Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-06-09
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
THE FIRST BOARDER
BY Temple Galley.

IL was so different from the usual
summer boarding place that Denton
stopped short and eyed doubtfully the
wide lawn. the massive stone house
and the garden flaming with June
roses
He even looked at the great masun
who sauntered toward him with a sus-
picious eve
Look here. old fellow" ne said.
ARE you I'm a fairy tale, or Is this just
an every day fact?"
Duke. come here" called a clear
voice, and the dog bounded back TO
the porch.
Denton followed him.
Are you the princessT' he asked
OF the owner Of the clear voice.
Il don't understand" she STAN
mered
Denton laughed. Il beg pardon. p"
he apolCgi1ed for boring YOU with
my fancies. But this place is SO beau
tiful thar / thought / had stepped out
OF real Ike into fairyland. and that
the dog WAS the monster that guarded
the gate. and that you were the en-
chanttd princess"
The g.rl eyes twinkled I'm not
a princess" she told him, I'm your
landlady"
Something of disappointment crept
into Denton's expression.
Then YOU are Mrs. Carter?" be
hazarded
Miss Carter" she corrected. and he
looked relieved. In the letter tuat d
wrote You 1 signed myself Mehitable
Carter. and J suppose YOU thought
had gray hairs and wrinkles"
The name did suggest them" he
unused. watching her sparkling face.
YOUNG HERE ...... ............
Every one around here calls mo
Belle, Size explained. but OF course
when one writes letters 20 prospective
boarders one realizes that a digniled
name is a- asset"
Certainly he agreed. and settled
back in his chair. content TO listen and
look.
but his hostess was more energetic.
III show you your room" she said.
When Denton came down a little
late, and found his landlady walking
in the rose garden. he said to her:
You needn't tell me. This is an en-
chanted castle. Who ever heard OF
white bathwhite bath tubs and nickel
trimmings and pond lily friezes and
Circassian walnut furniture for $40 a
week"
little anxious frown furrowed
Miss Carriers forehead. Il was afraid
1 was charging too much" she said
You see you are my first boarder."
IL appeared on further conversation
that there were to be six other board
ers, and they were 70 arrive at 1880
Five OF them are maiden ladies. "
Miss Carter explained" and ! told
they might bring their cats and par
rots-"
And the other one?" Denton de-
manded.
is man." said Miss Carter. and
he wants TO bring his automobile"
Denton gazed pensively across the
garden toward the purple hills
Alas" he sighed. and I brought only
a typewriter. The automobile Is the
dragon that must slay."
i don't think / quite understand
she said.
"of course not" Denton agreed quite
cheerfully. "as a writer OF stories
zeal much in metaphor. 1t isn't TO be
expected that you would understand
But you will-sOme day"
We raise sill OF our vegetables" ahe
conhded. and we have our cows am
make butter-and there are plenty ~
chickens and eggs"
Don't say any more" Denton beg
ged. Il am hungry enough as n 4,
without hearing Of real milk and but
ter and eggs"
Contrary TO Denton's expectations
the six old maids proved TO be deligbt
full company. Three OF them wer,
teachers, one OF them wrote for mara
zines, one, having a private forum q
was something OF a globe-trotter. anC
the sixth. being domestically inclined
had brought the cat and parrot.
The one man was the object OF Dem.
tons special observation. His name