The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-07-12

Ono nay In zach Year when Eurpf-
turc Vans aud Chaos REIGN Su-
prcme-An Odd system. nuiIt Up on
the Caution Of the Landlords.
In Scotland May - is annually civcn
over TO a perfect carnival OF Hitting"
In England houses OF the higher
rents are taken by the year ut any
quarter day aud the lower rented ones
by the month "a even by the week.
The hittins is thus spread over the
year. and no confusion arises. The
Scottish system is 10 let houses by the
year from May .. Even the smallest.
consisting OF only one room. are SO let.
On the great day in any large town The
sights afforded range from the laugh
able to The pathetic.
As soon as il is daylight the vans
previously "trysted" begin their work:
the goods arc loaded mp with more
haste than care and 10 the accountant
ment OF the good housewives iamcuta-
tons as some cherished household god
IS roughly flung into the van.
Arrived at the destination. further
troubles are In store. Perhaps the now
house is not yet vacated. and. as the
van Is required FOR other removals. tho
goods are dumped down I'm the sircct
srd there the poor family is loft
stranded for the time. Occasionally
some streets-in Glasgow. for instance
present an appearance Of wholesale
eVictions.
so numerous are the demands that
vans cannot always be obtained. and
every kind or vehicle. Including horse.
less carriages. popularity known as
"hurleys," are pressed into the service.
supplemented by father. mother and
the children. each carrying pictures
mirrors or other cherished articles too
+ precious 10 trust TO the tender mcrcics
I Of some ramshacSlc conveyance.
These professions are moving along
all day. The representative OF law
and order. upon this day at least. is
/ very lcnient. HIS gruT Move on is
/ less in evidence. and his ready note
+ book gets n rest. There are no cases
Of obstruction reported. although often
loaded vans have 70 remain I'm q street
/ an night
/ 1t may De that the 'poiisman" grasps
+ the humors Of thc situation. or perhaps
q fellow feeling influences him. No
doubt his own Fitting is in progress.
and he rctives on duty o. some strange
abode. there 20 assist en- carrying in
his goods. 20 sup Oh 4 crust Of bread
and cheese and sleep on the door. as
others have Co. 10.
\ stranger naturally inquiries the
cause 90 this one day given over To
chaos Il is 10 De found IN the call
ton of the Scottish landlord. Il is dif-
dcult 20 obtain house at any other
time than the lawful removal day. and
the canny house owner has prudontly
secured his rent q fortnight previously.
May 10
MOONLIGHT fittings are thus prac-
ticaiiy unknown. and there is little
loss a. rent from that cause. The rents
being payable half yearly only. the
cost Of collection is reduced, as Is the
risk Of loss. to % minimum. Tho sys
TEN entails great hardship 90 working
men compelled to change the scene of
their ialors They frequently cannot
obtain q house until term day and have
consequently 90 take lodgings and sup.
port their family I'm another town.
II fortunate enough 10 obtain house.
the landlord steps 10 and requires his
full years rent 20 be paid or deposited
in bank before he allows the goods Ia
be removed The unfortunate head OF
household is also responsible FOR the
full years rates OF his new" house.
although he may have paid in full nj
his vacated house
The only advantage TO the tenant is
security OF tenure for twelve months
and the certainty Of being accommo-
dated at the eXp,ry I'm the general
scramble. or course it happens some
times, through new houses being erect
cd. that some one is able to start the
ball rolling a day or two before term.
10 the comfort Of all involved in the
particular circuit; but. generally speak
Ing. May term day in Scotland is not
an institution 10 lee admired and copied
Strange TO say. Sandy not only takes
this day philosophically. but is much
more addicted 10 fitting" than people
south OF the Tweed. some families mov-
/ ing regularly every year without any
apparent necessity. One would scarce
/ ~ expect the worry and discomfort of
I the day and sue eding temporary
chaos TO be voluntarily undertaken. but
the fact is so.
The continuance Of the system itself
is standing monument to the British
long suffering and law abiding nature.