The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-06

that day she actually obtained the aid OF
three other young vixens of vaSous colors
and sizes TO add insult to the injury she
was infiicting upon me-
They romped all over their garden in
breach of netghborly courtesy. they laugh
ed and they sang, and they played GRO
quet, and they did many other reprehen-
sible acts.
1t was impossible to face the whole bevy
OF dangerous persons, and 1 went indoors,
sad indeed, for my peace of mind had re-
ceived a rude shock, and / was more than
ever convinced of the Objectionable quail
ties of womankind.
In my distress stated my case to Mrs.
O'Flaherty
''Shure, sorr," the good woman replied
to me, there's more houses in the wide,
wide world, an if l was you, sorr, it's
takin' a house in the country I'd be
afther wild no neighbors at all, at ALL"
1 admitted the wisdom of Mrs. O'Fla-
herty's suggestion. said to myself that
1t would be nice indeed to live in quiet
country place where no COMPOUNDED i'm
pertinent young women could annoy me
by enjoying themselves next door to me
where man could sit and smoke, and
see nobody but himself and the garden
wall.
1 looked through the papers in the en-
deavor to discover a suitable announce
ment. Presently my eyes alighted on the
Following, which was tempting enough, to
be sure:
"A desirable Villa to Let, standing in
well-timbered grounds, surrounded by
high walls, five miles from Ashingham
| Station, on the L. and NV. railway, and
six from Burnham on the Midland rail-
| way. Lovers of picturesque solitude will
| find this an unusual opportunity. To be
| had on lease or three years agreement at
very moderate rent by applying to Mr.
James w. Smith, land and estate agent,
| Burnham."
| Here was a find. Five miles from one
station and six miles from the other. No
women would bother me there-no prying
neighbors of any kind
| l asked Mrs. O'Flaherty whether she
would come and keep house for me-
"Faix,- sorr," said the good old soul,
cts to heaven I'll go wild yez. or to the
! divil either.'
| / told her that I didn't think required
her company on either Journey but that
I would take her down the country with
| me.
Two mornings after that 1 found myself
in the office OF Mr.. James w. Smith at
Burnham Mr.. James w. Smith was rep
resented by yellow haired young gen.
tleman of leery aspect, whose age-ap-
parently between IA and Ibid not war
rant the perusal of the Sportsman, in
| which he seemed very much interested.
| asked him whether Mr.. Smith was in.
&c ainAt in, SIR was the reply, but
represent i'm, sir" The young gentle
mans air of business Importance was edi-
flying.
l showed him the advertisement, and
he grinned. When asked to be allowed
to see the house the young gentleman
grinned again, took his hat from the peg,
and grinned again, put it on, and
| grinned again. He kept on grinning until
his cheeks seemed in imminent danger of
| splitting. Something was evidently tick
| ling the young partys risible nerves.
1t was a long walk from the estate
agents Office, and when we had proceed
ed rapidly for about a mile we came to
a shady lane, which was simply delicious
| with the summer sunlight barely twink
ling through the overhanging arch of
leaves.
thought it lovely. 1 had not for years
seen anything that had so much the odor
| of country peace as this.
AT last we reached big wall shaded
by massive and stately elms and beeches,
and the young man opening a little gate
In the wall told me that this was the
place.
l was amazed There was a garden OF
| an acre at least; in wild disorder, it was
true, but beautiful in its disorder. 1t was
surrounded on all sides by grand trees
|
center of this little bachelors haven stood
the house. 1t was pretty, overgrown with
l ivy and Virginia creeper, and in very good
| repair. There were seven or eight rooms,
in most of which the furniture, carpets
and fittings still remained. The furnt-
ture was old-fashioned, but good and sol
id, mostly substantial mahogany. There
was a garden at the back which might
be turned into lovely carpet of flowers,
and the walls on the southern side were
stocked with promising fruit trees and
vines.
asked what the rent Of the place was,
and was answered, fifty pounds year,
SIR
l thought that this was mistake. The
place was we'll worth a hundred.
Are you sure that is the rent?' asked
''Yussir" was the answer; 'his it too
much, sir?"
expressed an opinion that I was not
| certain.
The young gentleman pulled out hiaGlffs
and collar, rubbed his hands as If In
| weighty meditation, and assumed an air
| of serious business which sat curiously on
his eery features.
"'Cause," he said, "if you think hits
too much sir, you ken ave it for forty,
| sir"
There was something wrong with the
place evidently. Else why were they 50
anxious to let It?
'Is there anything the matter with the
| placer" / asked.
mot has / know on, sir; nothin' hextri-
hordinairy, sir, said the young man. Mr.
Smith, e wants a tenant for the place, sir
hand If you wanted to take it, sir, ano
forty his too much, sir. you ken ave 1t fol
thirty, sir. 1 want to do a stroke o. biz
! ness, SIR"
tapped the young man on the shout.
der
There is something the matter with this
place." / said, else you would not let II
at the rent you're asking. What is it?''
well, sir, to tell you the bloomin' truth
SIR" the young man replied, scratching
his sandy poll, "the place is aunted. sir. u
"Haunted?" l asked, what do you
mean? Ghosts?"
"Yussir," he answered. "Gowsts."
\ felt relieved.
"Is 1t a womans ghost?" l asked
mo sir" was the response, hits q
man, sir, what ad is throat cut, hand e
walks about with Il an groans."
My mind was easy. 1t would have been
very awkward 70 come away from town
ON purpose TO get away from womankind