Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-01-28
House
To Let
1t Changed the Life Of Clubman.
A Spinster Was Also In
terested In 1t
By r. A. mitchell
Copyright by american Press Aseo-


go with a friend who lived In the
suburbs for dinner and the night The
difference between house with wo
man In 1t, to say nothing of several
impish children, and his own solitary
apartments was appalling. In his own
bedroom he would awaken In the
morning amid tomblike silence. In
this abode OF family he lay awake
for nearly an hour listening to unceas.
Ing sounds that seemed like music to
him.
There were constant opening and
shutting of doors. water pouring in
a bathroom, children running. children
shouting, children scolded, children
petted; now few deep tones from a
father warning Johnny that If he
didn't stop fooling and dress himself
he would get spanking and now G
feminine call to Edle to come and
let me do your hair" 1t was the con-
trast of this life about him-this union
of hearts and interests with his silent
chamber that made him yearn fol-
the one and hate the other.
Jenkins returned to the city, spent
the day In his Office, went to his room
-heaving a sigh as he entered it
dressed for the evening and started for
his club Shortly before reaching it
he passed a neat looking two story
stone front dwelling in window of
which was placard ITO Let" He
stood leaning on his cane looking at
the house; then went on muttering:
Its no use. I've no wife,
He went on to his club. sat down In
the reading room and listlessIy took up
a paper. But he did not read He
was going over the women of his ac-
quaintance In vain effort to pick out
one he could love. one with whom he
could make home. This, too, was a
failure. They all seemed to him like
30 many wax figures in show win
dow. No responsive chord to draw
him to any of them or them to him.
The next morning passing the house
to let he thought that. after all, it
would be better than his rooms and he
would go in and look at 1t. At the
moment feminine voice said to him:
There doesn't appear to be any word
on the notice where to apply"
Jenkins turned and saw a young wo-
man whose appearance was as refined
as her voice. Her attention was all d.
rected to the house. and Jenkins be-
heved that she had made the observa-
ton to herself rather than to him.
Nevertheless he raised his hat and
said
Perhaps. there being no such direc-
lions. it means that one may inquire
within"
ut doesn't matter" said the lady,
still making her replies more to herself
than him.
The words were spoken in the same
tone with which the day before he had
said to himself: ''It's no use. I've no
wife"
"Ill ring IL you like" said Jenkins.
"Oh, thank you. Never mind on my
account"
"rm intending to make inquiries for
myself, though have no definite idea
Of taking house. don't need one"
Nor l."
He went up on to the stoop and rang
the bell. His summons was answered
by a middle aged person who lived in
the basement, evidently caretaker
The lady waited for Jenkins to act as
but he hesitated. He did |
not know whether to say this lady |
wishes to, look at the house" or 81
wish to look at the house." The first |
would be assuming what he had not |
been authorized to assume; the second |
would look as If he proposed to stand
IN the lady's way. He compromised.
I'VE would like to look at the house,
ne said.
"Oh. Walk inp'
There are eight rooms" said the
leading the way through the
apartments. "On this floor parlor,
lining room, library and kitchen"
Then. leading them upstairs: -Four
bedrooms up here. This front room
will make a beautiful room for you
md your wife, sir. and this little room
adjoining is just big enough for the
II you have them. There's
mother small room back that would
make a good nursery and a guests
'oom. The bathroom is at the end of
he hall"
III the poor woman mad been cog |
lizant of the terrible blunder she was
making she would have been deeply
,ained. And yet she would have had
10 cause to be panied. Though Jen-
Tins put on wooden expression. there
vas very pleasant feeling about his
leart Though the lady blushed
osy red, there was suspicion Of a
mile playing on her lips.
"How many children have you,
asked the woman. suddenly
'reaking in upon her description of
he house.
"No children" replied the lady. ig-
'oring the woman's inference that the
wo were married
"No children! Oh, dearl Somehow
t doesn't seem to me that people are
married. till the little tots come. With
ut them parents are liable to run to
ars and dogs, a poor makeshift for
hildren. Dear little souls! How nice