in
her
ariy nest morning Mr. Franklin
We To- New FORK Zee followed i'm
th- most Or p while Miss Icsiardi
hr utbl's,iy .itcd the crisis
$50 ehg have ia 1.-Two ir t.o