All this was said very pleasantly, but the pill was none the less bitter.

“It seems to me, Mr. Colman,” remarked the cooper soberly, “you have chosen rather a singular time for raising the rent.”

“Why singular, my good sir?” inquired the landlord, urbanely.

“You know of course, that this is a time of general business depression; my own trade in particular has suffered greatly.  For a month past, I have not been able to find any work.”

Colman’s face lost something of its graciousness.

“And I fear I sha’n’t be able to pay my quarter’s rent to-morrow.”

“Indeed!” said the landlord coldly.  “Perhaps you can make it up within two or three dollars?”

“I can’t pay a dollar towards it,” said the cooper.  “It’s the first time, in five years that I’ve lived here, that this thing has happened to me.  I’ve always been prompt before.”

“You should have economized as you found times growing harder,” said Colman, harshly.  “It is hardly honest to live in a house when you know you can’t pay the rent.”

“You sha’n’t lose it Mr. Colman,” said the cooper, earnestly.  “No one ever yet lost anything by me.  Only give me time, and I will pay you all.”

The landlord shook his head.

“You ought to cut your coat according to your cloth,” he responded.  “Much as it will go against my feelings, under the circumstances I am compelled by a prudent regard to my own interests to warn you that, in case your rent is not ready to-morrow, I shall be obliged to trouble you to find another tenement; and furthermore, the rent of this will be raised five dollars a quarter.”

“I can’t pay it, Mr. Colman,” said the cooper; “I may as well say that now; and it’s no use my agreeing to pay more rent.  I pay all I can afford now.”

“Very well, you know the alternative.  But it is a disagreeable subject.  We won’t talk of it now; I shall be round to-morrow morning.  How’s your excellent sister; as cheerful as ever?”

“Quite as much so as usual,” answered the cooper, dryly.

“But there’s one favor I should like to ask, if you will allow us to remain here a few days till I can look about me a little.”

“I would with the greatest pleasure in the world,” was the reply, “but there’s another family very anxious to take the house, and they wish to come in immediately.  Therefore I shall be obliged to ask you to move out to-morrow.  In fact that is the very thing I came here this evening to speak about, as I thought you might not wish to pay the increased rent.”

“We are much obliged to you,” said the cooper, with a tinge of bitterness unusual to him.  “If we are to be turned out of doors, it is pleasant to have a few hours’ notice of it.”

“Turned out of doors, my good friend!  What disagreeable expressions you employ!  It is merely a matter of business.  I have an article to dispose of.  There are two bidders; yourself and another person.  The latter is willing to pay a larger sum.  Of course I give him the preference.  Don’t you see how it is?”