The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-08-17

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Its my opinion, sir said Mr.. Luray,
slowly, "there's something radically
wrong about that there house. Nobody
wants It. It's been Ia the market three
successive years and II won't 20 Of, no
how We can fxit"
But" Mande lille exclaimed, what
do you mean? Is It haunted ~
Not TO my knoEledge, sir. said the
agent: @uniess the tenants have chosen
TO set up a ghost for their special edii-
cation
"The tenants are distant relations Of
my own," said Mr. Vaudeville, = little
haughtily. Il have not met them for
many years, but have reason to believe
they are ladies"
Perhaps 50, sir said Mr. Luray, dry
Is. eBut il has occurred 10 ny mind,
now and again, as things viii occur, you
know, sir, that perhspsI had better 90
up there and see aoout it.
'.Not 3 bad ides,r said Vaudeville.
"IHgo myself
And he went
The Morand Mansion was q great en-
tique house Of mOss-oovened grzy-stone
on the banks Of the Harlem river, with
borders Of yellow daifodils outlining its
path ike ribbons Of gold, and the earliest
croeuses blossOming around its door
steps. while hOary old pear-trees drooped
their boughs in the garden, and a superb
white-pine tree spread It's umbrella Of
black green shadow over the paved court
in front
Mr.. Vaudeville rang 81 the doOr-bell,
glancing as he did 50 al the TO Let"
which had become detached from its
board, and lay wedged in a t&ngle Of
goosebeny bu hes. 4 blaek-eyed hand
some young ELF came to the door, with
mass Of gypsy black hair curling down
her back, and faded calico frock, which
was nevertheless whole and neat
SIS this house to let?" Mr. Vaudeville
p1litely asked.
Yes" unwillingiy admitted Miss
Natalie Vane, commonly known as @Nat-
ty," with glance at the battered board
which lay face downward among the
gooseberries. AT least the agent told Us
so-and q cross cid growler be was"
sCould look att? ?" said Mr.. 8Iande-
vii, insinuatingly.
1T amt conven lent" answered Miss
Natty, planting herself within the door
in such a manner that he could not pos
sibly obtain an entrance without her per
mission.
"But the sign says TO be seen between
the houH Of twelve and four argued
Mr.. Vaudeville, consulting his chrono-
meter. And it is now halfpast one"
4 can't help what the sign SAYS" said
Natty. belligerendy. at isn't convenient.
Mamma is an invalid, and shecan't have
all creation tramping over the floors
above her head"
~But I am not all creation" said
Mr.. Vaudeville. And I will endeavor
not to, tramp any more than can
help"
1T isn't worth while for you 10 come
in said Natty, solemnly regarding him.
You won't ike the house, anyhow"
And Why nOt?" he questioned.
"It's moldy," said Natty, sinking her
voice to confidential whisper, and
damp. And the ceiling in the blue-room
has fallen, and the paper in the dining
room is al mildew. And the neiehbors
say there's ghost, but never saw it.
"Ah." said Mr.. Vaudeville. q
thought We should come to it at last. A
ghost, eh p
Yes" nodded Natty. @Down cellar
where the bodies Of some Revolutionary
soldier were buried long before any one
ever Thought Of building house here.
They walk there At night and clank their
swords At least German Creiehen. who
lived with Us once, used to say so. I
never neard any noise but the rats. But
all the same. it isn't comfortable 70 have
people saying thst there's ghost in the
house"
NO; certainly not" aoquiesoed Mr..
Vaudeville.
Besides" added Naiiy, "the house be-
longs to a crab"
"A-what o. cried Vaudeville.
a crab" said Natty. ~The landlord
you know. He's a cousin Of mamma's-
nobody knows how many times remov-
ed But ] know ne must be horribly SCI
fish and misery. And I rather ike the
idea Of keeping possession ofthe old
Morsnd Mansion, in spite Of him. dare
say he's dancing around the floor Of his
money vaults nov with rage about
it. But We had as much right TO our half
Of the old property as be had, no matter
what the iaE said. And We are beggars
almost, and be is a rich man."
Law said Mr.. Vaudeville, dryIv.
but not equity. That's it, eh pr
We've got possession Of theoId house
that's all / know said the young ont
-Aw. And We mean 10 keep IT."
But perhaps" said Mandeville. ebe
may not be as bad as you think
-0h, Fm quite sure Of it." said Nsttv
decisively.
4 suppose, said Vaudeville, looking
keeniy at her, shat you are NaialiePp
She started.
-How did you know
Because = he answered sOlemnly. a
sm-the crzbw
What"
= am William MandeyineH smilins
roeuishly. open the door. Natty and
let me in ] want to see your mother
Don't be frightened child. lam not an
CRY with you"
Natalie Redeemed Indignantly.
Frightened /" sherepeated. Il never
was frightened in my life. Least Of all
at you And-don't you think Won really
are crab, Mr. William Mande, lie ~
1T is very" said he, with great calm
nes-, that may have appeared Ike =
sheilfsh OF that nature. Bot I assure
you Il has been quite unintentional
have trusted too much to my agent He
10 d me you were desirous to leave The
house,
-IEen,' said Natalie. energetieaIly. she
odd a wicked, wicked story. Why
ehould NE laax. 80 ~