Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-03-27
AN ACCURSED HOUSE.

The Nicomte de B., an ami
able and charming young man, was
peacefully enjoying an income of so,
700 livres yearly, when unfortunately
for him his uncle, miser OF the
the worst species, died, leaving him
all his wealth amounting to 1000,
900.
In running through the documents
of succession, the Vtcomte de B.
learned that he was the proprietor OF
house in the Rue de la Victorie
He learned also that the unfurnished
building bought In 1S49 for 800, 00o
francs, now brought in, clear Of taxes,
rentals amounting to 81, 900 francs a
year.
TOO much, too much entirely,
thought the generous Vicomte. my
uncle was too hard. The rent at this
price Is usury, one cannot deny
it. When one bears great name
like mine one should not lend himself
to such plundering. 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 immedi.
ately for the concierge of the build
ing, who presented himself as
promptly, with back bent like bow.
"Bernard, my friend" said the vi.
comte, 'go at once and notify al;
your tenants that l lower their rents
by oue-third.
That unheard of word, slower fell
like brick on Bernard's head But
he quickly recovered himself; he had
heard badly; he had not underetood.
Lower the rents." stammered
ha Monsieur le Vicomte deigns to
Jest. Lower! Monsieur means tn
raise tbs rents"
II was never more serious in nv
life, my friend" the Vicomte re.
turned; II said, and l repeat it,
lower the rents"
This time the concierge was sur
prised to the point of bewilderment
80 thrown of his balance that he
forgot himself and lost all restraint.
"31onsieur has not reflected" per-
sisted he. "Monsieur will regret this
evening. Lower the tenents' rents
Never such thing known. monsieur!
II the dodgers should learn it, what
would they think of Monsieur? What
would people say in the neighbor-
hood9 TRULY"
M Bernard, my friend" dryly in
terrupted the Vicomte II prefer
when give an order to be obeyed
without reply. You hear me-gov'
Staggering like drunken man, NJ.
Bernard went out from the house OF
bis proprietor.
All his ideas were upset. over.
thrown, confounded. Was he or was
he not the plaything Of a dream, a
ridiculous nightmare? Was he him.
self. Pierre Bernard. or Bernard some.
body else?
Lower his rents! lower his rents!'
repeated he. ut Is not to be believed.
II, indeed, the dodgers had com.
planned. But they have not COM
planned; on the contrary, all are good
payers All, If his uncle could only
known Of this. he would rise from
The tomb! His nephew has gone
mad, ills certain! Lower the rents!
They should have up this young man
before family council; he will finish
badly! Who knows-after-this-
what he will do next? He lunched
too we'll, perhaps this morning.
And the worthy Bernard was 50
pale with emotion when he rc-cn'
tered his lodge, SO pale and spent,
that on seeing him enter his wife and
daughter Amanda exclaimed as with
one voice:
"eoodhess! what ID lsS W6at hs,
happened to you now!M -
"Nothfng." responded he with al.
tered voice; absolutely nothing"
"You arc deceiving me" insisted
Nine. Bernard: ''qou are coneealini
something from me; do not spare me
Speak, I am strong. What cid tht
new proprietor tell YOU? Does hs
think OF turning US Off"
III it were only that! But just
think. he told me with bis own lits-
he told me to-ah! you will never be
iiove me"
'Oh, yes. only do go ou."
"You will have it then! Well,
chen. he told me to notify all the
tenants that-he lowered their rent!
One-third! Did yon hear what I said:
lowered the rents OF the tenants
-"
But neither Nine. nor Mile Ber
nard heard him out-tfey were twist
ing and doubling with convulsiv'
laughter.
'Lower!" repeated they. ''sh, what
q good joke. what a droll man
Lower the tenants rents!"
But Bernard, losing his temper ant
Insisting that he must b. taken scri
onsiy In his own lodge, his wife los
Ees Nmne5. too anA oNvzsl 1cl