Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-10-18

one morning month later. IL Ism
homelike. There's no cat here. Patty
Chickson always kept cat. There's
something very domestic and cOzy
looking about cat. I'll go out and
look down the advertising columns of
the daily paper and see what induce
ments they have to offer in the way
of quiet, respectable homes for elderly
gentlemen. "
So it came to pass that Mr.. Barna-
bas Burlington sailed forth, not house
hunting, but home hunting.
1t was not SO readily disposed of
business as he supposed. This house
was next to a livery stable; that one
contained young lady that was prac-
ticing for an opera singer; the third
smelled as if the drainage was defec-
tive; the fourth was too splendid the
fifth too shabby.
81 don't know but what l shall be
compelled to sleep at the station
house." gloomily remarked Mr.. Bar
nabas Burlington, "for, come what
may, nothing shall induce me to go
back to that noisy hotel, where the
walters don't come until you have
rung the bell 40 times, and the soup
is served half cold"
He was walking pensively along a
quiet and shady little street, with
both hands thrust deep down into
his pockets and the front Of his hat
tilted down over his nose, when
CHANGING to look up he perceived a
gray cat doing in the bay window OF
modest-looking house and on the door
way thereof was placed an unpreten-
tious notice
Board and Lodgings at Moderate
Prices.
81 like the looks of that place, " said
Mr.. Burlington. "They keep a cat
there-a gray cat. It's not splendid
but it looks comfortable. I'll try it. y
He rang the bell; neat little
maiden servant in white apron and
frilled cap responded to the summons,
please, sir, missls amt at home,
but I knows all about the rooms,
said the little damsel. 81 can show
EN-, and l can tell you the terms"
Barnabas Burlington liked the looks
of the rooms. There was a bright
coal fire burning in the crate.
"Missis wanted the rooms to be
well aired" said the girl, courtesying
at every other word.
"Your mistress, my girl, is woman
of sense, said Mr.. Burlington. "This
settles the matter. I'll take the apart
ments for a month certain, with the
privilege Of renewal if l find myself
suited.
He took off his hat, unwound the
comforter from about his neck and sat
down before the CHEEKY shine Of the
crate.
"Go and tear down the bill at once, "
said he. "And leave the door open
so that the cat can come in. l am
partial to cats y
"But, sir" hesitated the white
aproned lassie, "if my missis-"
"Never mind your mistress" said
Mr.. Burlington, cavalierly. "She
wanted boarder, and she's got one
What more would she have ?"
And, SO speaking, he hailed a cab
in the street and bade the driver 60
for his trunks and hat boxes without
delay.
Miss Chickson and Barbara had
been out selecting some new pie-plat-
ters and pudding basins and little
Betsy was eagerly watching for them
at the area door when they came in.
please, missis, said Betsy, "the
room is let. And he's sitting up stairs
now, with the cat in his lap"
"Who is ?" demanded Miss Chick
son.
The new boarder, ma am"
what is his name?"
Please, ma am, l don't know, said
Betsy.
Miss Chlckson walked lntO ner ht-
tie parlor and sat down, tanning her
self with her bonnet.
Betsy" said she, "go upstairs, pre-
sent my compliments to this stranger,
and tell him that shall be glad of an
interview at once. He may be burg
lar, for what l know"
Eyes N, said Betsy.
And away she tripped, returning
presently.
"He's coming, ma am, said she.
And in stalked-Mr. Barnabas Buff
fngton
GOOD gracious me !" said Miss