The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-11
On a New Basis.


better. according to my way Of think
ing
Mr.. Burlington was a portly individual,
with roman nose. iron-gray hair, and a
| stout. short figure.
J Mss Chickson was tall and spare, with
little spiral eurls and the remains OF a
| complexion, and with blue eyes, that had
been passing bright twenty years ago.
There is an end to ali human endur-
ance," observed the gentleman. sternly.
Sir said Miss Erickson, I have put
up with your eccentricities unit! forbear-
ance has ceased TO be a virtue
"A months notice. said Mr.. Buffing-
ton, savagely fouTisning his yellow silk
| Docket-handkerchief.
You are quite at liberty to go at the
end of twenty-four hours, for all l care!'
retorted Miss Erickson, with dignity.
Madame, I take you at your word, =
| said the gentleman.
| Sir, I shall congratulate myself if you
will, said the lady.
| So, when Mr. Burlington had gone
away, in a cab piled high with baggage,
Miss Chickson' rang the bell for her
maid.
Barbara" said she.
Yes, ma amp" said Barbara.
"Mr. Burlington is gone at last"
so I perceive, ma am" said Barbara.
| II VIII De necessary LOT us 10 Icuutc
| expenses" remarked the mistress. "Of
course I cannot any longer AFFORD 10
| keep so large a house as this. Mr.. Buf-
| fngton, whatever were his faults cannot
| at least be accused of parsimony."
Certainly not, ma am" said Barbara.
'Of ell liberal, free-handed. ldnd-spoken
gents"
Barbara, you will oblige me by hold
ing your tonguer' said Miss Chickson.
Certainly, ma'am,'' said Barbara.
| Get me a cup of tea said Miss
| Chickson, land when I have drunk it 1
will go out TO look for cheaper house,
in a less arlstocratic neighborhood"
Tea was so to speak, Miss Chickson's
| inspiration. When she was low-spirited
or in doubt or puzzled, or in any way
/ thrown off her mental balance, she
drank tea, and straightway became her
self againl
Meanwhile, Mr. Barnabas Buffin gton,
in the solitary splendors Of a west-end
hotel, was scarcely less Ill at ease
'I don't like this sort of thing at ALL
said Mr.. Burlington to himself. one
morning a month later. 1T isn't home
| like. There's no cat here. Patty Chick
son always kept a cat. There's some
thing very domestic and cosy-Iooking
about 4 cat. I'll go out and look down
the advertising columns of the daily pa
per and see what inducements they have
TO offer In the way of quiet, respectable
homes for elderly gentlemen"
So it came to pass that Mr.. Barnabas
Burlington sailed forth, not house hunt
ing, but home hunting.
It was not 50 readily disposed OF
business as he supposed.
II don't know but that shall be COM
PEELED TO sleep at the station-h1use,
gloomily remarked Mr.. Barnabas Buff
fington. '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 forty times, and
the soup is served half cold
He was walking pensiveIy along a
quiet and shady little street, with both
hands thrust deep down in HIS pockets
and the front Of his hat tilted down over
his nose, when. CHANGING to look up. he
perceived a grey cat doing in the bav
window Of a modest-looking house, and
on the doorway thereof was placed an
unpretentious notice:
Board and Lodging at Moderate
Prices"
IT like the look of that place" said
Mr. Burlington. "'They keep a cat there
"a grey cat. It's not splendid, but it
looks comfortable. I'll try it,
He rang the bell; a neat little maid
servant in a white apron and frilfed cap.
responded to the summons.
please, sir, missis amt at home but
knows all about the rooms" said the
little damsel. 81 can show 'em, and I
can tell you the terms"
Barnabas Burlington liked the look of
the rooms, and he did not object to the
terms. There was a bright coal fire
burning In the CRATE
'fATissis wanted the rooms to be well
aired" said the girl, courtesying at ev-
cry other word.
your mistress. my girl. is a woman Of
sense said Mr.. Burlington. This SCI
ties the matter. I'll take the apartments
for month certain. with the privilege
Of renewal If I find myself suited"
He took off his hat. unwound the COM
forter 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. I am partial
TO cats!'
"But sir" hesitated the waite-aproned
lassie. 'if my missis-''
Never mind your mistress" said Mr.
burlington, cavslierly. she wanted a
boarder, and she's got one! What more
would she have?"
And. so speaking. he hailed a cab IN
the street, and babe the diver go for
his trunks and hat boxes without delay
Miss Erickson and Barbara had been
out selecting some new pie-platters 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 upstairs row.
with the cat in his lap"
Who is?" demanded Miss Chlckson.
The new boarder. ma'am.'
What is his name?"
please, ma'am, don't know" said
Betsy.
Miss Chfckson walked into her little par
Tor and sat down, tanning herself with
her bonnet.
Betsy" said she. go upstairs. present
my compliments u this stranger. and
view "a once He may be burglar,
for what I know"
''Yes'm." said Betsy.
And away she tripped, returning pres
emily.
He's coming, rna'am." said she
And in stalke5-Mr. Barnabas BuT nE-
ton
Good gracious r1e"' said Mss Chck-
son.
'sTt's Patty Erickson. isn't it7" said
Mr. Burlington. staring with al his eyes
Il might have known that x was tire
same cat Howeye-. ma'sm reispsinC
into a bslliEercnt attitude. y Won't in
trude- I'll leave the premises al once
Don't" said Miss C1ickso1. family.
"Eh7" said NJ burlington.
II hops you don't bear nslice.' SAID
Miss Chicks1n I'm AFRAID was q IT,
tie impatient"
Don't mention So saii Nr BurinE-
ton 1T was al nv fault"