The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-08
A DESIRABLE HOUSE.

Mr.. and Mrs. Laurence .Franklyn had
got tired Of life in the country.
| OF course, wild roses, Strawberries
and cream, and the song of blackbirds
and linnnets before dawn were very
enchanting-but they had their balanc-
Ing disagreeables..g The gothic roof
leaked under Its braided greenery Of
wistaria vines and honeysuckle; the
kitchen stood an inch deep in water
whenever there was a trife heavier
rain than usual, and the half-mile walk
from the depot, however enchanting
In fowery time. gave Mr., Franklyn a
jumping neuralgia when traversed in
q drizzly equinoctial. The butcher for
got to call, just when his wares were
needed most, the: ELECTROMAGNETIC
charged little more than city prices
for his milk, eggs and butter. and the
cook and chamberrhaid left at the
end Of the first month. Il. -"
"Sorra bit will dacent girl be a.
Their stayin' in a haythen place like
this, where there's not a church spire
to be seen, and the frogs look at yez
like Christians through the basement
windows" said they.
So that life In the rural districts was
not altogether without trials to Mrs.
Laurence Franklyn; and about the
time that New York houses break out
Into a harmless erysipelas of bills,
having the legends,'s'To Let" and
For Sale, "'sse said to her husband:
Don't you think, dear, it would be
well enough for us to return to the
city,"
Eyes, l do" said Mr.. Franklyn.
Miss Julia Lesiardi, Mrs. Franklyn's
pretty eighteen"year-old sister, clap
ped her hands.
Good! good!" cried she. Nov, I
shall have some sort of chance at
morning concerts and the opera
again!"
And house-hunting commenced in
good earnest.
But 1t tagged after the first edge of
enthusiastic enterprise was worn off.
None of the houses suited exactly. Mrs.
Franklyn declared it was of no use
wearing out ones shoe-leather and
temper looking for what couldn't be
found. Mr.. Franklyn said it was q
pity they hadn't found that out before.
Mrs Franklin said that, as far as. she
was concerned, she would just as soon
stay where they were. Mr.. Tranklyn
retorted that anything was better than
an fndolent. woman. Mrs Franklyn
burst into tears. Mr.. Franklyn went
out of the room, banging the door be-
hind him. Miss Lesiardi declared that
all men were brutes, and that she for
one never intended to be married.
d Il don't care" sobbed Mrs. Frank
Ign. 1T was all Laurence's fault, taxi
ing this ,Ro4id, damp hole"
ON, Bee, how can you say so?" said
Miss Lesiardi MRS. Laurence Frank
lyn's .baptismal appellation was Beat
rix), you were as wild after it as he
was"
And" added Bee, ignoring this in
terruption, "if we have to live on the
grass under an umbrella, shall make
no further efforts"
Mr.. Franklin said the same thing.
and Miss Lesiardi was just making I'D
her mind to another season of frogs,
damp kitchen and fresh eggs at eight
cents piece, when Bee came exulting-
ly back from the city one evening.
"Oh, Julia" cried she I've seen the
sweetest little gem of house,"
been house-hunting, eh?" said Miss
l.esiardi, who had got tea ready-Uhe
thirteenth help" had gone off in a
huff that morning, avowing that life
In any tenement which did not boast
range with elevated ovens, was not
worthy of the name).
"Well-no, not exactly hol hunt
Ing, you know. I wouldn't do that af-
Ter Laurence's shameful behavior! But
saw the bill and | went In. Double
parlors, and frescoed dining-room in
he rear! Hot and cold water, gas,
'ange, baths, everything in short, and
he hall floor laid in those delightful
Mosaic patterns of tesselated marble!
The neighborhood delightful, the park
"And the rent?" eagerly demanded
Hiss Lcsiardi, with eyes like blue
noons
Only eighteen hundred year"
"Oh!" said Julia. But isn't that a
reat deal?"
mot when you consider the price Of
ouscs in general. I'll go back to-
morrow and secure 1t; but mind it's
secret. I don't want Laurence to
now that have taken any trouble,
ster his hateful woris!"
" don't quite believe in secrets be-