Louisiana capitolian., 1881-08-11
A HARD BARGAIN.

oio is "suIeWd ana wealthy Ol
Yankee landlord away down in Mair
! who is noted tor driving his 'ssharp ba
gains," by which he has amassed
large amount of property. He is th
owner OF large number of dwellin
houses, and it is said of him that he
not over scrnpulous of his rental charp
es whenever he can find customer VIII
. ne knows to be responsible. His obiec
l is always to lease his houses for teri
l OF years to the best tenant, and get til
utmost nickel in the shape of rent.
Adiminntiye Frenchman called on hin
| last winter to hire dwelling he owned
IN Portland, and which hand long remain
ed empty. References were given, ani
the Yankee landlord ascertaining tha,
the tenant was man CATER his owr
heart for tenant, Immediately begar
to Jew" him. He found that the tene.
ment appeared to suit the little French.
man, and he placed an exorbitant price
upon it; but the lease was drawn and
duly executed, and the tenant removed
into his new quarters.
Upon the kindling of the fires in the
house, it was found that the ehimneys
wouldn't "draw," and the building was
filled with smoke. The window sashes
ratified in the wind at night, and the
cold air rushed in though hundred
crevices about the house until now
unnotlced. The snow melted upon the
roof, and the attics were drenched rom
leakage. The rain pelted and our French
man found a natural bathroom upon
the cellar tloor-but the lease was signed
and the landlord chuckled.
II have vat you sal call suck in' Wis
zis dam maisOn," muttered our victim
to himself, week afterward-"but nm
porte-ve sal see vot We sal see.'
Next morning he arose bright and
early and passing down town he enconn-
tered the landlord.
"A-ha. Bon jour, monsieur" zald he
in his happiest manner.A
"Good day, sir. How do you like your
house"
"Ah. monsieur-elegant, beautiful
magnificent. Eh, bien, monsieur, ! have
but re one regret"
"Ah! What is that"
Monsieur, l sal live in zat house but
tree little year"
"How sos"
81 heve find by what you sal call re
lease, zat you have give me re house for |
but tree year, and | yer mooch sorrow
for zat."
"But you can have it longer if you
wish"
'Ah, monsieur, | sal be yer mooch
glad, if have not house SO long as |
monsieur"
"oh, certainly, certainly, sir"
"Ires bien, monsieur. | sal walk rite
to your offices, and you sal give me vat
you call ze lease for zat maison, les so
ong as / sal want ze house. Eth mon
;ieur? ?"
Certainly, sir. You can stay there
Tour lifetime, you like"
"Ah, monsieur, / have yer mooch
anks for zis accommodation.
The old leases were destroyed and a
lew one was delivered in form to the
'rench gentleman, giving him posses
ION OF the premises for "such period as ,
he lessee may desire the same, he pay ,
ng the rent thereof promptly, etc."
The next morning our crafty landlord
'as passing the house just as the French
lan's last load Of furniture was being :,
.arted from the door; and an hour after
ard messenger called on him with a :
legal TENDER" for the rent for eight :.
ays, accompanied with note as fol- :,
WIS.,.
Monsieur, have bin smoke-I have T
n drowned-I have bin frees to death v
re house!vat have hire of you for re :
erlod as may desire. | have stay in .
dam house 'Jes so long as | please" " "
I'd re bearer Of zis will give you ze key. ~ ~
on jour, monsieur" %
1t is needless to add that our Yankee o
ndlord has never been knownlsince to =,
We up "a bird in the hand for one in =.
e bush" VI