The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-10-11


was next to a livery stable; that one
contained young lady that was
practicing for an opera singer; the
third smelled as if the drainage was
defective; the fourth was too splendid;
the fifth too shabby.
II don't know but what l shall be
compelled to sleep at the station
house." gloomily remarked Mr.. Barna-
bas 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 in his
pockets and the front of his hat tilt
ed down, over his nose, when, chanc-
ing to look up, he perceived gray cat
doing in the bay window of a modest
looking house and on the doorway
thereof was placed an unpretentlous
notice:
Board and Lodgings at Moderate
Prices"
II like the look of that place" said
Mr.. Burlington. 'They keep cat
there-a gray cat. It's not splendid,
but it looks comfortable. I'll try 1t"
He rang the bell; a neat little maid
servant in white apron and frilled
cap responded to the summons.
please, sir, misses amt at home,
but l knows all about the rooms"
said the little damsel. Il can show
EN-, and l can tell you the terms.
Barnabas Burlington liked the look
of the rooms. There was bright
coal fire burning in the crate.
misses 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. III take the apart
mentS for a month certain, with the
privilege of renewal if | find myself
suited"
He took off his hat, unwound the
comforter from about his neck and
sat dONu DtlOEt lie 1ISClS SIiiliN Va
the CRATE.
60 and tear down the bill at once,
said he and leave the door open
so that the cat can come in. am
partial to cats.'
But, sir" hesitated the white
aproned lassie, 'if my missis-"
Never mind your mistress" said
Mr. Burlington. cavalierly. "She want
ed a boarder and she's got one. What
more would she have?'
And, 50 speaking, he hailed a cab In
the street and babe the driver go FOR
his trunks and hat boxes without de-
lay.
Miss Chickson and Barbara aad
been out selecting some new pie-plat-
terS and pudding basins and little Bet
sy 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 isl" demanded Miss Chick
son.
1.-The new boarder ma'am."
"What is his name"
"Please, ma'am, l don't know" said
Betsy.
Miss Chickson walked into her little
parlor and sat down, tanning herself
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 a
burglar, for what 1 know
"Yesm," said Betsy.
And away she tripped, returning
presently.
:Hes coming, ma'am," said she.
And in stalked-Mr. Barnabas Buff
fngton!
Good gracious mer' said Miss
Chickson.
"It's Patty Chickson, isn't it," said
Mr.. Burlington, staring with all his
eyes II might have known that it
was the same cat. However ma am"
relapsing into a belligerent attitude,
81 won't intrude. I'll leave the
premises at once"
Don't" said Miss Chickson, faint
| ly.
"Eh?" said Mr.. Burlington.
Il hope you don't bear malice"
said Miss Chickson. I'm afraid l
was a little impatient"
Don't mention it," said Nh Buffing-
! ton. ut was all my fault
Il was unreasonable said Miss
| Chickson.
81 was brute said Mr.. Burlington.
81 have reproached myself bitterly"
| faltered the lady.
II haven't had moment of peace
( since" said Mr.. Barnabas Burlington,
| sincerely.
"Shall we forget and forgive"
whispered Miss Chickson.
81 know a better plan than that"
/ said Mr., Burlington. Lets begin the
world on a new basis"
81 don't understand Won" said Miss