The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-11-17
TALES OF TEN TRAVELLERS.
Three Bachelors Court.
DY EDGAR L. wAKEMAN.

is narrow and cosy cross-street whlci
 in the maps and surveys bears thu
 name of one of the royal houses O.
 England.
 Through the circumstance of three
 staid bachelors, none of whom was ac quainted with either of the others, re
 siding at three separate and adjoining
 numbers, the other residents and tho tradesmen and market-boy frequent
 CTS of the quiet spot gradually came te
 call the neat little street "Three Bach. elors' Court"
 This interesting appellation clung tc
 the snug thoroughfare so long as three precise and prim bachelors came down
 to the street each morning, accompa- nied by three precise and prim little old ladies, who bade their respective bachelor companions each a stately good morning as they passed to their places of labor In the city.
 There was always an audience at the opposite and side windows to witness these curious morning partings.
 They were so, set and formal, they each seemed to so possess the manner of challenge to the others and to the neighborhood, that the street would not have been itself at all had not the accustomed scene occurred each morn- ing, precisely as on the preceding day, drawing from on-lookers their habitu- al quizzical, wondering and almost sympathetic smiles.
 The door of No. 2 always opened first
 The bachelor of this house was a sprightly, bright little fellow, and al ways held clasped firmly under his arm a ponderous leathern-bound book. He would descend exactly three steps, turn quickly, raise his hat in courtly manner to the little bland old lady in the door, who would murmur: "Now, don't overwork, Albert" whereupon the two would cast a nasty glance at numbers and Il, as if to say:
 This would be very comfortable street indeed, were they not in it!"
 Then the gentleman would turn to- ward Picadilly, and the little old lady would come! down to the street, stand in full view for a moment, as M>topro- test that she Mhs not the same, little old lady wilu belonged at No. or No. Il, when she would pass into her abode apparently well satisfied with. the un- derstanding of her own views and feel ings having been thus conveyed to those who were in waiting for this bit of pantomimtc self-assertion.
 Almost immediately the door of No. g. would hesitantly open. A large silk hat always af first slowly protruded This was followed by an olden boyish face, set off with gold-bowed glasses, struggling hair and shoulders slightly bent,
 If the occupant of No. had not yet the hat, head and should CTS were instantly withdrawn. If the coast was clear, a bland and kindly face .. came smiling down the steps. Head and face at once described an in- quiring arc, as if to search for weather portents; while a pleasant voice would call from the doorway:
 "I'd see you off, dear, but for Seven and Eleven"
 "Oh, 'botheE Seven and Eleven" al- ways came chirpingly. and affection ately back from the, street. Every body knows they're not us.. Home ear ly. Goodbye" ;.
 Then the little old woman from Mo-, g would go through the morning scene; of showing herself for bit. fo
 She would seven come out as far as the curbing .tShe would look pleasant, ly up and down the court; pick up any stray leaves and litter from the steps and fillip them into the roadway; give the door-knocker an extra touch with her apron; glance uneasily and almost at Nos. z and Il; and final, ly, as if now satisfied that all observ-i CTS. were aware what house she lived in, retire with a peaceful and content ed air behind her own door.
 The occupant of No. il was usually last to leave for the city. He had a more brusque and assertive way of of what had become an irk- some daily task.
 He most frequently appeared back first, as if in the act of closing a series of formal bowings to the little old lady who presided over his household.
 He made quicker work, too, of get ting around the corner, Strand way; though he never disappeared from the court without abruptly turning with a pleasant parting gesture" to the dear little old lady who always leaned far out upon the steps of No. Il to smile. and gesture back her loving parting; for this bachelor was myself; and this was my good own and my good aunt's way of letting Three Bachelors Court that we were neither of the. other couples who were so exaspera-. tingly like us and who lived 50 embar- rassingly near.
 "somethingll come of it," Aunt Prue used to say in the safe way which eld- erly women have of uttering prophecy
 I tried to show her that nothing in the world was more unlikely.
 "But there were never two more mysterious couples in London"
 Seven and Nine?" .
 Seven and Nine" .'f''.'
 ''No," would reply withAas merry smile as co,,ld muster to yanuuist