The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-06-21
OUR BALCONY BOARDER.
BY Eva Rice Moore.
WHEN we moved out to sprin,

vIyIIEN we moved out to Spring
w Greek we were, to say the
least, hard up. For years we had
been experimenting with life in the
city, and somehow had made Q fail
urc of it financially. So we went
back to the old farm life again, tired
enough Of the city and its crowded,
dusty ways. Still, we wanted to be
IN close touch with it, SO as to be
able to drive in with our products,
which were to be fruit and vegeta-
bes.
Sister and l counted over our lit
tie pile, all that remained after the
above mentioned experiences. 1t
amounted TO $50. Rent, n horse,
seeds, hired labor and our living to
come out of that" said my sister.
''lt can't be done, Amy"
GUNNER boarders would help"
responded, laconically.
80 they would; and it's such a
dear little place. so retired and ro-
mantle around that old creek back
of the house; and yet it's so CON
venient TO town, with the new trolley
line right past the door and one fare
10 the city"
Consequently. l had taking little
advertisement inserted in the Daily
Liar. and we were only fairly settled
in our birds nest of cottage" os
sister insisted on calling il, when
we received letter from a lady in
delicate health. . Mrs. Avery, ask
ing for particulars, which were soon
given and q room forthwith engaged
II was to be the front room up
stairs (there were only two above).
and the windows opened upon small
balcony. We had fitted the room up
beautifully, really having put about
everything nice we had in that room
and the parlor, leaving our own rooms
skinny enough; but then. bless you,
we were going to get So week for
board, and if the lady in delicate
health remained through July and
August (as she limited in her letters
would be the case. il suited, 1t
meant half years rent paid on our
little place.
When Mrs. Avery got off the trolley
car we were surprised to see a rosy
checked little woman Of about 30. who
looked the picture of health ar hap
pincss excepting for a little sad look
in her eyes. She assured US she was
not very sickly (Which we easily be-
licvedD, and only needed quiet rest
ing Zine and good nourishing food.
As we fingered on the veranda she
inquired how soon we could go for
her trunk. which was now at the sta
ton two miles away. She had a suit
case and a large telescope valise with
her
Il brought all my summer things"
she explained, because l hoped to
Ike il here very much"
And il won't be our fault If you
don't" returned sister. as she started
for the barn TO harness up old Flora,
our horse of all work.
Well, Mrs. Avery proved queer
boarder. She was little, slender
woman, with refined. sensitive face.
and YOU couldn't help be surprised
at the way the food set before her
disappeared. Such quantities OF meat.
vegetables, fruit and everything! She
had most of her meals sent to her
room, and nothing ever came back
We sent up half a chicken one day,
with all the filings, salad. cheese. a
plate Of fresh biscuit and half n
cherry pie. The chicken bones alone
returned To the kitchen.
Il see no profit i'm this summer
boarder," remarked my sister, with a
comical lifting of her brows.
But she's so little trouble" pro-
tested. "She stays up there in her
bower"
IL Is vcritable bower" inter-
rupted my sister, "since she's put
mat bright awning around the bal
eony and trained those vines around
y. She Is completely screened from
view, and yet can see rs much as she
likes herself"
onc morning another boardcr ar
rived. She was woman of some
note as a writer, OF wlrNAn we had
often heard. We had hoped to get
'"o ior each Of the upper rooms, bat
ma mad to be contcntcd with one in
'ach case. This last one was n spare,
"uN'erc-looking. single woman Of
.nadle age, Jean Jcwctt by name.
shc looked sharply at us. and spoke
~ brusquc TANNER which might at
another time have disconnected us;
""t we were anxious 10 secure a pay
ns uoardcr, and bcamcd airably upon
her.
Alags went along smoothly now.