Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-19

On one of the old time streets in an old time city an enterprising real estate spec nlator bought an old time residence at what he conceived to be a bargain price. IA few hundred dollars spent on the old house made it neat and inviting in ap- pearance, and the owner found very little trouble in securing a good tenant for his new purchase. The tenant was a regular renter, and as he paid his rent promptly, without any complaints, the property owner thought he would have the tenant for a number of years Shortly before the close of the renting year, however, the tenant informed his landlord that on the termination of the lease he intended to move. No reason for removal was as- signed, and when pressed by the land lord the tenant would give none. He in- tended to move and that was all that could be gotten out of him.. The house was commodious, fitted with all modern improvements and in a convenient loca- ton, so there was no great trouble in securing a tenant at the opening of the new renting year. Tenant No. had been occupying the premises about three months and was entirely satisfactory to the landlord, when one day he informed the property owner that he would be obliged to leave the house. The owner pressed him for a reason for his sudden surrender of his lease, and the tenant finally told him that the neighbors circu- lated a report that the house was haunt led, and a result his family was so ter rified that remaining longer was out of the question. Nothing could be done but allow the tenant to move, which the land lord did with reluctance, and began look ing about for another tenant, who was soon found and duly installed in the house. Before the end of the first month tenant No. informed the property own CT that the house bore a reputation of be- ing haunted, and owing to the discomfort .se foK hA continue to occupy the place after the end of his month. The landlord talked with the tenant; reasoned with him on the folly of grown man being influenced by such notions, but to no avail. He ad- mitted readily that he had neither seen nor heard ghosts but he had wife whose nerves were not of steel, and the peace of mind of the family depended largely upon the condition of the Wife's nerves. The property owner was mar ried himself, and when the proposition was put to him in this shape tenant No. 8 was released from his lease. After agreeing to release the tenant the land lord invited him to @ convenient refresh ment stand, where, over bottle or peer, they talked the matter over and the tenant informed the landlord that one of the neighbors had been particularly of- ficious in circulating the report Of spooks, spirits and goblins possessing the premises from which he desired to move. The ldnulOEu u6lciHi tO SifC this neighbor good, strong dose, and the day after the removal of tenant No. he went to look after his vacant prop erty. Besides this property he owned considerable property in the city, large part of which was negro tenement prop erty. He began thinking about the va cant premises, mailing on board here and there on the fence between his prop erty and that of his troublesome neigh bor, and 1t was not long before the neigh bor was out to talk to him. The neigh bor was lady, and she had talked but few minutes when she began to discuss the vacancy of the property, and ex- pressed a hope that the next tenant to occupy the house would remain longer than the party who had just vacated 1t. "Oh yes," replied the landlord, 'I am satisfied that the next tenants will re main some time. You know it is reported that the house is haunted, but I have a lot of negroes living down on - street who are not afraid of ghosts. There are eight rooms in the house. l will put eight families in, and have no doubt at all that they will stick" The lady had no more to say, and after ob- serving that his first shot struck the bulls eye the landlord left to look up new tenant for the premises. He was fund, and in few days took posses Fion. He has occupied the property for nearly year and if he has ever heard g rumor of ghosts in the house the in- frmation has not yet reached the ear Of his landlord.
 Tn one of the large manufacturing cities of the great west about eight or ten years ago small dealer, who had commenced on modest capital and Strug- gled upward in the battle of life, sud- denly found himself pressed, almost into insolvency Disaster seemed inevitable, and in a despairing frame of mind he went to his cottage home one evening and unbosomed his troubles to his good wife. The outlook to him was gloomy, and he saw nothing ahead of him but failure and return to working al his trade at days wages. His wife ques- toned him about his affairs and ascer- tained that there was but one obligation which was so serious in amount as to cause him apprehension. The smaller liabilities he could manage to take care of and acquit without great trouble and inconvenience, but this large indebted
 ness, to settle it, would require every thing he possessed, and would take from him the bright little cottage home he had toiled so long and so faithfully to &C., quire The debt was due to Mr. F., the owner of one of the largest and wealth iest manufacturing concerns of it's kind troubles of her husband the good wife, to cheer him up, told him not to abandon hope; that there was yet chance to pluck success from the very faDgs of defeat and In concluSion suggested tnal he would call on the wealthy manufac- turer and give him a full and complete statement of his affairs and the prospects ahead of him, and appeal to him for more time in which to work out and straighten himself with the world. She expressed the belief that this plea would be successful, but to save her life could give no reason for the faith which so firmly possessed her. The effort would cost nothing. and a failing man, like drowning man, will catch at every straw,