Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-01-08
THE RED TENEMENT.


came interested the first time | saw him
and my interest never waned for the next
6fty-two weeks. There was rustic seat
OH the corner of the street just opposite to
where lived, and on this he was seated the
first time | saw him. by his side was "A
Sark haired, brown eyed chid-the only
terson whom he looked at the second time
md the only thing that seemed to have any
attraction for him, except something in the
direction of my house He sat there for
about three hours then, taking the child's
hand in his, walked away and did not see
him again for two weeks
1t was on Sunday morning, as it was be
fore, and near the same hour when he seat
ed himself in the same place, and divided
his attention between the child and what
thought to he my house. He ssld there
for about two hours, then went away rs he
did before After he had turned the cor
ner stepped out on the banquette and sur
vcyed my premises to see if could discover
wherein lay the attraction for the man, but
failed, so went indoors no wiser than
when came out
pondered over it for some time, and just
as concluded to give it no more thought
saw Simon again in his usual place and us
much occupied as ever in house gazing.
And there he came with the child always
on Sunday-twice a month for the next ten
months. He had "A good looking, though
very serious face, and the child was quite
pretty. Many II woman smiled at the little
one and threw Il second glance at him.
My housemad, a girl of sixteen, became
very absentminded and my powder box
aud pinching irons were far more frequent
ly in her room than in mine. This made
me think Of something else, and after no
ticing her more closely saw her sitting mt
the window, considerably bedecked and
adorned. coquetting with or at Simon
Webber
thought at once that she was the mag
net which had such Il drawing effect upon
the man, but in this was mistaken. as |
aftcrward found out, for not once did he
nod his head to her, and long after she left
he continued to come at regular intervals
And continually wondered what his bust.
ness was-if my house was haunted and he
on the lookout for the ghost, This was not
a very soothing thought, so | determined
to put the question to him and rest easily
or uneasily, according to his answer
When did he looked at me calmly for
moment, then replied: Your house haunt
ed5 Not that know OF" and without say
ing another word he turned the corner,
!
ing if he was altogether right in his mind,
and this | continued to think over until
one day several months later
There had been Il severe storm the night
before, particularly damaging to the cleo
trio wires, Many of the poles were split
from end to end, others bent and most of
them lying fiat on the ground. Wires
were kinked, twisted in knots and scat
! tered all over the streets Betmes the
next morning men were busily engaged in
setting new poles and putting the fixtures
| into proper condition. AS | glanced down
the long line of men working like so many
bees my eyes fell on the familiar face of
Simon Weber, whom had not seen for
several weeks and his little companion.
The little one sat on the lower step of a
cottage, swinging her feet and seemingly
perfectly contented with herself and the
world in general. 1t was too cold, thought,
for child of such tender years to be SC
long without fire, so permission to bring
her indoors was granted me reluctantly by
Simon
When the work had reached completion
he stood at my door waiting for the child
but at my earnest solicitation he came in
and partook with great zest Il cup of steam
ing coffee. AS he returned to me the cup
me question which answered rather un
civilly | was very unhappy that morn
ing. Knowing this, hope you will pardon
me-"
After replied ne dropped his eyes to the
floor, and allowing them to follow the out
lines Of n figure in the carpet, he in hi,
slow, measured tone went on
IL think you must have seen me MANY
times on this street, looking intently al
something which you no doubt for tim,
imagined to he this house, but it was not
The red tenement sits one block back O.
there. To avoid the publicity that woult
have been the consequence of going on tn,
street on which it was built | came here
where pretty fair view of it is to be haC
by looking between AS and Al, II little west
ward, which gave you the impression tina
| was watching your house. Three year
ago | was IA lineman and had been since
was quite ayouth. One evening just abou
dusk, went up to II pole that hadn't beel
in order for quite awhile. While was eX
aiming some of the wires "A voice aske,
me, almost in n whisper, to come dow
a minute. OF course my first impuls
before moving an inch was to look 70
the person, and saw young woman
standing at the base of the pole
'ln one moment | was beside her. look
ing into her pretty face and wondering VIII
she was and what her business could b
with lineman. She looked around
little nervously. then said Won't yol
please lend me your spurs for one me
ment' | stayed out a little late so dar
not climb the stairs, and there's but on
other way to reach my room-by climbing
the pole. | must hurry or he'll see me
Please don't refuse
81 was so astonished at the request tina
; | took no time to ask myself whether sh
was risking her life or not, but went bac
up the pole as fast as | could, markin
with chalk where she should put he
hands, and quicker than it takes to tell il
| strapped my spurs around her feet an
watched her ascend that pole almost a
well as could.
= "When she reached the top she gave
spring, and clinging to the window for on
moment to regain her breath she made
swinging motion and landed safely in he
room. She disappeared for a few seconds
: then tossed into my hands my spur
l. wrapped in a thick towel, together with
2 slim of naDer on which was written. don