CHAPTER X.

AUNT STANSHY'S BOARDER.


Aunt Stanshy had often said she would never have boarders, and she would
"go to the almshouse first," yes, she "would." One day, though, there came
to the house a frank, lively, irrepressible young man of nineteen.

"I am a stranger here," he said, "but my name is Somers, Will Somers, and
I have come here to be a clerk in Tilton's apothecary-store; been in
Boston, you know, with Tompkins & Thomas, Tilton, when he was up the other
day at our store, said that he wanted a clerk and offered me the chance,
which I concluded to accept. I want a boarding-place, marm; but what a
town this is? Do I look like a tramp, and if I don't, what is the matter
that I cant get a boarding-house? Do I look like one?"

Here he looked at Aunt Stanshy, making such an appeal with his frank, blue
eyes, that Aunt Stanshy could not well do otherwise than say, "Why, no!"

"Then wont you take me?"

"O--I--I--said I never would take boarders,--and--and--I am
unprepared,--and--and--"

"O this room will do first-rate. I shouldn't want one any better, really.
I know"--here he gave a very approving glance about the room. "Now come,
do! It would please mother very much."