The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-25

%f8Sa ''Oh, there will
@1-N be none!' said Mr..
as6|s Dewey, the board
ing and real estate agent, nibbling the
end of his pen. "I know Mrs. Sweet
clover very well-a most respectable
widow, inreduced circumstances-and
I know all about Seafoam Lodge, de-
lightful place, on the edge of the
ocean, where man can't help being
healthy"
every well," said Mr.. McCorkin-
dale. "Let her know that I consider
the thing bargain. 7 will send my
trunks on Monday of next week"
Mr.. McCorkindale had been sum-
mering at the Adirondacks, and had
found that mountain breezes, black
flies and dried pine-needles didn't
agree with him. He was now resolved
to try the seaside. And he went home,
well pleased with the bargain he had
made.
Now, Mr.. Dewey was in partner
ship-Dewey & Salter-and so neatly
dovetailed together were the arrange
ments of the firm, that Mr.. Salter, who
dined at half-past twelve o'clock, came
to "keep Office" exactly at the hour in
which Mr.. Dewey, who dined at half
past one, took up his hat and cane to
depart. And scarcely had Mr.. Salter
lighted his cigar, and settled his chair
back at exactly the right angle of the
wall, than in came Miss Matte Mil
foil, blooming young old-maid, who
gave lessons in swimming at the Aqua
Pura Academy.
II want board at the seaside for q
month" said she. cat place, please,
where there are no other boarders.
Prices must be moderate, and surf
bathing is necessity"
"Ah," said Mr.. Salter, bringing his
chair down on its four legs at once,
'the very place! Mrs. Sweetclover, 8
client of ours, has taken Seafoam
Lodge, on the New jersey coast, and
has clean, light, airy room to let,
with good board, no mosquitoes"
eyes, I know" said Miss Milfoil.
"Just let me look at her references"
The references proved satisfactory.
Miss Milfoil struck bargain at onoe.
''Let Mrs. Sweetclover expect me
on Monday" she said; and Mr.. Salter
pocketed his commission with inward
glee.
"Anything doing?" Mr.. Dewey
asked, when he came back from din
ner, with pleasant oleaginous flavor
of roast pork and applesauce about
him.
I've let Mrs. Sweetclover's room
for her." said Salter.
"Hellol' cried Dewey; "I let it,
this morr;ng, to old McCorkindale!"
"And I've just disposed of it to Miss
Milfoil," sputtered Salter. "Why the
deuce didn't you enter it on the
books?"
ga man can't think of everything"
said Mr.. Dewey; "snd I was going to
enter it when I came back"
"But what are we to do now?" said
Salter.
Nothing" said Dewey. "Ten to
one, one of the parties won't keep the
contract. We're not to blame, that I
can see"
And Mr.. Dewey, philosopher after
his way, arranged his bulletin board
anew, and sat down, q human spider,
to await the coming of any flies who
might be disposed for business.
Mrs. Sweetclover, in the meantime,
had swept and garnished Seafoam
Lodge, until it was fresher than a cow
slip and sweeter than roses.
She had decorated her upstairs
room with China mating, fresh mus
lin curtains, and dimity covers to the
bureau and dressing table.
''I do hope shall be able to let It'll"
said Mrs. Sweetclover, with a sigh.
"But there are so many seaside lodg-
ings this year that-Dear me! here
comes gentleman and valise up the
beach-road, and as true as live, he's
making straight for my house!"
"Haye my trunks arrived?" said
the gentleman-''name of McCorkin-
dale"
'Sir" said Mrs. Sweetclover.
'T engaged the room through
Dewey & Salter," said Mr.. McCork-
indale, ''last week"
'It's the first I've heard of it, !"
said Mrs. Sweetclover, all in q furry.
But you're kindly welcome, sir, and the
room is quite ready, if you'll be so
good as to step up stairs
"Humph! humph! said Mr.. Nc
Corkindale, gazing around him with
the eye of an elderly eagle. Every
clean - tolerably airy-superb view
from the windows Upon my word 1
like the look of things"
''Do you think the apartment will
suit?" said the widow, timidly.
''Of course it will suitl'' said Mr..
McCorkindale. Here is a month 8
board in advance-ten dollars a week,
the agent said. You may serve din
ner at one o'clock. Bluefsh, roast
CLAIMS, lobster -salad-any sort of sea-
food you may happen to have. I don't
eat desserts. And now I'm going out
to walk on the seashore."
Mrs. Sweetclover looked after him
with eyes of rapture.
"The boarder of all others that 1
would have preferred" said she. 81
am in luck! I thought yesterday,
when I saw the new moon over my
right shoulder, that something fortu-
nate was going to happen.
But Mrs. Sweetclover had not
stuffed the blue-fsh for baking, when
a LIGHT firm f0nt.sten crossed the