The House

use we had secured a genuine bargain. But, as I have already indicated, Mr. Denslow w

ticularly my "Essay to Prove the Probability of the Existence of an Atmosphere on the Other Side of the Moon") will testify; but, having had little to do with the

erence in our natures and our pursuits that has attracted Mr. Denslow and me to each other; at any rate our friendship has been profitable to both. Mr. Denslow's counsel upon several important occasions has been of vast value to me, and I flatter myself that upon one occasion at least I served Mr. Denslow to excellent purpose. This was two years ago

erm, our New England people call faculty. So it was natural that after having drunk deep (so to speak) at the

er and get her to sign an agreement to part with the property upon the terms specified. In order to bind the agreement we should pay her a small sum of mo

"Wouldn't it seem rather burglarious to ma

s it may appear) of planking down one hundred dollars is one whi

d delay is too often disastrous. As for the one hundred dollars, I will lend yo

le gentleman. Never before had I felt more

it would be better for you not to go with us to see Mrs. Schmittheimer. The presence o

no rights of our own to be either lost or jeoparded. So while Mr. Denslow and Alice went upon their business mission I remained with Mrs. Denslow and her interesting children and elucidated my theory of the ice-caps of the planet Mars. In less than an ho

ime-perhaps a week or ten days-to investigate the title; when this detail is satisfactorily

into which that front lawn and that old rookery (as Adah called it) were to be transformed, I had suffered all thought of the essential and inevitable first payment of one thousand dollars to slip qu

lice knew as well as I did that my salary was sufficient only to cover the current expenses of th

Leo and Its Satelli

Caps" . . . . . .

h of the Bottl

Spectroscope" . .

Nursery" . . . . .

logue of Binary St

-

al

id not exceed seventy dollars last year. She knew all these things, and I told her so, and then I asked her where or how she fancied we were going to raise

uring his visit to us last summer that we ought to have a home, and

s drowning will catch at a straw. A man who has bought a house with nothing to pay for it is

terest in my work and my welfare. He had no children of his own, and, if he did not regard me almost as a son, I certainly grew to regard him almost as a father. Mr. Black knew the value of money and respected it. He gave freely, but only where he was assured it was deserved and would do actual good. A prudent, careful

e above all others it is prolixity), I went to Cincinnati and unfolded my business to my aged friend. Mr. Black appeared to be in no indecent haste to satiate my craving. He is not, and never was, a man of exuberant enthusiasms. I was rather pained when, upon learning of the unparalleled bargain we had secured in the Schmittheimer place, he did not go into raptures as did Mrs. Denslow, and Mrs. Baylor, and Mrs. T

particular spot. What knew I of tracts, of townships, of quarter sections or of subdivisions? Were I filled with a knowledge of these humdrum commonplaces, should I know aught of that enthusiasm which thrills the being who, after many and long years of weary hoping an

prospect and the promise of "our house" did not set Mr. Black-and, for that matter, all the rest of humanity-into the selfsame transports of delight which I experienced. Mind you, now, I am not complaining of nor am I finding fault with Mr. Black. I am simply

or telescope selling views of the moon at five cents apiece. The night was so auspicious for this diversion that I could not resist the temptation. Thus seduced, the time sped so quickly and the intoxication of the e