The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-06
LITTLE STORIES OF WASHINGTON LIFE
XII
AUNT MRANDY'S HOUSE
The Real Estate Mans Story
(The Real Estate Mans Story

<AGllA " LdAuE EAnAANNA rum NllE 70
the other with her sharp little bird
like twist Of the head. like a consider
ing robin
II keep on dom well OATS de onlles'
way we kin hope ter win salvation. But
I ain goin leave dis house whar OF
mastah done give me twen I'm carried
out feet fus'. You tell Sam an Luke dat
eff dey gitt'n' obstropulous."
The two women looked blank. Just
then a confident peal Of the door bell
sounded through the house. At a nod
from her mother Cora trotted 10 the
door. and presently ushered in the min
lister.
Reverend Elisha Perkins was a per-
sonable man. and the way in which he
took the best rocker and crossed his legs
as one familiar with his surroundings
struck terror into tn. hearts OF the two
daughters-in-law. They did not stay
long. but when they reached the side
walk each sole a furtive glance at the
other, and their eyes met.
Supposing she should was the
thought In each mind. but though they
paused moment, as foes may pause in
presence OF a common peril they did not
discuss the matter then.
Elisha Perkins was thirty years young
CT than Aunt M'randy, and she was far
the most important member. financially.
OF his church. Why should he not treat
her with distinguished consideration?
At any rate, he did. and she was graft
fed and pleased, and showed t. This
was the sort Of man she hoped her Bob
might become. and she determined that.
II ne did, he should have the house 1t
was something Of a shock, therefore,
when the minister tac;fuiiy made known
his desire that she should think OF him
as her closest friend and adviser, and
by his manner seemed 10 Indicate that
he might hope to be something more.
He agreed with her that the response
biiity Of wealth was burdensOme; he
pointed out the wisdom Of taking Il 10
the altar of the Lord.
When he left her she sat down in her
old cushioned rocking chair aud thought.
She thought a long time. She was in
terrupted by the entrance OF Mrs
Comes, whose bearing was plain proof
thzt she had a story TO tell. Her story
Ia Aunt M'randy rocking to and fro
and sobbing into her immaculate white
apron.
A stranger on the opposite side OF
the street stopped and looked. He was
a seedy stranger. with big hoIiows under
his wistful dark eyes. He looked Ike
a gentleman. but his clothes were those
OF a tramp. He crossed the street and
rang the bell Aunt NJ randy gave one
peering look out OF the window ana pat
tered swiftly 10 the door. The people
20 h.. inc a -
street about six o'clock that evening saw
the remarkable spectacle Of an old col
ored woman huggirg a shabby white
man on the steps OF a mysteriOus-look-
ing house. and crying,
My Lawd. honey wheah did you
come I'm? Lawd. Lawd, Marse Cor
don, you's de fus' one o. my white folks
Is seen In fifteen years
I've been sheep farming in Texas,
laughed the stranger. when he was seat
ed IN the little paTlOr. But see here.
Nanny, what were you so troubled
over a moment ago?"
"Oh. dat" she began TO sob again.
''Marse Gordon. my Bob-de baby-ds
one you use 10 call yo' boy-he's done
ruint hisself fu' dis worl en- de mex.
He been down in Georgia gOin' ter
school, en- he comm back er Baptis'
minister
Gordon Hildreth wanted 10 roar but
Aunt M'randy interpreted the twinkle
in his eye despite his self-control.
I been pestered in my min bout dis
house whar 70 daddy give me" she
went on. apologetcaIy. I'm hit look
Ike I got ter choose tween givin hit
ter der chiren right out CT ma yin
somebody dat'H look attain hit fu' me.
Marse Gordon, is you cOme back ter
stay"
We'll, Nanny. I don't know. Looks
like there's nothing in this town for
me 10 do"
''Marse Gordon, de Lawd sent fu' you
fu' TO take cath my p'operty. I knows
hit You sell hit en- buy me a III place
out en- de country nigh sam en- his
chiTen, en- you tex cath o. de money en-
vide it 'twix' de chiIen when I'm gone"
And that Is how Aunt Mrandy's house
came on the market, and Gordon Hi
dreth became q dealer in real estate
Within two months "a big Office build
ing was rising where the brick house
had stood, and on the ground floor OF
that building, years afterward. were the
Offices OF Hildreth < Hndreth, Real
Estate. Loans and Insurance.