The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-11-24
SAisceIlauen11s
FOR SALE, OR TO LET.
BY LUCY RANDALL COMFORT.

1t wanted just four weeks to the
first of May, and the real estate agent
sat in his little wooden sentry-box, his
chair tipped back against the wal, his
feet skilfully Ioised on the edge of
his desk, while his eyes were fixed
pensively on q swinging cobweb en-
the ceiling overhead.
Business is awful dull this year."
said the real estate agent. "Never
knew it SO stagnaut."
We've only let thirteen houses and
sold two this season." said his clerk,
who performed the additional duties
of otfice- boy, and sold Goals aud wood
on commission, and who was just now
surreptitously reading u novel behind
the fat folds of the ledger.
And them two sales wasn't sales
they was nothing but exchanges"
sighed the agent.
Folks must move" said Eben
Joy ce, the clerk, with cheerful alacrity.
"Then why amt they about it1'
said Mr.. Pratt, the real estate agent.
At that very moment, however, q
shadow darkened the square of yell
low April sunshine that WAS doing its
best to gild the unswept floor. A port
ly old gentleman, with gold-headed
cane, buff waistcoat, and q clean
shaved double chin, stood on the
threshold.
SIS this Mr.. Phi!o Pratt's cffi.e ?n
said he.
The real estate agent scrambled to
his feet at once. Your most obed-
lent, SIR. said he, while the clerk
pocketed his novel and tried to look
very busy indeed. How can l have
the pleasure of serving your"
II am going to move" said the
stranger.
"Indeedr' said the agent, busily
rubbing his hands together.
I'm from New York" explained
the old gentleman. MY name is
contemplate an entire change of To-
| cation"
"Just So" said the agent. A most
excellent idea"
And" added Mr.. Drake, Il wish
| to rent desirable residence for one
year, with the privilege of puechas-
ing. Can you recommend any sueh?''
Joyce" said Mr.. Pratt, catching
up his hat, harness the horse at once,
and see that the buggy top is proper
| ~ busted off and the wheels free OF
mud. Any such, my dear sir? Scores
OF such. The neighborhood of Amman
Water is, SO to speak, ali ve with EN-"
| BIT late in the afte rnoon the old
horse and his two passengers came
i back, weary and dispirited. Not one
of the desirable places" shown by
Mr.. Pratt had suited the stout old
gentleman's capricious fancy.
I'm sure, sir, l don't know what
more you can ask" said the real es.
tate agent, almost in despair.
| II can't make you comprehend my
idea" said the old gentleman, in a
passion. II don't want any of these
new tangled villas and modern band
boxes. / want Antiquity. l want
Age. Unjust have something myste
rious, secluded, out of the common
channel. Do 1 succeed in making
myself understood?'
Them amt the kind OF houses we
have on our list" said the real estate
agent, in some disgust. But the clerk
looked up from the slate on which ht
had been condTC ing private game
Of fox and goose.
"How would Desperation Hall do
sir ?" said he, in a confidential under
tone to his principal.
desperation HALL" repeated Mr.
Pratt, aghast.
desperation Hall!-a taking name
that!" seiG the old gentleman, eager
ly. "Where is it? what is it?"
Its antique enough fer any one,
said Mr.. Pratt, slowly chewing straw
land tumblesdown enough, land mys
tericus enough; but don't s'pose an.
one would want TO live in it,"
II should s'pose it was just the sor
Of place the gentleman would want
SIR" said Eben Joyce, plausibly.
Let's go and look at Desperation
Hail, by all means,n said Mr.. Drake
Selling his gold-headed cane and re
placing his hat on his head.
"But it's almost dark, SIR" pleade'
, the real estate agent.
Hang the dark" exclaimed tn
stout old gentleman.
"If thou wouldst view for Melrose Alright,
Go visit it by the pale moonlight"
Come on! come onl don't let's los
timer'
The real estate agent, not being
literary man, was uEacquainted wit
the words of the late Sir Walter Scot
!. II don't know as there's any moo
tonight" said he, land Metros
Station amt on the Hudson Rive
road; it's on the Harlem line"
Yes, yes, exactly" said the oil
!; gentleman, coughing. Let's go g
! once"
!. II don't b'lieve you'll like it," sal
9 Pratt.
Suppose you allow ME to judge fc
myself on that point" sarcasticall
observed Mr.. Drake; and SO they ST
OF without further pariey.
!, Desperation Hall WIS some thre
miles Off the high-road "a long gra
+ stone house, big enough fer 6arracl
n and lonely enough for a prison.
?: stood on the very brin'; of brawitn
= stream, shut il by noss-enamelie
:. rocks. and overshadow ed by q dent
growth of Norway spruces, cedar
y and dropping hemlock;. Most of til
= window panes were broken; gree
mould covered tho door.stOne and