Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-09-13
TO LET-.KIPPLE GRANGE.

Mr.. Pixley was real estate agent
Mr.. PiXley had had a gOOdIy number of
houses on his list in his time, but never
one SO persistently, unalterably, per-
severingly on his list as Ripple Grange.
Year after year it has figured on his
books desirable country residence,
to be had on reasonable TERMS" year af-
ter year it still hung hopelessly on his
hands.
Nor was Mr.. Pixley the only real es-
tate agent who had wrestled, SO to speak,
with Ripple Grange. Other land brok-
ers and rent collectors had their ''try"
at it. with equally unsatisfactory results
1t had i1ec- advertised in newspapers
and pasted up Oh bulletin boards, and
still it remained "Kipple Grange-To
Let"
"Hang the old place !" said Mr.. Pix
ley, vehemently scratching his bald
head. II wish 1t would burn down, or
blow away, or something! It's dis
grace to business man to keep such an
eye sore on his list. I've great mind
to put old Miss Briggs into it, to keep it
in order until I can get better tenant.
She wants place cheap. I'll let her
have Ripple Grange for nothing"
So when Mise Briggs came tiptoeing
into the real estate Of1ce-a faded, mel
ancholy little old maid, and wearing a
green veil to neutralize the spring winds
Mr.. Pixley told her that Ripple
Grange should be hers, for the present,
at least.
"You'll probably find it lonely" said
he.
II dote on the country" said Miss
Briggs.
"And very much out of repair" he
added.
"I don't doubt but that it will do for
me-" said the little old spinster, her
faded ewes Frightening.
"Probably, also, there's a ghost about
the premises" jocosely uttered the
agent.
Miss Briggs shook her head with sad
smile. "It's live people I am afraid of. y
said she, met dead ones"
"Well," said Mr.. Pixley, "Kipple
Grange shall be yours this quarter, if you
will fix up the garden little and give
the place Hvedin sort of look. OF
course it will be for sale, and shall ex-
pect you to do your best for our inter-
ests."
And Miss Briggs courtesied, and said,
Eyes, she would, !" and withdrew, great
~ elated in spirit.
Upon the same day, the 25th Of April,
Mr.. Beggerall, the real estate agent of
Dorchester, let Ripple Grange to old
Mr.. Hyde, who was q naturalist, and q
botanist, and an entemologist, to say
nothing of half . dozen other lists, and
who wanted q quiet country home, with
woods and meadows In its vicinity,
wherein to prosecute his beloved sci
ences. And Macpherson & Co., of Long
Island, made q bargain with the Reve-
rend Mr.. Bellairs, an invalid clergyman,
who was in search of country air and
complete repose.
And strangely enough, 1t occurred to
meme OF the three real estate agents to
let the other two know of his action.
"There Is never any demand for Kip.
pie Grange" said Macpherson & Co.,
indifferently.
'sI'll write to Pixley and old Mac.
when I get time" said Beggerall.
There's no hurry about Ripple
Grange" thought Pixley. ."If Miss
Briggs keeps it from tumbling to pieces
she will do very WE'LL"
Meanwhile Mrs. Ripple herself, the
plump widow whose grandfather on the
husbands side had bequeathed her this
impracticable piece of property, began
to think of running down to look at il
herself. "They tell me there's no such
thing as letting IT," said she. "I've I
mind to go down and see for myself
One really pines for the country, now
that they are selling lilac blossoms and
pansies in the" streets and I'm quit,
sure that change of air would do m,
good. I'll take Dorcas, my maid, and ,
few cans of peaches and sardines, anl
we'll picnic at Ripple Grange, Just 70,
the fun of the thing.n
ut never rains but what il pours, ;
saith the ancient proverb; 80 upon thi
windy, blooming April day, when tn
sunny meadow slopes where purpled Il
over with Wild violets, and the yellow
narcissus was shaking Its golden tassel
over the neglected borders Of Kippl