Year: 1864

young man at any rate, was my mental
observation. But if you are blessed with
money you may do, provided you find us
pious usffciently, and are not in the min
strel business


You advertise for boarder see, he
commenced.
Yes, sir


Well, think perhaps we can make a
| trade


A trade! Is the man horse iockv 2


Il am widower. sir, and know how to
appreciate pleasant home Yes, sir,
and pay for it


Excellent, so far


ask nothing but to be let alone


quotation from JEFF Davis.


And L stay at home nights; pay in
advance; price is immaterial; don smoke
in my room or out of it; and particularly,
| don't bother myself about other people
business


In short, seemed to have found the
model at last He went into his bed cham
Der andsaid ne liked it. lie went into the
dining room, where he bowed courteous
ly to Mrs, Dobbs, and patted the juvenile
Dobbs on the head and, glancing at the
table, remarked, in a real good-natured
way, that he saw we lived we'll He asked
III IuSCI u ctIC NOulu sew on IL DulIOnI OF
him occasionally, if he paid her for it.
He said he was satisfied he should find
this pleasant home, and for his part he
should do his share in trying to make it
so. He mentioned that the golden rule
was his guide on all occasions


Before he went away he passed through
the parlor-'a very pleasant place, our
boarder graciously styled it, and added
that there was nothing like a few choice
paintings and statuettes to set of a room


Just then his eye fell upon a bust upon
bracket on the wall Whose bust Il was
| viii not specify further than to say that
it was that of a loyal and honest public
functionary whom | much admire He
turned upon me quickly


What's your idea, though, in sticking
up bust of Blank in your parlor2 1t
can't be for ornament God never made
homelier man..


Nor better said T.


Are you a Blauket2'


Yes, sir, | am. Are you?'


No, sir, I'm not And, what is more,
| cannot bear the sight of that man He
is fool sir-a blockhead-a disgrace to
the country.


| snuffed battle; but cannot say
had a wish to abandon my colors Ia
fact, we had quite a lively little time. for
few minutes. | expressed my views, and
he expressed his; and there was wrath.


bid you good day, sir said the mod
ell; we could never inhabit the same
house together | shall look for another
boarding place.


AS you please, SIR replied with some
warmth


And the model departed


Cold chunks for dinner again and the
degree of heat | brought to the meal was
no improvement in a culinary point of
view.


'Confound your boarders, Mrs Dobbs 7
| said I've had quite enough of them


The next day, when the door-bell rang
at the inevitable moment, l told my wife
that she might inform the fellow at the
door that we had concluded to take no
boarder. | was actually getting dyspep-
tic with these cold dinuers.


But the fellow at the door proved to be
lady, and Mrs. Dobbs had the delightful
task Of waiting on her. / ate my dinner
with unwonted gusto, and listened in a
aim frame Of mind to the conversation
that took place in the next room.
/ thought | would come and see you
as ! am desirous ofsecuring quiet board
ing place. came to my ears in a sweet,
feminine voice.


Il did not wish lady boarder, said my
wife


How unfortunate!
They are so much more difficult to
please than gentlemen, usually
L am so sorry | like the appearance
of the neighborhood so much and if you
will pardon me, l like your looks 10 well,
too, now have met you. am sure | should
love you
An awkward pause.


Have you any children 2 the sweet
voice went on.
We have four, said my wife
Il do love children so muchl | have
one-iu heaven.
All, thought |, that's a telling blowl
You are a widow lady, then :? said
Mrs. Dobbs-
yes, ma am | have been alone for
three years. Oh, if you knew what it was
to be without..a pleasant home, you would
pity me | am sick to death of boarding
houses Ny feelings are all domestic
but in b0arding-houses there is no domes-
tic circle.


Perhaps-ah-I don't know. stammer-
ed my wife; would you like to see the
room2'


'Oh, may |? You are too kind


Then they went up stairs.


\ fascinating young widow, EN- ? Here
was an enemy to my wife resolutions in
deed


They were up stairs q long time, I
thought But at last they came down,
and [ heard the lady 90 out. | left the
table and ran to look out of the window,
napkin in hand There were the weeds
inclosing dainty little figure. and the
widow turned her face and looked up at
the house.


recognised the face Ohe jam salts
Have YOU engaged the lady ? | in
quired as I returned to the table.
L have, Mr. Dobbs, said my wife


You like her, then?


Yes, she is perfect lady.
You really think SO then


Il think so | know it You men are
always boasting about your ability at read
ing character, and perhaps in general
YOU may be our superiors that way; but
let me tell you that when | have once
been favorably impressed with a person
am never disappointed in my judgement.


Thank you.


i don't refer to you, my dear. You are
an execution