Maryland free press., 1866-05-10
~AUNT wINNIE'S HOUSE.

Some twenty years ago, there lived, in one OF
the towns of the South, wealthy old man, who
we shall call Major r.. He had served IN
the war of 1872, and had gained his title, it was
said by unfairly bringing the major Of his regi-
ment into trouble, and causing him to he removed
from his post. Be this as it may, it is certain
that Major k had exhibited similar char
acteristics ever since he had lived in town. He
had, by close and steady APPLICATION to business,
amassed considerable fortune, and it was said
that he had made several large additions to it by
transactions which would not bear too close an
inspection. He. had.gained very few friends, and
many enemies, To the poor.he was terror, iand
no one dreaded anything more than the prospect
of becoming the majors tenant. And OF TINS
there was decided danger; for Major k
seemed possessed with mania for buying up real
estate. lie already owned large proportion OF
the town, and had avowed his determination not
to rest satisfied until he was mnstsr OF the place.
The town was not large, and the property was
cheap; and as the majors fortune increased every
year. it seemed likely that he would succeed in
his undertaking.. '... ........
The major was well aware of the fact that he
was hated by the people of the town, and it was
this knowledge that made him increase his efforts.
He chuckled with delight as he saw his power
over the people growing stronger every day. He
was a hard landlord, and his tenants received
but little mercy at his hands.
"Pn make them cringe to me yet, he would
say to himself bitterly. "They shall pay, and
nav heavily for this.n .. ..
So matters went ON, growing better for Major
K, and worse for the people. Some OF
them left the place, rather than submit to the
majors tyranny, and others thought seriously
of following their example. ,..... .....
"Let them CO." said the old man when he
heard of their departures. II can bring others
here to fill their places" . ttV" .. "
At last, however, the major met his match, and
received sudden and effectual check. ... ..,e.'
Lying just on the edge of the town was field
of one acre. upon which Major k had fire.
qucntly cast longing gances. 1t was not very
valuable piece of property; but, as it adjoined q
couple of cottages which he had built he was
anxious to become the owner of it. 1t was the
property of widow usually known as "Aunt
| Winnie" but whose proper name was Winifred
Wood The land had belonged to her husband,
and the old woman had refused several really
good offers from persons who wished to purchase
| it. She managed with dcfficulty to save enough
of her earnings TO pay the taxes, and TINS retain
the possession of it.
Major K had long desired to get posses
sion of this field He intended to erect upon it
should it ever come into his possession, of the
handsomest cottages in the place. He had Offered
to buy it at a ridiculously low price, but Aun
Winnie had refused to part with it. The major
however, was not to be beaten in this way. A
year after the refusal of his offer, he decided upof
plan which he thought would be successful. III
determined to take possession of the ground
erect his contemplated house upon it, and enclos'
the entire acre as a yard and garden.
HAunt Winnie" thought he, 'is poor ig
1 norant creature; and when she sees my hous
there, can easily persuade her that have nc
auired q right to the land, and she will then q
once comply with my proposition for a compro
mise.' "
Having decided upon this plan, Major x
employed double force of workmen in orde
that his house. might go up without delay. Th
work was begun promptly, and carried on will
energy. The major had not ventured TO appl.
to any Of the workmen of the town, for he knew
that none of them would aid him in such an ini
quitous undertaking; so he brought gang o
bands up from the city, composed of men whit
\ were total strangers to the place and people.
Great was the astonishment and indignation
of the inhabitants when the majors conduct be
came known to them. They could scared.
believe, that, with all his rascality, he would b
guilty of an act Of such bold and deliberate vii
lainy. OF course Aunt Winnie bad had numer
ous visitors who assured her of their sympathy
and offered to assist her in her difficulties, T.
all of them she would reply sadly