St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-03

could not hope to ford the miniature
lakes and SwampS which seemed to
have temporarily taken the place of the
broad, smooth and well-kept pavements
so characteristic of our city. We
walked in order to save car fare, and ar
rived at the place designated about $50.
The trim little cottage had an appear
ance of being occupied. Not wanting
to disturb the family, my friend Susie
and came in out of the wet and stood
Oh the piazza. Soon the door opened,
and frOwsled head. surmounted by a
rusty bonnet, looked out.
won't yez come in au' be looking
over the foine things while yez wait
ln,?'' said the woman, coaxingly.
We thought she was the houselleeper
left in charge, and accepted her invita-
ton. Our muddy boots made such a
visible track Oh the parlor carpet that
Susie suggested that we go back and
leave them on the porch. mo, no,
don't yez mind about the carpet at all,
sure little mud and wather never'll
Spite it, and it'll go all the cheaper
said our MileSian friend; then coming
closer she whispered, my Mary Ann is
goin' to be married jist afore Lent, an
if ! gets this carpet chape enough
won't it make her an Elegant weddin'
present."
"Then you are not the housekeeper?''
we laughingly asked. as we agreed with
her about the utility of the wedding
present.
With her nose lifted high in the
air, she assured us that she was
nObody'S servant; had an income of
her own, and always attended auction
sales. Several neighborS and herself
had come early in order to thoroughly
inspect the furniture, and decide what
they would take. Despite the old lady's
coaXing words. Susie and l left our rub
Der boots on the porch, and declined to
help in the process OF depreciating the
value of carpets.
The furniture and decorations had
been left intact,juSt as if the family had
only stepped out to the neighbOrs' for a
call and might come in at any moment
and protest against having a lot of
strangers rummaging through ward
robes and cupboards. We followed the
prudent housewives from room to loom.
Nothing escaped their sharp eyes. Mat
tresses and pillows were ripped open to
see if they were the simon-pure article.
warranted never to run down at the
heel nor wear out. A sharp penknife
took little hicks out of the furniture to
see if it were solid oak and walnut or
only combination of varniSh and polish
that was fair to look upon, but withal
only worm-eaten, soft pine at heart. A
wet towel tried if the Oil paintings We're
done in fast colors. The procession
moved merrily until the pantry was
reached and they tIsoy found the china and
silver locked out of reach.
The auctioneer's man, who was sup
posed to stand guard over the premises,
emerged from behind the dining room
stove, where he had been sleeping,
and said the auctIoneer would be
along in few minutes.
''Have the people really gone away
and left everything to be sold?" ques-
lions Susie, her brown eyes opening
wide.
Eyes, MISS yawns the sleepy
young man, slots of people come
here, rents house and furnishes it
nicely. Then after few months bust
ness don't pay or they get tired of living
here. They just pack their clothes and
leave, letting the auctioneer take
charge Of the whole house. He sells