Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-29

If Steiger was the worst landlord in
the world, Chris and Gretchen Rhcin
| heart were the best tenants. The rent
al of the Tagblatt property had never
been high, and when Chris and Crotch
en- were married they decided to take
it. This they did with open eyes, for
| they knew all about old Steiger and
his ways. Hans was carpenter and
| could make repairs himself So the
| young couple decided to take the place
| at the low rental and not trouble the
| landlord to do anything for them. BY
this means they hoped to be let alone
and not have any trouble.
Chris spent a good deal of time when
he first went into the house endeavor-
ing to make it habitable. Steiger came
| along while he was at work and with
| the usual abuse and oaths threat ened
| If he made any changes in the house
he would prosecute him under the law.
| Chris deSisted for the time being, but
when Steiger went away he proceeded
with his repairs.
However, it was plain that there
would be no peace iii the house, and
the couple talked over the matter of
leaving it. They finally decided to
stay, Chris for the reason that he was
too determined to be driven out and
Gretchen because she was of such n
sweet disposition that she was fitted
To get on with Satan himself. But
Steiger seemed determined to drive
them out They made it difficult for
him by denying him preteXts. The
rent they invariably paid before it was
due. They never asked for anything to
be done TO the property. Indeed. what
ever patching they did was for its i'm
proVement as any court would have
decided. Notwithstanding all this care
Steiger made il so hot for them that
Chris at last gave out and told Crotch
Ell that he must either give up their
lease or go into a lunatic asylum.
Gretchen's Iovable disposition seemed
not whit shaken, and they decided
that thereafter Chris should keep out
of Steiger's way and she would receive
the abuse.
Then came a tussle between good
and evil. When Steiger was seen com
ing down the street Chris would es-
cape by back door, and when the old
man stopped to abuse his tenants
Gretchen would meekly submit to the
laShingS of his tongue. Gretchen took
it into her lovely stupid head that if
Steiger had Il little piety he would not
be so unreasonable. so one day when
the door opened and he stood glaring
at her she took Il cTucifiX off the man
tel, intending to tell him the story of
the Saviour. What was her surprise
to see him the moment he saw it turn
away and hurry on down the street.
sending back volleys of execrations,
just as retreating soldiers viii turn and
fire at an enemy.
But Gretchen had found an eXpe-
dent. After that Steiger let them
alone for long while. Indeed, he did
not call again till just before the eX-
piratiOn of the lease, when he made Il
fierce onslaught, accusing Gretchen of
having been trying to burn the house.
She covered before him for moment.
for he looked more terrible than ever
she had seen him; then, taking up the
crucifiX, she was beginning to tell him
of the example and sacrifice of the
figure on the cross when with Il howl
he made off again, just as he had done
before.
Having found n way to protect them
selves, they decided to renew their
lease. but Steiger did not appear, and
the tenants submitted the matter to
the court of wills.
One day the judge sent for the ten
ants, and they went to him together.
you have accepted the Tagblatt
for a year, he asked.
Zone year. Here is the lease. II
expired Il month ago. To whom shall
we pay rent?"
"Steiger has disappeared. After dis
covering this I looked up the will.
which is on record. 1t seems that Tag
blatt had a shrew for q wife, and they
were always Quarreling. Mrs. Tag
blatt died first, and when her husband
followed her he left their home to the
devil"
ITO the devil" exclaimed Chris and
Gretchen, the woman crossing herself.
Eyes. to the devil, with the provision
that if any couple could be found to
live in it one year they were to be its
owners
"Gott in himmelw exclaimed Crotch |
en-.
Where this agent named Steiger |
came from and where he got his au-
thority no one seems to know. he got |
hold of the property before I came on |
the bench. But that is now of no inn |
Dortance. 1 will have the property |
made over to you jointly"
"Jesu Maria! We have been paying |
rent to the devil"