The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-02-03
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT
" This house to let !"

I IL lOOhSQ NCl y plS anu III pOelUS
this notice, viii its fat, black capita
letters, against the white ground
and Mr.. Dart stepped complacently
backward to eye the general effect o
it after he bad wafered the document
safely on the front door.
This house to let" repeated Mr.
Dart, slowly to himself. If people
can't read that, they must be blind
Now, III go in and wait for some
one to bite at the bait. No bother
OF real estate gents for memo COM
mission to eat up half the rent. III
transact my own business, or else
Ill go into a lunatic asylum ~
Mr. Dart was lat, fussy little e.
derly genteraan, with a very short
figure and a temper to match, and
as he sat IN the pretty reception
room, belonging to the brown-stone
English house which be had the
good or bad fortune TO own, and be
looked not unlike big bumblebee
in the heart of some huge tropical
fiower. For the room was papered
in pink and silver, and the carpets
were nioss-green velvet. and the fur
and there was general air of refine
ment about the room. which seemed
oddly incompatible with its brusque,
plainly-dressed occupant
it's trouble, trouble, and nothing
but trouble" grumbled Mr.. Dart. as
he unused, after his own saturnine
fashion over the trials incidental TO
tie position of landlord. "When il
isn't taxes its leaky water pipes. and
VIXEN If isn't tha; its your neighbor 5
drain overf1owing your cellar, or
your tenant taking French leave
without paying his rent. | wish
was back on the old Stonyfield farm
again, raising strawberries and caul-
flower. And ! will be. too. I'll give
this house to Harry Field he's a
good boy, and has always been a
dutiful nephew to his scolding old
uncle, and if he reallvhas fallen IN
love with this pretty Olive Melton,
it won't be had wedding present.
l hope she's worthy of him-bui
all women are artificial nowadays,
and / belive it would break nv
heart to see him wretched. He'll
not do anything without my appro-
baton. and suppose ! must let him
have his own wav. and go with him
to see her this evening. For-hallo
there, what's wanting2n
For a tall. belligerent-looking man
hsd given divers energetic jerks to
the bell-knob.
"Is this house to let2" he deman'
ded, very red in the face from much
bell-pulling, as Mr.. Dart thrust his
head out at the window.
"Yes, sir, it is"
How much is the rent?"
"TrFo thousand dollars.
Its too much for a house in this
locality"
You think so. sir?"
Yes. sir, do"
We'll. sir. what a consolation II
must be to you that you are moi
obliged tn pay it"
Ard Mr.. Dart drew bis head back
and slammed down the window. to
the inexpressible rage of the tall
man.
Hardly had he ceased congratu-
lating himself on his mastery ma
neuver when a second peal reminded
him that "this house" was yet "tc
let.'
This time il was fat woman, with
greasy black curls. a slovenly shawl
and crumpled bonnet, and an abun-
dance Of cheap rings on her fingers
She went all over the house, opened
all the closet doors, investigated ev-
ery separate cupboard-shelf. and f.
nally came to the conclusion that
the house would do"
For. you see, l want large
house" said she conhdentially, &c
Mr.. Dart. Il keep a children'f
school, and"
"You do, eh p said Mr.. Dart
Well. YOU can't keep it here"
Surely you don't object to child
ren." cried the fat woman with the
greasy curls
Most assuredly / do" said Mr.
Dart.
We'll, I'm astonished !" cried the
would-be tenant.
VERY likely said Mr. Dart, bow
/ ing her out of the front door.
The next applicant was an asth
matte old lady. with tall son whose
chief mission in life seemed to be tc
stare
The old lady tumbled up-stair:
and downstairs. finding fault miscel
laneously as she went-the son fol
lowing mute and wide-eyed-
Il don't like the house at aill'
wbeezed the old lady; but Ill give
vou fifteen hundred a year for it.