The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-04-05
BEHIND THE SCENES.

lyon see, my boy" said Uncle Ho-
bart, 'matrimony is dangerous thing.
You take house for, say, year, and
if it doesn't suit at the years end you
give it up and take another. You buy
a horse, and if it balks you send it off
to auction to be sold. But with wife
it is altogether different You can nei-
Their sell nor exchange her-it's a life
long bargain
"But, Uncle Hobart, " said the nephew
and heir apparent of that gentleman,
"let's take mother view of the matter.
Suppose that she is all that is lovely,
excellent and desirable?"
Uncle Hobart Renshaw rubbed his
nose.
AS an invcterate bachelor of five and
fifty he was naturally inclined to take
the less sanguine view of the case.
paul" said he, cts of no use to
argue the matter. A young man in love
is a young man mad for the time being
If you've made up your mind to get
married, not all the arguments in crea-
ton will avail against it. Only be sure
you make a right choice. Remember
how much depends upon it.
Paul Fontaine laughed good humored-
ly. Like all young men, he thought so
much caution quite unnecessary.
'There arc two sisters of these Lind
leys, you say?" said Uncle Hobart re-
flectively, polishing his glittering. spec
taole glasses.
"Two, sir--Emily and Esther. "
"Both of 'em pretty?'
''As twin blush roses, sir. -
"There you go!'' said Uncle Hobart
testify. Fright into sentiment, just like
q three volume novel.
"Well, sir, isn't it natural enough to
compare pretty girl to a beautiful
flower? If L could think of any other
comparison
'You needn't trouble yourself" in
terrupted Uncle Hobart "What want
to find ont is what they are like +"
"Esthor is bright and sparkling;
Emily is all softness and refinement.
Esther is q brunette with the BLACKLIST
hair I ever saw. Emily has chestnut
curls and blue eyes, and lovely, fair
complexion. g."
Exactly. Uncle Hobart hummed
IN old tuno which hal been popular in
his youth:
Black eyes most dazzle at ball;
Blue eyes most please when shadows fall.
And which do you like best Paul,
eh?"
''They arc both of them oharlningp
energetically answered tho young man.
Upon my life, uncle, sometimes wish
that tho Turkish system prevailed here,
and that l could marry both Of them. "
Difficult to decide which is the most
fasoinating?" questioned Uncle Hobart
But the thing is, my lad, which will
wash and wear the best for everyday
life?'
THAT is question which the future
will decide, uncle. Unfortunately we
have no chemical test to decide the mat
tor. >"
"Think not?" said Uncle Hobart dry.
ly. "Look here, Paul, up to the present
time you have only seen these girls
through the chiaroscuro of visiting dress
and company manners. What would
you give to behold them as they really
aro---to get peep behind the scenes?"
Half that am possessed of, uncleP'
cried out Fontaine, with animation, "if
only to be able to satisfactorily prove TO
you, sir, how pure and noble and high
souled they are. But all this is non.
sense OF course it is an impossibility
Nothing of the Sort" said Uncle
Hobart. lyon say that up to the pres
ont these girls do not know mo personal.
ly or of my connection with tho board
of health. Well, it is true that l am
neither wizard nor magician, but l
ain what is quite as useful in this mat
ter--a sanitary official. go into peo-
ples back doors when wish it, stride
remorselessly through their kitchens and
cellars when l want to see for myself
rather than trust my inspectors. | am
at liberty TO take down stairs view of
the world. Eth, young man, what do
you think of that?"
Paul Fontaine stared.
"I don't understand how
"But you will, doubtless, when l tell
you that the Lindleys' house is in my
district; that / have decided to go there
tomorrow morning to SEQ personally
that all the drainage is perfect. If you
choose to volunteer little help, I'll
disguise you as one of my men and
"With all my heart, unclol' cried
the young man, with glittering eyes
and heightened color 81 fear no ordeal
to which you can subject Esther an3
Emily. Believe me, the metal will ring
truep'
"Well, we'll sec, (" said Mr.. Renshaw.
In the meantime suppose you ring for
tea.
Mr.. Hobart Renshaw was man OF
property, but he was also man OF pc
culiarities. One Of these was to earn