The record-union., 1894-11-17
THREE BACHELORS COURT.

copyrighted, 1894, by Edgar L. Wakeman.
All rights reserved.
In that pleasant quarter of London ly-
ing between Picadilly and the Strand is
a narrow and cosy cross street which, in
the maps and surveys, bears the name Of
one of the royal houses of England.
Through the circumstance of three staid
bachelors, none of whom was acquainted
with either ofthe others, residing at three
separate and adjoining numbers, the
other residents and tradesmen and mar
ket boy, frequenters of the quiet spot,
gradually came to call the little street
"Three Bachelors Court"
This interesting appellation clung to
the snug thoroughfare so long as three
precise and trim bachelors came down to
the street each morning, accompanied by
three precise and prim little old ladies,
who babe their respective bachelor COM
panions 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
the curious morning partings.
They were so set and formal, they each
seemed to so possess the manner Of chal-
lenge 10 the others and to the neighbor-
hood, that the street would not have been
itself at al had not the accustomed scene
occurred each morning, precisely as on
the preceding day, drawing from on
lockers their habitual quiZzical, wonder
ing and almost sympathetic smiles.
The door OF No. always opened first.
The bachelor of this house was a spright-
ly, bright little fellow, and always held
clasped firmly under his arm q ponder
Gus leathern- bound book. He would de-
scend exactly three steps, turn quickly,
raise his hat in a courtly manner to the
little bland old lady in the door, who
would murmur: Nov, don't oVerwork,
Albert" whereupon the two would cast
u hasty glance at Nos. 8 and IL as ii to
say:
This would be a very comfortable
street indeed were they not in it!''
Then the gentleman would turn toward
Picadilly, and the little old lady would
come down to the street. stand in full
view for 4 moment, as II to protest that
she was not the same little old lady who
belonged at No. or No. II, when she
would pass into her abode apparently
we'll satisfied with the understanding of
her own views and feelings having been
thus conveyed to those who were in watt
ing for this bit of pantomimic self-asser-
ton.
AlulOSI lu11lSuidlely Inc uOOT OF NO.
would hesltatingly open. A large silk
hat always at first protruded. This was
followed by an olden boyish face, set off
with gold-DOwed glasses. struggling hair
and shoulders slightly bent.
If the occupant OF No. Z had not yet
disappeared, the hat, head and shoulders
We're instantly Withdrawn. If the coast
was clear, bland and kindly face came
smilingly down the steps. Head and
face at once described an inquiring arc as
ii to search for weather pCrtents, while
Il pleasant voice would call from the
doorway:
''I'd see you of, dear, but for Seven
and Elevenn'
''Oh, bother Seven and ElevenW always
came chirpingly and atiectionately back
from the street. Every body knows
they are not US. Home early. Good
by!'
Then the little old woman from No. 8
would go through the morning scene of
showing herself for a bit.
She would even come out as far as the
curbing. She would look pleasantly up
and down the court, pick up any stray
leaves and litter from the steps and flip
them into the roadway, give the door
knocker an extra touch with her apron,
glance uneaSlly and almost diSdainfully
at Nos. and II. and finally, as ii now
satisfied that all observers were aware
what house she lived in, retire with
peaceful and contented air behind her
own door.
The occupant of No. IL was usually last
TO leave for the city. He had more
brusque and assertive way of dispos-
ing OF what had become an irksome daily
task.
He most frequently appeared back first,
as If in the act OF closing series of for
NAL bowings to the little old lady who
presided over his household.
He made quicker work, too, of getting
around the corner, Strand way, though
he never disappeared from the court with
out 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 my
self and this was my own and my good
aunl's way of letting Three Bachelors
Court understand that we were neither
of the other couples who were so exas-
peratingly like us and who lived so enl-
barrassingly near.
.soomethiug'li come of it,n Aunt Prua
I1sed to say III the safe way which elderly
women have OF uttering prophecy.
| tried to show her that nothing in the
world was more unlikely.
s.But there were never two more mys-
ferrous couples IN Londonv'
..Seven and Nine?'
ssSeven and Nine"
l. a
emile as / could muster to vanquish her
1orebodings, unless it be at Nine aud
ElevenW
rms would always quiet her tempo
rariIy. but, dear that she was! it never
LETT her wholly free from anxiety.
No. I3 was vacant Aunt Prue had
offan SUGGESTED that we lease it in order
to emphasize our individuality. When [
looked up the agent, found him to be
the same who had charge of our house.
Rut No. Is could not be had. It's
owner was also the owner OF Nos. Z, 9and
II. and might at any time wish the
place for his own use.
s,He is a traveller" the agent said
choppily, land can afford to let the house
stand idle When he leaves the road he
wishes snug quarters for himself In the
city"
Tiat was all the information to be got. 1t
added TO the complications OF the situa-
ton. What if this traveller was another
bachelor. ana should bring along another
little old lady to take charge OF his house
holdi Why, the entire court would break
from smiles into outlaws.
| told Aunt Prue that Immediately after
NV summer vacation, which was now at
hand. was done, we would look about for
other quarters, perhaps out Chelsea way,
and this brought the sunshine INTO her
zee until one morning when she DECK
oued me to the front window.