Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-09-27
THAT RIGHT OF WAY.
n Somewhat Pathetic Recital OF
an Innocenrs Woes.

Is. Of course you do; every body
knows that II is simply the right to
60 across another mans land. in order
TO reach your own, which may be re-
mote from any highway.
OH you didn't know what fright
OF way" wasl Well, there's nothing
TO bo ashamed OF in that, for the law
yers themselves don't know exactly
what II is; whether it gives the right
20 the shortest way across, to tho orig
inal way, or to any way that tho owner
OF the land chooses to grant. But
there's no need Of our stopping to die
cuss that point.
1t was n charming piece OF ground
that / had selected and bought, on the
outskirts Of the somewhat thriving
village OF NJ. There was n fine
view OF the majestic Hudson on one
side and Of the village on another.
But-there's S always a but-there was,
at the rear OF my lot, a short distance
away, and hidden among a growth OF
neglected evergreens and underbrush,
what failed to notice before purchas-
ing-an old family burying-ground.
l wasn't used TO buying building
lots; that's the amount OF il, and 1t was
fortunate for me, as Mr.. Van Grinder
had said. from whom l bought. that ]
was dealing with man who took an
interest in me-
know he took an interest in me.
for in the first place, he said he did.
Then, too, he brought me 10 this lot
and confdentially told Inc OF two other
men, in whom he took no interest
(possibly, l have since thought, be-
cause they were men OF straw, who
we're both anxious to get il, but he
was trying TO hold on TO IL for me. So,
when | had about decided TO take it,
but wanted iow days TO think II over
in and consult my wife, he counseled
me that IL would be safer-not that
there was any fear Of his backing out,
but it would be safer, in case OF his
death or--or any thing OF that kind
20 pay some amount down, to bind the
bargain. thanked him for the hint
and gave him round sum, cautiously
taking receipt therefor.
He then incidentally led me around
near that old burying-ground, and re.
marked what an inOiTensive affair Il
was, entirely unused and covered with
trees; and he hadn't mentioned il be
fore lest / should get a sudden and un-
reasoning prejudice against so nice c
piece Of property. i confess that
didn't appreciate this last evidence OF
consideration, but thought he had
meant well and / would make the best
OF it.
/ explained TO my wife, and IL took
more explaining than / thought il
would. that dead people we're very
harmless neighbors, especially when
they had been dead thirty or forty
years. and they must have been very
nice people indeed to give their dead
such a fine place Of ground TO rest
in, with a view OF the water and all
that.
She tartly romarked-you know how
women will, the best OF them-that
she didn't know what good view OF
the water was 10 dead people, unless
] meant their spirits. and she hoped
hey weren't the kind that hankored
after view OF water. Dut I've got
used TO such little pleasantries from
Maria, and didn't let this trouble me
much.
A soon as the papers could be drawn
up, raid for my lot and received the
deed, Gfter which thought It would
be nice thing, while the house was
being built to have the title searched.
just as matter Of form, and so that |
could feel positive when / stepped on
its threshold that every thing was alb
solutely my own.
The professional gentlemen whom
employed 10 make the search soon told
me that the property had passed
through a good many hands, and what
was moro interesting still, that some
where through this Old farm that nv
friend Van Grinder had purchased, and
oi which my lot was a part, there WAS
reserved "A fright Of way" TO an old
bQrying-ground
't 81 was somewhat alarmed and has
4ened 10 Mr.. Van Grinder for an ex-
phnation.
''Why. my dear fellow" said he
lapch friendly way he had of saving
sAy dear fellowi"). ''that's Of no con-
fcgucnce whatever The ground is
never used, as you see for yourself; the
family long ago stopped giving Il any
care, and II any OF the heirs are 10 be
found you couldn't hire them 10 be
buried In II. Besides, 20 make itdoubly
secure, I've reserved way 10 the
ground on the other side;'' and he pulled
out his map and showed me, sure
cnough.a right OF way mapped out from
the road 10 the ground bya roundabout
path, and through land not very ayaila-
bic FOR other purposes.
left him. convinced that IL was all
right, but still NOT feeling quite so firm
an my possession as before.
didn't like the cold-blooded Ian.
guage Of that ancient conveyance, ITO
Gether with right OF way 10 and from
The said burying-ground. for the pur-
pose Of burying tkelr dead. 70 them
and their heirs iorever.v "a
l kept my own counsel this time,
There was 20 need Of Marla's knowing
AnY thing about this Nfelehed right