Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-03-11
HOUSE FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR SALE.
In all Aubusson there was not q clean
er and a neater house than that of Mile.
Lisbeth Manduit.
It was this same love of cleanliness
which forced the worthy person one day
to put this sign on her door: House For
Sale" Bent under the weight of years,
she no longer felt strong enough to
sweep, brush, dust, wash, scrub and
scour each corner and nook, as in the
past, Of this spacious dwelling, and,
since she would not have been able to
live in a place where the smallest square
of the floor did not shine like mirror,
she preferred to get rid of piece Of
property which she could not take care
of.
The truth is, the old lady began to
stoop in most alarming manner, and,
above all, from the day she had put the
fatal sign on her door, one might say
that the furry and excitement Of such
a resolve had broken her definitely and
placed her Oh the border of the grave.
1t was M. Planchon, man of prop
erty and member Of the building coun-
Gil, who bought her house. The condi-
tions she proposed seemed SO advanta-
geous to him that he accepted them
without discussion.
She sold him her place for 10000
francs, to be paid in Is years, in annual
of q
counting the interest. The sale would
not be considered final until after the
payment of the last annuity. He, being
free to have said contract signed by all
his direct heirs, descendants, contempo-
raries and elders, if any one of these
signers failed to meet this last payment
in person, the house would then revert
to Mile. Manduit, while, on the other
side, if she died before the 15 years had
expired, even within eight days after
the sale, the house would Immediately
become the property of Planchon and
without his having to expend another
centime toward its purchase. Only,
Mile. Manduit reserved for herself, up
to the time Of her death, the two rooms
y n In short, sale in the form of a
life insurance y 4 if these conditions,
monsieur
The aged spinster was not able to fin
ish her sentence; a violent attack of
coughing stopped the words on her lips
and seemed almost to suffocate her. She
shook and grew so red in the face that
poor Planchon trembled, fearing that
she would pass away before his very
eyes. Then she fell back in a swoon, re-
manned for a moment perfectly inert,
and finally, opening her eyes, asked:
'Well, what do you say to it?"
"I accept" exclaimed the excellent
man with burst Of enthusiasm which
contrasted strangely with his usual pru
dence.
"Goodl will send word to the no.
tary to come here and prepare the con-
tract.
,Planchon took leave, impatient to
carry the good news to his wife. After
having acquainted all his family with
the details of the affair he concluded by
saying:
"There's only breath Of life left in
her, poor woman! = = 1 fear, indeed,
that before the year is up the house
will belong to us = = = It will not have
cost me dear 70
All the family signed the deed of ac-
QUESTION, accordingly: Planchon and
Nine. Planchon, with her baptismal
name of Caroline; Planchon's son,
Joseph, and Mime. Joseph; NJ and Nine.
Ancelin, parents of the young woman,
and Nine. Letellier, the widowed sister
of Planchon.
Mlle Lisbeth was so weak that day
that they could not sign the paper at the
notary's, but had to have it taken to
the home Of the owner. At the moment
that her signature was required the old
lady was seized with a violent attack of
coughing, followed by fainting fit,
Which lasted a quarter of an hour. The
purchasers looked at one another mortal
ly afraid. Finally, she revived and
wrote her signature with trembling
hand. All breathed sigh of relief. The
house was theirs.
They installed themselves therein,
without delay. The rooms were spacious
and very comfortably arranged, save for
the Enclosure formed by the two beauti-
full rooms with southern exposure, which
Mile. Lisbeth had reserved for herself.
The installation was laborious under
taking-Caroline would have liked to
nave the sunny rooms, but she had no
intention OF being relegated to the Sec
ond floor That would do very we'll for
Mime. Ancelin, the mother-in law of
Joseph! Then, too, if she settled herself
on the first floor, she would be all ready
to move into the sunny rooms directly
poor Mile. Lisbeth had taken her de-
parture for the other world, and that,
alas, would be before very long! M. and
Nine. Planchon chose, therefore, not
without sigh, the least bad of the
rooms OIL the north side, leaving the
other one to Nine. Letellier. The Ance-
Inns and the Josephs shared the second
floor.
Poor Mile. Lisbeth became so feeble
after the day of the sale that her pur
chasers were quite touched. They all
had very kind hearts, and, seeing her so
near the tomb, resolved, as by one ac
cord, to soften her last moments. as far
as lay III their power to do
They bestowed upon her all manner
OF little attentions. The day of the pot
au-feu, for instance, Nine. Joseph car
rled good soups to her, so that thus she
might be strengthened bit. If there
was chicken, Caroline sent her the wing.
Mime. Ancelin. who was really Gordon
bleu, never made souffle without put
ting aside portion for her, and even
NINE. Letellier. notwithstanding her
usual indifference, reserved always pot
or bowl of all the sweetmeats, jellies
and preserves with which she was wont
to fill the cupboards.
:. All these good people rejoiced to see
that. thanks to SO. ,nanu a4tox+;o,aa e,,a