The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-08-05
BACHELOR BARTON.

When we were first married we bought
little cottage in the midst Of a pretty
garden-a cottage that had just four
rooms and garret in all, but we
wanted no more
Once the property Of the late Miss
Jancy Free, the real estate dealer said
IN his circular.
We did not think much about Miss
Free, however, only that her old.fash.
ioned furniture-just what every one was
going wild over-went with the house,
and that We could make it the prettiest
little nest in the world. We were begin.
ming the world. Why should we think
Of those who had done with it?
Why should Jack and Lottie Deane,
just married, ask what had been the
hopes and griefs of Nancy Free, spinster.
some time dead? We live for ourselves
in this world.
Jack bought the house we moved in.
The place had been very carefully kept
clean by the agent, and began to ar.
range and rearrange, to tie ribbon bows
on chairs, to loop fresh muslin curtains
at the window panes, to fill the old china
vases with flowers, thinking Of Jack the
while, As bride would be apt to do,
when looking out Of the window l saw O
quaint old figure coming up the road
that Of man very old in years, and who
had not changed his garb with the fash.
ions Of the times.
His hat had bell crown and rolling
rim, his collar and coat and necksrchisf
were OF the sort we see in our grand.
fathers portraits. Ihad had him pointed
out to me as Bachelor Barton" and
been told that he was rich and Of good
old family, and had once been disap.
pointed in love.
! hid myself behind the curtain and
watched him curiously as he came on,
wondering II he we're once q handsome
young fellow like my Jack, and IL he had
loved some ono as Jack loved me, and
how 1t was that youth could change to
age and golden locks to gray, and why IL
need to be, when to my surprise he
paused at the gate of my garden and en-.
tered
Perhaps his old-fashioned politeness
led him to call upon the strangers,
after the good old custom so rapidly dy.
ing out.
A moment more my little maid brought
me his card, and with q glance at the
mirror. hurried down to greet him.
Close at hand Bachelor Barton was
older than he had seemed from my up
Per window, and Trailer, but his face had
sweet expression still.
pardon my intrusion, madam" ho
said. Il saw the house open for the first
time for years ard could not restrain my
self from approaching the door. knew
It we'll in bygone days. when Miss Nancy
Free and her mother lived here. came
here often then. was very intimate
friend. wanted to see the dear old
rooms once again. Miss Free was eighty
when she died; I am eighty.five. But
we were very young people when We
first mst-twenty-on aad twenty.six.
You think me an eccentric old creature
no doubt, but 1 want to see the house
once before / die, for old times sake"
"Coms in, SIR" said. II shall be
happy to show you every corner Of it. ]
think / understand-"
AS young people understand such
things" he said. Happily they can
not quite know how the old feel--not
quite"
He held his quaint old hat in his hand
as he spoke, and gave ME sad smile
that drew his face into hundred tiny
crows feet, and as motioned the way
he followed me into our little parlor and
sat down.
Nothing altered" he said. 1This is
old Mrs. Frees furniture, that had been
her grandmother in Revolutionary days.
They say 1t is the fad of the time to buy
itup or have limitations of it. The brass
andirons, the shovels and tongs. the
carved chairs, the escritoire-I remember
them all. This is Turkish carpet
there are hardly any Of them to be found
now. Yes, Mrs. Free sat here, and
Nancy played the guitar and I sang
You would not think that sang-or,
remsmber, she worked at her tambour
frame while ! read aloud from tho
poets
He moved his head slowly about,
noting every dstail-the peacock feather
fans, the cut-glass decanters and glasses,
the painted china in the corner cup.
board, the footstool like melon, the
lamp mat like a rose. Nothing had worn
out or grown shabby in the spinstsr's
little homo
"Once, he said, "Niss Nancy sat for
miniature to painter then well
known. 1t was speaking likeness.
Does it by chance remain in the houssi"
II think it does, said. "Ths heir, a
nephew. rich man. who lives in New
Orleans, wrote orders that the house
should be sold with all its belongings,
and think the miniature you mean is
here."
went to the escritoire and drew from
one Of the drawers the likeness Of lady
painted on ivory and set in a narrow
gold frame. l doubt if ii really rssem-
bled any living being.
1t was beautiful doll, all pink and
white, with blue eyes, little brown curls
penciled on the forehead aud q white
frin about the neck, but as put 1t into