The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-16
A Sharp Bargain.

THERE is shrewd and wealthy land
/ lord in Maine, who is noted for driv-
ing his ''sharp bargains" by which he
has amassed large amount OF proper
ty. He is the owner of large number
of dwelling houses and it is said of him
that he is not over scrupulous of his
rental charges, whenever he can find
customer whom he knows to be respon-
sible. His object is always to lease his
house for term of years to the best ten
ants and get the utmost farthing in the
shape of rent.
A dminutive Frenchman called on
him to hire dwelling he owned in
Portland, and which had long remained
empty. References were given, and
the Yankee landlord ascertaining that
the tenant was a man ''after his own
heart' for tenant, Immediately COM
menced to beat him down. He found
that the tenement appeared to suit the
little Frenchman, and he placed an ex-
orbitant price upon it,; but the lease
was drawn and duly executed, and the
tenant removed to his new quarters.
Upon the kindling of fires in the
house, it was found that the chimneys
wouldn't ''draw," and the building was
filled with smoke. The window-sashes
ratified in the wind at highland the cold
air rushed in through hundred crevices
about the house, until now unnoticed.-
The snow melted upon the roof, and the
attics were drenched from the leakage
The rain pelted, and our Frenchman
found "natural" bathroom upon the
cellar fioor-but the lease was signed and
the landlord chuckled.
g have been vat you sal call suck in
Wis zis maison,'' muttered our victim to
himself week afterward; "but n'im-
porte-ve sal see vat We sal see."
Next morning he arose bright and
early, and passing down town he en-
countered the landlord.
"Aha! Bon jour, monsieur" said he,
in his happiest manner.
Good day, sir. How do you like
your house ?"
"Ah, monsieur, elegant-beautiful-
magnificent. Eh beiu, monsieur, have
but re one regret"
"Ah what is that 2"
Monsieur, sal live in zat hou sc but
three little year"
How so?"
s. have find by vat you sal call re
lease zat you have give me re house but
for three year, and yer mooch sorry for
zat.''
"But you can have it longer il you
wish
"Ah, monsieur, sal be yer mooch
glad if can have zat house so long as
please-eh, monsieur 2"
"Oh, certainly, certainly, sir
Tres bien, monsieur. / sal walk
rite to your Offices, and you sal give me
vat you sal call re leased for Eat maison
just so long as sal want re house. Eli,
monsieur"
Z" Certainly, sir. You can stay there
your lifetime If you like"
"Ah, monsieur, have yer mooch
tanks for zis accommodation"
The old lease was destroyed and a new
one was delivered in due form to the
French gentleman, giving him posses
sion of the premises for - such period as
the lessee may desire to name, he paying
the rent thereof prom pity" etc.
The next morning rur landlord was
passing the house just as the French
mans last load of furniture was being
started from the door; and an hour af-
terward messenger called upon him
with a illegal tender" for the rent for
eight days, accompanied with note as
follows
Monsieur, L have bin shmoke, 1 have
H.. lrnrvnad have hin frees fO death
in re house vat av hire of you for re
period as may desire. hav stay in ze
house sizes so long as 1 please and ze
bearer of zis will give you ze key. Bon
jour, monsieur"
1t is needless to add that our Yankee
landlord has never since been known to
give up "a bird in the hand for one in
the bush"