The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-11

IN TEARS
For many years have heard and read
in the papers how naughty and cold and
wicked the landlord in Il great city is.
In the melodrama also he is apt to be a
heavy set man, with kohinoor in his
shirt bosom. | had never been one of
those brutal but well fed parties with
massive gold watch fob concealed under
beetling abdomen peculiar to the land
lord. so in Il little business deal which |
mad one morning just before took mo
tub accepted a pleasant building west of
the park as part payment. 1t contained
flats. and these flats contained tenants.
These tenants no doubt regard me
even now, as | write, and while the tears
are yelling up in these red. red eyes and
scattering all over my spectacles so that
can hardly spell corrcctly-even now,
say. doubtless those tenants look OH me
as cruel man of great wealth. who gets
tired OF Europe twice year and who
sleeps III Il nice, fresh crepe du chine
nightie every night.
Instead of that | am here in North
Carolina on Il farm trying to raise enough
on the place to keep my beautiful New
York flathouse coy and nice for my
tenants. When got tho house thought
that it would help to maintain the farm
and buy large, nice baritone Shorthorn
cows for same. but it has not done so.
Soon after my purchase of the place
the Janitor said that he could not remain
any longer II his quarters were not
greatly refitted and refurnished A
friend OF his had just got Il job in one of
the new fiathouses. and his apartments
were so beautiful that my janitor wanted
something similar. sent for him while
Ill the city and had him come to me 'otel
talked there with him quite awhile
to ascertain what he desired III the way
of refitting, etc. After an hours chat
learned that he wanted something SIM
liar to the saloon of the Puritan steamer.
with tho Astor library in one end; also IL
few pictures of water nymphs Jerking il
grownup satyr into the branch like the
etching at the Hoffman House refectory.
He also intimated that his children
were growing up in ignorance. and
judged from what he said that he wanted
governess for them
And do you dare go inside of my
house with Children reared, suddenly
remembering that | should assume an
air of cruelty or the part would. be as
signed to some more clever artist
yes, sir: we have few" he said.
we had them in the old country before
we had any notion of coming to America,
but | have been naturalized now. sir
said he as his chin quivered. land it
shall never occur again"
SO he remained for the time being, |
putting some beautiful wall decorations
on the room and some of Looey Quinzey's
chairs. But he still murmured. and
every time he saw the palatial apart
ments of his friend he came homo and
cried and took on.
he was peasant in the old country
and lived in a precarious way on what
the COW took exceptions to- He also
roomed with the COW, and they grew up
as boys and girls together. Now he is n
Janitor, and soon he will be in the senate.
He already turns up his nose at the
house-nly house, | mean.
By and by tenant on the third floor
went away. 1t occurred while | was
abroad and when depended on his rent
to come home with. My agent wrote
me that Mrs. Puderbow had gone away
because total stranger had come into
our hall and had tit. | cannot remain
there all the time and lose my rest pre-
venting people from coming into my
hall to have their fits. and this man was
perfect gentleman. and, | may add.
man of means before the war.
So had to lecture on phrenology in
Milan to get enough money for my re-
turn. Does that look as if we landlords
always had an unlimited picnic and
enjoyed ourselves by pulling poor widow
women around over the floor by the hair
of the head. as they do in the drama?
trow not
Then came a vague rumor that one
could get fine apartments i'll Brooklyn
for much less money, and with social adj
vantages which | could not offer; also
club privileges and a straw ride. A
spirit Of discomfort sprang up, especially
in the fiat occupied by Mr.. and Mrs
Timberlake and a dear little doggess.
They were from Herkimer county, and
were LIVING in Nav YOrk II caar,c for