Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-11-09
THAT RIGHT OF WAY.

You know what ''right of way" is. OF
course you do; everybody knows that. 1t is
land in order to reach your own which may
be remote from any highway.
Oh! you didn't know what "right of way"
was! Well, there's nothing to be ashamed of
in that, for the lawyers themselves don't
know exactly what it is; whether it gives the
right to the shortest way across, to the origi-
nal 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 a charming piece of ground that
had selected and bought on the outskirts of
the somewhat thriving village of M.
There was 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, a short distance away, and
hidden among a growth of neglected ever
greens and underbrush, what failed to no.
tice before purchasing-an old family bury
ing 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 l
bought, that l 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 confdentially told
me of two other men, in whom he took no in
terest possibly, have since thought, because
they were men of straw, who were both anX-
ious 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 bar
gain I thanked him for the hint and gave
him round sum, cautiously taking a receipt
therefor.
He then incidentally led me around near
that old burying ground, and remarked what
a very inoffensive affair it was, entirely I'M
used and covered with trees; but he hadn't
mentioned it before lest | should get sud-
den snafsi;sasonin ling prejudice against 50 nice
a piece of property. i coi.s that didn't
appreciate this last evidence of consid
but thought he meant well and would make
the best of it.
explained to my wife, and it took more
people were very harmless neighbors, espe-
cially when they had been dead thirty OF forty
years; and they must have been very nice
people indeed to give their dead such fine
piece of ground to rest in, with view of tho
water and all that.
She tartly rernarked-you know how
women will, the best Of them-that she didn't
know what good view of the water was to
dead people, unless meant their spirits, and
she hoped they weren't the kind that hank
cred after 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,
l paid for my lot and received the deed,
after which I thought it would be a 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
l stepped on its threshold that everything
was absolutely my own.
The professional gentleman whom / en-
ployed to make the search soon ted me that
the property had passed through a 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 a part, there was
reserved Fright 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!) "that's of no consequence whatever
The ground is never used, as you see for
yourself; the family long ago stopped giving
it any care, and if 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
reserved a way to the ground on the other
side" and he pulled out his map and showed
me, sure enough, a right of way mapped out
from the road to the ground by a round,
about path, and through land not very avail
able for other purposes.
left him, convinced that it was all right,
but still not feeling quite so firm in my pos
session as before.
didn't like the cold blooded language of
that ancient conveyance, together with
right of way to and from the said burying
ground, for the purpose of burying their
dead to them and their heirs forever
l kept my own counsel this time There
was no need of Maria's knowing anything
about the wretched 'right of way" for
women are such hands to borrow trouble
We planned our cottage, taking the pleas
ure in it that every one does in arranging
every room to his or her needs.
Some of the rooms, Of course, looked
toward the river; the dining room, situated
in wing or e. of the house, had front
window with fine view of the village and
the big church.
The house was finally completed, and the
grounds gradually, under my direction, as
suned 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 10 a number of gentle terraces,
between which the road wound gracefully.
We were happy in our new home, and every
little Improvement about the place was q
pleasure, though it did cost money and labor
But after 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 | had no objections"
= was perfectly willing and accompanied him.
His appearance was not progressing; his
dress was rather shabby and his eyes were
everywhere except on my face; but, in spite
of their watchfulness, he had come near
walking too close to the kennel in which
Bone, gigantic and much admired English
mastif, spent his days, fastened by stout
chain. The dog seemed to dislike his looks
even more than l, and could hardly be ap-
peased,
Finally in an embarrassed sort OF wayne
had evidently been trying to work up to the
subject gracefully, but failed-my caller said
he'd ssheard that nv place was for SaleH