Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-09-08
A NEW WAY TO NULLIFY A BAD
LEASE

There is shrewd and wealthy old Yam
Kee landlord away down in Maine, who is
noted for his 8 sharp bargains by which
he has amassed large amount of property.
lleis the owner of great number of dwell
ING houses, and it is said of him that he is
not over scrnpulous in his rental charges,
when he can find a customer whom he
knows to be responsible. His object is al
ways to lease his houses for a term of years
10 the best tenants, and get the utmost far
thing in the shape of rent.
A diminutive Frenchman called on him,
last winter, TO hire dwelling he owned in
Portland, and which had long remained
empty. References were given, and the
Yankee landlord ascertaining that his appli-
cant was man latter his own heart " for
a tenant, Immediately commenced to Jew"
him. He found that the tenement appeared
to suit the little Frenchman, and he placed
an exorbiant price upon it; but the lease
was drawn and duly executed, and the ten
ant moved into his new quarters.
Upon the kindling the fires in the house,
it was found that the chmnevs woud'n
" draw" and the building was filled with
smoke. The window sashes ratified in the
wind at night, and the cold air rushed thro'
Il hundred crevices about the house, until
now unnoticed. The snow melted upon the
roof and the attics were drenched from
leaking. The rain pelted, and our French
man found natural bath room upon
the cellar foor--but the lease was signed
and the landlord chucklcd.
i hav ben vat you sal cal suck in Wis
zis dam m0is0n '--muttered our victim to
himself week a!terward; but n'importe,
We sal see, yot We al see ~
Next morning he rose bright and early,
and passing dow n town, he encountered the
landlord.
Aha Bon jour, alOnsieur," said he,
in his happiest manner.
Good day, sir. How do you like your
house -
All! Monsicur-elcgant, beamJM-
magnificent! Eth, Jicn, monsieur; | hav
re one regret"
"Ah! What is that"
Monsieur sal live in Eat house but
tree little year."
GLOW so ?"
81 hay find, by vot You sal call re lease,
Eat you give me re house for but tree year,
an have ver' mooch sorrow for zat''
But You can have it longer, if you wish"
"Ah, Monseur-I sal be YER mooch glad
i'll can have Eat house Soimog as IpIeaSe-
ell, Monsieur?'
"Oh, certainly-certainly, sir"
Tres bien, monsieur! sal walk rite
to your ofiices-on' You sal give me votyou
call re lease for Eat naaison Jest so long as
I sal rent &c house. Ell, Monsieurl''
Certainly, sir. You shall STAY there
your life time, if YOU like
"Ah, NJ onsieur-I hav' YER mooch tanks
for Zis accommodashong."
The old leases were destroyed and new
one was delivered in form to the French
gentleman, giving him possession of the pre-
misses for $ such period as the lessee may
desire the same, he paying the rent therefor
promptly" &c. &c.
The next morning, our crafty landlord
was passing the house just as the French
mans last load of furniture was being start
ed from the door; and an hour afterwards,
messenger called on him with legal ten
der" for the rent for eight days. accompan-
led with note, as follows:
" MONSIEUR,
g hav' bin smoke hav' bin drowned
i hay' bin frees to death, in re house vot
| hay' hire of you, for re period as may
desire hav' stay in re dam house 'jes
so long as Fpiea8e,' an re bearer of lis vii
give you re key Bon jour, monsieur"