She began her new business with two boarders, a gentleman and his wife by
the name of Grimes, who had entered her house on the recommendation of a
friend. They were to pay her the sum of eight dollars a week. A young man
named Barling, clerk in a wholesale Market Street house, came next; and he
introduced, soon after, a friend of his, a clerk in the same store, named
Mason. They were room-mates, and paid three dollars and a half each. Three
or four weeks elapsed before any further additions were made; then an
advertisement brought several applications. One was from a gentleman who
wanted two rooms for himself and wife, a nurse and four children. He wanted
the second story front and back chambers, furnished, and was not willing to
pay over sixteen dollars, although his oldest child was twelve and his
youngest four years of age--seven good eaters and two of the best rooms in
the house for sixteen dollars!

Mrs. Darlington demurred. The man said--

"Very well, ma'am," in a tone of indifference. "I can find plenty of
accommodations quite as good as yours for the price I offer. It's all I pay
now."

Poor Mrs. Darlington sighed. She had but fifteen dollars yet in the
house--that is, boarders who paid this amount weekly--and the rent alone
amounted to twelve dollars. Sixteen dollars, she argued with herself, as
she sat with her eyes upon the floor, would make a great difference in her
income; would, in fact, meet all the expenses of the house. Two good rooms
would still remain, and all that she received for these would be so much
clear profit. Such was the hurried conclusion of Mrs. Darlington's mind.

"I suppose I will have to take you," said she, lifting her eyes to the