the following notice under the
heading of "To rent:"

"TO RENT,

"Unfurnished rooms in the one-story tenement buildings on
---- street. For particulars, apply to the undersigned at
his office on Main street, near the State House.

JAMIE ELDER."

After reading it she folded the paper, and remained musing for several
minutes, when rising up she went to her children, and, kissing them,
told them she was going out for a few minutes, and to play like good
children until her return. She then left the hotel, and, after some
little trouble, at last found out the office of Mr. Elder, which she
entered.

"Is Mr. Elder in?" she inquired of a clerk.

"Yes, madam," he replied.

"Can I see him?" she asked.

He gave her no answer, but going to an adjoining door, half opened it,
and announced, in a loud voice, that a lady desired to see Mr. Elder.

"Admit her," was the reply of that gentleman.

Mrs. Wentworth passed the desk, and, entering the room from whence the
voice proceeded, found herself in the presence of Mr. Elder, who was
seated in an arm chair reading a newspaper.

"Be seated, madam," he said, rising and handing her a chair. "What can
I have the honor of doing for you this morning?"

"This is your advertisement, I believe," she replied, handing him the
newspaper.

"Yes, madam," he answered, looking at her through his spectacles.

"Well, sir, it is my desire to rent one of the rooms."

"You, madam!" he replied, evidently surprised at her question.

"Yes, sir," she replied; "I am a refugee from New Orleans, having been
driven from there by General Butler. My husband is now a prisoner of
war in the hands of the enemy, and my means being limited, I am
compelled to live economically."

"Ahem, ahem," said Mr. Elder, clearing his throat; "indeed, madam, I
sympathise with you. This war has cast many people homeless and in
need throughout the country. I sympathize with you, _indeed_ I do,"
and he looked on her in the most benevolent manner possible.

"Well, sir, what is the price charged for the rent of one of your
rooms?" asked Mrs. Wentworth after a few moments' silence.

"Well, ah--well, ah--you see, my dear madam, the price of everything
has gone up immensely," he replied.

"And what do you charge for the room?" she asked.

"Well, ah, I think sixteen dollars per month as cheap as I could
possible rent it," he answered finally.

"I w