Louisiana capitolian., 1881-08-13
salett Wlistellanp.
A HARD BARGAIN.

There is q shfewd and wealthy old
Yankee landlord away down in Maine
who is noted for driving his "sharp bar
gains" by which he has amassed
large amount Of property. He is the
owner OF q large number of dwelling
houses, and it is said of him that he is
not over scrupulous Of his rental charg.
es whenever he eau find customer who
he knows to be responsible His object
il always to lease his houses for term
of years to the best tenant, and get the
utmost nickel In the shape of rent.
A diminutive FreDchman called on him
last winter to hire dwelling be owned
in Portland, and which hand long remain
ed empty. References were given, and
the Yankee landlord asCertainlng that
The tenant was a man latter his own
heart for tenant, immediately began
to "jew" him. He found that the tene-
ment appeared to suit the little French
man, and he placed all exorbitant price
upon it but the lease was drawn and
duly executed and the tenant removed
into his new quarters.
Upon the kindling of tho fires in the
house, it was found that the chimneys
wouldn't draw" and the building was
filed with smoke. The window sashes
ratified in the wind at night, and the
cold air rushed in though q hundred
crevices about the house until now
unnoticed. The snow melted upon the
roof, and the attcs were drenched from
leakage. The rain pelted and our French
man found natural bathroom upon
the cellar tioor-but the lease was signed
and the landlord chuckled.
~ have vat you sal call suck in Wis
zis dam maison," muttered onr 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" 2ald he
in his happiest manner.
"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 thatw
"Monsieur, | sal live in 3at house but
tree little year"
GLOW soY"
81 have find by what you sal call ze
lease, Eat you have give me re house for
but tree year, and yer mooch sorrow
for zat'
"But you can have it longer if yon
wish
"Ah, monsieur, sal be yer mooCh
glad, if have not house so long as
please-oh, monsieur"
ooh, certainly, certainly, SIR
"Tres bien, monsieur ! sal walk rite
to your offices, and you sal give me vat
you call re lease for zat maison, jes so
long as sal want re house, Eh mon
sieur?'
"Certainly, sir. You can stay there
your lifetime, if you like"
"Ab, monsieur, | have yer mOoch
tanks for zis accommodation"
The old leases were destroyed and a
new one was delivered in form to the
French gentleman, giving him posses
sion of the premises for "such period as
the lessee may desire the same, he pay.
ing the rent thereof promptly, etc"
The next morning our crafty landlord
was passing the house just as the French
mans last load of furniture was being
started from the door, and an hour after,
ward messenger called on him with a
'1egal tender" for the rent for eight
days, accompanied with note as fol-
lows:
Monsieur, have bin smoke--I have
bin Geowned-I have bin frees to deatl
in re house vat have hire of you for 2,
period as may desire. ! have stay IL
re dam house 'jes so long as please,
and re bearer Of zis will give YOU re key
Bon jour, monsieur"
1t is needless to add that our Yankee
landlord has never been knownsince t.
give up "a bird in the hand for one il
the bushO
A WOMAN's HEROISM.