Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-02-19
AN Accused HOUSE.

The Vicomte de B., an amiable and
charming young man, was peacefully en-
joying an income of $1,000 livres yearly
when unfortunately for him his uncle, a
miser Of the worst species, died, leaving
him all his wealth amounting to g., 600, 900.
In running through the documents of
succession, the VicOmte de b learned
that he was the proprietor of house In the
Rue de la Victoirie He learned also that
the unfinished building, bought in 1S49
for 10000 francs, now brought in, clear of
taxes, rentals amounting to 900 francs a
year
TOO much, too much entirely" thought
the generous vicomte. my uncle was too
hard. To rent at this price is usury, one
cannot deny it. When one bears great
name like mine one should not lend him
self to such plundering. 1 will begin TO-
morrow to lower my rents, and my tenants
will bless me-"
With this excellent purpose in view the
Vicomte de B. sent Immediately for the
concierge Of the building, who presented
himself as promptly, with back bent like a
bow.
Bernard, my friend" said the vicomte,
''go at once from me and notify all your
tenants that | lower their rents by one
third"
That unhearl Of word "lower" fell like a
brick on Demands head. But he quickly
recovered himself; he had heard badly; he
had not understood.
Lower the rents" stammered he.
Monsieur le yicomte deigns to jest.
Lowerl Monsieur Of course means to raise
the rents"
II was never more serious in my life, my
friend" the vicOmte returned; II said, and
/ repeat il, lower the rents"
This time the concierge was surprised 20
the point Of bewiiderment-so thrown off
his balance that lac forgot himself and lost
all restraint.
Monsieur has not reflected" persisted
he. Monsieur will regret this evening.
Lower the tenants rentsl Never was such
thing known, monsieur! II the dodgers
should learn of il, what would they think
of monsieur What would people say in
the neighborhood2 Truly
M Bernard, my friend" dryly inter
rupted the vicomte, II prefer when give
an order TO be obeyed without reply. You
hear me-goW
Staggering like drunken man, NJ Ber-
nard went out from the house Of his pro-
prietor.
All his ideas were upset, overthrown,
COMPOUNDED. Was he or was he not the
plaything Of dream, a ridiculous night
marei Was he himself, Pierre Bernard, or
Bernard somebody else2
Lower his reutsi lower his rents" re-
peated he. 1T is not to be believed. II in
deed the dodgers had complained But they
have not complained; on the contrary, all
are good payers. All, if his uncle could only
know of this, he would rise from the tomb
His nephew has gone mad, tits certainl
Lower the rentsl They should have up this
young man before "A family council; he will
finish badly: Who knows-after this
what he will do next? He lunched too
well, perhaps, this morning"
And the worthy Bernard was so pale with
emotion when he re-entered his lodge, 80
pale and spent, that on seeing him enter his
wife and daughter Amanda exclaimed as
with one voice;
"Goodnessl what Is it, What has hap
pened to you now"
Nothing" responded he with altered
voice; absolutely nothing"
You are deceiving me-" insisted Nine.
Bernard; you are coneeaiing something
from me; do not spare me. Speak, am
strong What did the new proprietor tell
your Does he think Of turning as OFF,"
IF it were only thatl But Just think,
he told me with his own lips-he told me
to-ahl you will never believe mel
"Oh, yes, only do go on"
"You will have il them Well, then, be
told me, he ordered me TO notify all the
tenants that-he lowered their rents one
third Did you hear what | said'-lowered
the rents Of the tenants"--
But neither Nine. nor Mile. Bernard
heard him out-they were twisting and
doubling with conclusive laughter.
"Lowerp repeated they; "ah, what a
good joke, what q droll mani Lower the
tenants rentsr'
But Bernard losing his temper and in
sisting that he must be taken seriously In
his own lodge, his wife lost her temper, too,
and quarrel followed, Nine. Bernard de
claring that NJ Bernard had beyond a
doubt taken his fantastic order from the
bottom of liter of wine in the restaurant
at the corner. But for Mile. Amanda the
couple would undoubtedly have come to
blows, and finally Nine Bernard, who did
not wish to be thought demented, threw a
shawl over her head and ran TO the propri-
etor's house. Bernard had spoken truly;
with her own two ears, ornamented with
big, gilded hoops. she heard the incredible
word. Only as she was a wise and prudent
woman she demanded "a bit Of writing
TO put, as she said, "her responsibility un'
der cover"
She, too, returned thunderstorm, and
all the evening in the lodge father, mother
and daughter deliberated.
Should they obey or should they warn
some relative Of this mad young man,
whose common sense would oppose Itself
10 such insanity
! They decided to obey.
e..