Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-04-25
THE TWO
BIDDERS.
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4 BIDDERS. s
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Mr.. and Mrs. Laurence Franklyn
had got tired of life in the country.
The gothic roof leaked under Its
braided greenery of wistaria vines
and honeysuckle; the kitchen stood
an inch in water whenever there
was a trif1e heavier rain than usual:
and the half mile walk from the
depot, however enchanting in flowery
time. gave Mr.. Franklyn jumping
neuralgia when traversed in drizzly
equinoctial. The butcher forgot. to
call Just when his wares were need
ed most, the next-door-neighbor
charged little more than city prices
for his milk, eggs and butter, and
the cook and chambermaid left at the
end Of the first month.
So that life in the rural districts
was not altogether without trials to
Mrs. Laurence Franklyn, and about
the time that New York houses break
out into harmless eryslpelas of
bills, having the legends, ITO let,
and For SALE" she said to her
husband:
Don't. you think, dear, 1t would
be well enough for us to return to
the ctty?'
yes. / do" said Mr.. Franklyn.
Miss Julia Lesiadi, Mrs. Frank
lyn's pretty Is year old sister, clapped
her hands.
Good! good!" craid she. Nov j
shall have some sort of chance at
morning concerts and the opera
again.
And the house hunting commenced
in good earnest.
But 1t tagged after the first edge
81 enthusiastic enterprise was worn
OF. None of the houses suited ex-
actly.
Mrs. Franklin said that, SO far as
she was concerned, she would just
as soon stay where they were. Mr..
Franklyn retorted that anything was
better than an indolent woman. Mrs
Franklin burst into tears. Mr.. Frank
Ign went out of the room banging
the door behind him. Miss Lesiardi
declared that all men we're brutes,
and that she for one never intended
to be married.
II don't care" sobbed Mrs. Frank
lyn. ut was all Laurence's fault, TAX
ing this horrid, damp hole"
"Oh. Bee, how could you say so?"
said Miss Lesiardi; you were az
wild after it as he was."
And" added Bee, ignoring this in
terruption, .'if we have to live on the
grass under an umbrella shall make
no further efforts"
Mr.. Franklin said tho same thing,
and Miss Lesiardi was Just making
up her mind to another seasonsof fogs,
damp kitchen and fresh eggs at eight
cents apiece, when Bee came exult-
ingly back from the city one evening.
ooh, julia" cried she, I've seen
the sweetest little gem of a house!"
been house hunting. eh?' said
Miss Lesiardi,. who had got tea
ready the 18th "help' had gone off
in huff that morning).
"Well-no, not exactly house-hunt-
ing, you know. wouldn't do that
after Laurencs's shameful behavior!
But saw the bill and went in. The
nsishbors are delightful, the park
handy"
And the rent?" eagerly demanded
Miss Lesiardi, with eyes like blue
moons.
Only eighteen hundred year."
"O!" said Julia. But isn't that a
great deal?"
mot when you consider the price
OF houses in general. I'll go back
tomorrow and secure it; but. mind
dts secret. l don't want Laurence
to know that l have taken any trou-
BILE after his hateful words!"
Mrg. Franklyn had retired to bed
when her husband came home. Miss
Lesiarci, however, was up to pour
his tea.
well. julia" said Mr.. FRANKLIN
triumphantly, 1--WE found the very
house we want"
Julia looked up with almost 9
scared expression In her face.
you haven't taken it, Laurcnce?'
mo; but 1 shall tomorrow"
Il wouldn't do anything without
consulting Bee" pleaded Julia.
Il shall give her pleasant sur
prise" said Mr.. Franklin, buttering
a muffin. Remember, Ju, this is be
tween you and me-"
Darly next morning Mr.. Franklyr
went to New York. Bee followed In
the next train, while Miss Lesiard
breathlessly awaited the crisis.
Mrs. Franklin returned rather earl
ier than her sister had expected her
with bright flushed face.
Well" said Julia breathlessly.
1--WE agreed to pay two thousand
. year for It," said Mrs. Franklyn.
1.-TWO thousand" echoed Miss Les
iardi. 81 thought 1t was only eigh.
teen hundred"
well, so 1t was, but there's anoth.
er party 1t seems, very anxious to
secure the house, and"
%, nonsense!" exclaimed Julia
that's only the professional land
lady's ruse.''
20, but it's true" persisted Bee.
'.for saw his hat on the sideboard
and I caught glimpse of his legs
walking about in the upper story to
zee If the paint was in good order on
the second floor. So said I'd give
her two Thousand"
"And suppose the other party
who, dare say, was the plumber or
gaetttar. Or perhaps the carpenter
come 70 see sbeHt reph!ra-~shpAla OF.
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