The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-11
THAT RIGHT OF WAY.
BY Edward n. Rarrett in N. Y. Independent.

" course you do; everybody knows that. IT
Il is simply the right to go across another
mans land, in order to reach your own,
which may be remote from any highway.
Oh you didn't know what fright of way"
wasl Well, there's nothing to be ashamed of
in that for the lawyers the mselves don't
know exactly what it is; whether it gives the
eight to the shortest way across, to the original
way or to any way that the owner of the land
chooses to grant. But there's no need of our
stopping to discuss that point.
1t was charming ece of ground that had
selected and bought On the outskirts of the
somewhat thriving village Of NJ. There
was a fine view OF the majestic Hudson on one
side and of the village on another. But
there's always but-there was at the rear of
my lot, short distance away, and hidden
among a growth OF neglected evergreens and
underbrush, what | failed to notice before pur-
chasing an old family burying ground.
/ wasn't used to buying building lots that's
the amount of it, and it was fortunate for me,
as Mr.. Van Grinder had said, from whom I
bought, that I was dealing with a 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 to this lot and contidentially told
me of two other men, in whom he took no in
terest, POSSIBLY, l have since thought, because
they were men of straw, who were both anX-
Sous to get it, but he was trying to hold on to it
for me- So, when had about decided to take
it, but wanted few days to think it over In
and consult my wife he counseled me that it
would be safer, not that there was any fear of
his backing out, but it would be safer, in case
of his death or anything of that kind, to pay
some amount down to bind the bargain. I
thanked him for the hint and gave him a
gound sum, cautiously taking receipt there
for
He then incidentally led me around near
that old burying-eround, and remarked what
very inoffensive affair it was, entirely unused
and covered with trees; but he hadn't men,
toned it before lest / should get sudden and
1lnreasoning prejudice against so nice a piece
of property. | confess that didn't appreciate
this last evidence OF consideration, butthought
he meant well and l would make the best of
st.
I explained to my wife, and it took more
explaining than thought it would, that dead
people were very harmless neighbors, espec-
tally when they had been dead thirty or forty
years; and they must have been very nice pee
Pile indeed to give their dead such fine piece
OF ground to rest in, with a view of the water
and all that.
She tartly remarked-yon know how women
will, the best of thenl-that she didn't know
what good view Of the water was to dead
people, unless 1 meant their spirits, and she
hoped they weren't the kind that hankeTed
alter view OF water. But I've got used to
such little pleasantries from Maria, and didn't
let this trouble me much
AS soon as the papers could be drawn up,
paid for my lot and received the deed, after
which I thought it would be nice thing,
while the house was being built, to have the
title searched, just IS matter of FORM and so
that l could feel positive when I stepped on its
threshold that everything was absolutely my
own.
The professional gentleman whom I en-
ployed to make the search soon told me that
the property had passed through good many
hands, and what was more interesting still,
that somewhere through this old farm that
my friend Van Grinder had purchased, and of
which my lot was part, there was reserved
''right of way' to an old burying ground.
L was somewhat alarmed, and fastened to
Mr.. Van Grinder for an explanation.
"Why, my dear fellow" said he, (such
friendly way he had of saying my dear fell
low'0 "that's of 10 consequence, whatever.
The ground is never used, as you see for your
self the family long ago stopped giving it any
care, and il any of the heirs are to be found
you couldn't hire them to be buried in it.
Besides, to make it doubly secure, I've re-
served way to the ground on the other side"
and lie pulled out his map and showed mt,
sure enough, a right of way mapped out from
the road to the ground by roundabout path
and through land not very available for other
purposes.
I left him, convinced that it was all right,
but still not feeling quite so firm in my posses
sion as before.
L Qi0n I ike the COiu-ulOCUeu language OF
that ancient conveyance, together with a
right Of way to and from the said burying
ground, for the purpose of burying their dead,
to them and their heirs forever
1 kept my own counsel this time. There
was no need of Maria's knowing ANYTHING
about the wretched fright of way, for women
are such hands to borrow trouble.
We planned our cottage, taking the pleas
are in it that every one does in arranging every
Soom to his or her needs.
q he e
the river, the dining room, situated in wing,
or 81, !" of the house, had a front window with
q fine view Of the village and the big church.
The house was finally completed and the
grounds gradually, under my direction, as
sumed the proper shape, and looked all the
more pleasing from their having been rather
rough by nature.
The ascent, which had been quite steep, was
reduced TO number Of gentle terraces, be-
tween which the road wound gracefully. We
were happy in our new home, and every little
improvement about the place was pleasure,
though it did cost money and labor. But after
q few months We learned that our place was
appreciated by others as well as ourselves.
One day stranger called and inquired for
me. After speaking of the weather and the
pleasant view, he said he'd like to look around
the place if 1 had no objections" ] was per-
fectly willing and accompanied him. His ap-
pearance was not prepossessing; his dress was
rather shabby and his eyes were everywhere
except on my face; but, in spite OF their
watchtulness, he had come near walking too
close to the kennel in which Bone" gigan-
tic and much-sdmired English mastiff spont
his days, fastened by stout chain. The dog
seemed TO dislike his looks even moro than /,
and could hardly be sppeased.
Finally, in an embarrassed sort Of way-he
had evidently been trying to work up TO the
subject gracefully, but faiied--my caller said
he'd ''heard that nv place was for sale"
/ assured him that was a mistake, where
upon he said that he'd Thought likely. but
he took q sort Of notion to the place and
thought il it cd be bought reasonable he'd like
70 own it."
Ny vanity, Of course, was touched at having
my choice approved, while, at the same time,
a vision Of the profits Of building and selling
arose before me.
/ said would sell II got a sufficient price,
and at his request named a good. round sum.
He shrugged his shoulders and said he couldn't
pay any such money. but he thought he
wouldn't mind giving a certain sum which he
named and which was about half what the
house had cost me.
L told him abruptly that didn't care to SELL
and cndeayored 20 close the conversation by
moving toward the house.
IF you should ever change your mind you'll
remember me, perhaps" said he, and handed
me an Old envelope with his name On il.
babe him GOOD day" and was about