The St. Johns herald., 1899-09-16

muSeQ after l1S own SaCurnlne IaSnlOI over the trials incidental to the position of landlord. "When 1t isn't taxes, it's leaky water pipes, and when 1t isn't that it's your neighbours drains over flowing your cellar or your tenant talk ing French leave without paying his rent. I wish 1 wds back on the old Stonyfleld farm again, raising straw berries and caulifowers. And l will be, too. I'll give this house to Harry Field; he's a good boy and if he really has fallen in love with pretty Olive Melton, it won't be bad wedding pres ent. I hope she's worthy of him-but women are all artificial nowadays. l suppose I must let him have his own way and go with him to see her this evening. For-HaIlo, there! Whats wanting"
 A tall, belligerent-looking man had given divers energetic jerks to the bell-knob.
 'Is this house to let?" he demanded. very red in the face with much bell pulling, as MT. Dart thrust his head out at the window.
 "Yes, sir, it is."
 "How much is the rent?"
 1.-TWO thousand dollars"
 'Tt's too much for a house in this locality"
 "You think so, sir?"
 "Yes, sir, do."
 "Well, sir, what consolation it must be to you that you're not obliged to pay it."
 And MT. Dart drew his head back and slammed down the window, to the inexpressible rage of the tall man.
 Hardly had he ceased congratulating himself on this masterly maneuver than a second peal reminded him that "this house" was yet ito let"
 This time it was fat woman, with a slovenly shawl and crumpled bonnet, and an abundance of cheap rings on her fingers. She went all over the house, and opened all the closet doors, investigated every separate cupboard shelf. and finally came to the conclu- sion that the house would do."
 "For, you see, want large house." said she, confidently, to MT. Dart. "I keep a children's school and"
 "You do, eh?' said MT. Dart. "Well, you can't keep it here."
 eve great mind to take down the bill," he thought, with ruffled temper and face like a radish. 'I hadn't an idea there was such meanness in hu- man nature! Dear, dear, there comes somebody else-two ladies. I wish they were not ladies! can kick man downstairs when he says an fmperti- nent thing to me, but don't know how to deal with women! That nearest one is clipper!'
 The ladies were evidently mother and daughter-a subdued, weak-looking lit tie woman in black, and tall, hand some girl of IS or 19, with brilliant black eyes, complexion like snow and roses, and singularly naughty way of carrying her lovely head.
 'Sir" began the mother, as they were ushered into the hall by MT. Dart, but the younger lady interrupted her.
 "De~hold your tongue, mother" she said sharply. "I can manage matters great deal the best. Are you the agent of this house, sir?"
 "Yes," said MT. Dart, with queer expression in his eyes.
 And is S2.OOO the lowest rent-the very lowest?'
 "Yes."
 'I told you so, dear," interposed the elderly lady, meekly. "Our means will not"
 "There you go again" snapped the daughter, with your everlasting cackle about means, means! I'm sick and tired of the sound of it. Will you show us the house, sir?'
 Mir. Dart obeyed, in his inmost heart pitying the subdued mother; the tall young lady swept like queen through the passages, pausing in each room to survey its adaptations for the purposes | to which she had assigned it in her | mind.
 ''I like the house." she said, imperi- ously. as they paused at length in the lower hall. Mother, you must take it?'
 "My darling" deprecated the mother, "$2, ,0OO a year! and papa's salary is only $1,200, besides the interest we | have to pay"
 turing. What do care whether papa 1