Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-09
DAILY SHORT STORY
RENTING A HOUSE.
COriginal J

himself Il shall never marry, auQ u
beginning 10 tire of spending all my
earnings at my club or forced 10 go
out and see some one. I've furniture
enough 10 set up housekeeping, and a
whole house would be much better
than rooms in a bachelor apartment
especially for poker parties.
lady came along and, seeing the
man looking at the house. asked:
DO YOU know TO whom il belongs"
Il do not he replied, raising his hat
and looking into a very pretty face.
II see it is to let" she explained.
and one renting a house had better
deal with the owner direct One can
get better terms, for there is no COM
mission to pay"
That would be a womans way" be
replied. Your sex are famous for look
Ing out for SalvageS"
IF we didn't there would be no such
thing as marriage in the world. Men
can't run households as economically
as women do. They would use up all
the income long before the end of the
year. think ri go in and take a
look -
Would you mind nay doing the same.
l promise You not 10 tdhe Tue mousse IL
you want it
Certainly not; 1t is in open market"
|. They went up the walk together and
rang the bell An elderly woman came
10 the door and admitted them.
II think the house will suit you she
said-"that is, If you don't want it for
a large family. How many children
have you?"
The lady blushed and turned away,
the gentleman. pretending not to have
heard the question. went into the par
Tor and gaped at the ceiling.
There's four bedrooms on the floor
above" the occupant went ON. The
front would do nicely for you two,
while the children could occupy the
! other three"
The lady hurried back into the dining
| room and kitchen.
They're mighty independent of each
other" thought the occupant. Il won
der if they aren't only engaged"
The lady having finished inspecting
the rear came into the parlor, where
the man was still gaping.
Il don't know anything about the
| advantages or defects in houses" he
said to her. Would you mind my go
| ing through with you while you give
me hint here and there"
Certainly. l shall be happy TO serve
you"
The two went upstairs and the Oc-
cupant remained below. They don't
need to be watched she said to her
self. and III just keep on with my
! work
The lady pointed out the qualifica-
lions Of the house, but said 1t was
rather large for her purpose, as she
| lived entirely alone. 1t would be bet
ter suited for a couple with one or two
small children. The man was aston
| ished that he had not noticed the de
fects or the advantages, all of which
were as plain to her as the knave of
spades to him.
Il don't want it," she said.
Nor L." said he. Il shall remain in
bachelor apartments. l am convinced
that no man has any use for house
without a woman in It,"
And q couple of rooms will better
serve a spinster," she remarked.
"A house must be very nice for two
people who care to live together" he
said musingly.
i There are certain matters a woman
likes TO leave TO a man. she remarked
in the same tone
And household affairs must be I'M
: der the care of a woman
; They went downstairs together,
thanked the occupant for having so
e kindly shown them the house and went
out. There was but one line of street
cars for them to take to get back into
=. town, so they got aboard the same car
That's the oldest couple ever met"
said the occupant OF the house as she
saw them board the ear. They're not
ged, I'm sure. They're not sweet
enough TO each other. They're more
.. like married people They haven't
much use for each others opinion. The
woman went of tn look AT the dining
room and kitchen without paying any
attention to the man. who seemed very
impractical for a married man. ! won
der if they'll take the house"
The LIST Of May came and passed. aud
the cottage was not taken. On the ID
Of June there was ring at the door
bell and when the occupant opened the
door there stood the couple who had
looked ri the house But how different
in their treatment OF each other! The
man carried the lady's wrap, stepped
aside for her to pass in and was I'M
usually attentive.
rs this house still In the market"
asked the man.
Yes
Wen take II. When can we get
possession -
Whenever you wish"
Very well. You move out Thursday
morning and well move in Thursday
afternoon"
But the cleaning. dear" remarked
the lady. That will require two days
at least
'Oh. | forgot. / don't know any
thing about such things. At any rate,