New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-21
GHOST OF OLD ROMANCE
Ace VIII End Mystery of Deserted
BrOnr Mansion.

Standing at 18th street and Decatur avenue and
surrounded by other houses of the conventional
modern suburban design, the dwelling officially des
ignated No. 698 East 194th street does not at
tract the attention of the casual passer. 1t is
only a closer investigation that the modest
frame structure. nesting well back from the
and half hidden by several large maple trees. ndi
Gates that there is anything about ii out of the
ordinary.
At almost all times of the day night group
of small boys and girls can be observed lettering
about the place and peering in through broken
window the first floor, at the musty interior OF
the house of mystery. This group will scamper
away at the approach of the visitor, taking UP
their stand the street and observing his
every move in awed silence. Should the stranger
attempt to persuade of the children to climb
through the window and report TO what lies con
cealed IN the house he will be met with a firm
refusal and vigorous shaking OF the head. inter
polated with the remark:
Il wouldn't go In there for dollar, mister
there's ghosts in that house"
One feature stands out with prominence above
all else in connection with the place, and that is
the apparent air of expectancy which pervades the
building and its surroundings-an air as if the
dusty old place awaiting the return of the
owner, who had been suddenly called away and had
neglected to return. On the decayed porch are two
chairs lame and crippled and grooming under their
weight yet drawn up beside one another. as If
placed there Intentionally for tete-a-tete. The
tangled ends of what once gay-colored ham
end of the veranda, and the and bleached win
dow shades pulled halfway down the win
dows, as if to screen the front parlor from the
setting sun.
Tribune reporter, looking the place, made
his way to the rickety porch and peered through
the murky window panes into the parlor. This par
Tor is a rather commodious apartment. compared
to the rest of the house. and must have been the
especial pride of the former dweller In the centre
of this room could be distinctly seen the form or
an upright piano. the top half covered by cloth
of dark material, while the music rack. over
the keyboard, reposed a piece OF music-a love
song, perhaps. which had been left half finished
On the mantepieCe over the fireplace were numer-
Gus little figures of china and other objects of
bric-a-brac, while the walls of the room were hung
With big and lite paintings ana penand-ink
On two sides Of the room were bookshelves; built
tans suspended from brass rods. hanging down in
front of the books the shelves. So thick
cases objects appeared like little mounds Of dirt
and the thick carpets on the floor resem6ed
ne entire picture OF tie neglected ho!nestSad
ished hand, and the sound Of voice that is STILL
The 9ustudse ana geaeefnlness o. the scene are
the neghborhood have arisen in force and demand
Health that they take measures to rae f the old
to the Community owing TO the constant danger OF
ip the balance. the action OF the neighbors has
served TO bring to light a strange. weird romance,
causes which have left the building in its present
deserted condition.
1t is common gossip in Bedford Park where the
house is situated. that about twelve years
ago man named Benjamin Garno respected by
all for his gentle bearing and kindly nature, lived
there with his wife, and that upon her death about
that time. he continued TO 1--we there with the old
family housekeeper Bella.
Finally, within three years OF the death OF Mrs
Iarno, her husband began TO pay devoted attention
70 young widow, Mrs Julia Horton. an old
reached the point where the old house refur-
nishec from top to bottom. II in anticipation
OF rev mistress OF the place and everybody took
1t for granted that the wedding bells were soon
TO ring again. But day Benjamin Garno left
his house early in the morning and
thereafter.
Various explanations offered. but the gen
agreement between Mr.. Garno and the pretty widow
and the ceremony took place
Mrs. Horton. when interviewed upon the subject
admitted that Mr.. Garno had paid her attention
but would not admit that he had asked her 10
become his wife. She spoke in high terms OF the
old gentleman and recalled many Incidents Of his
soJourn in Bedford Park. but declared she did
not know his present whereabouts.
It was also learned that Mr.. Garno was formerly
connected with a paper called Turf Field and
Farm in addition TO which he an authority
on the game OF billiards. editing magazine by that
name Maurice DAILY Is said TO be intimate friend
Of Benjamin Garno.
Mr. Garno himself found by a Tribune re-
porter at his office, in No. IS New street He said
the whole affair was bit OF gossip. He said he
left the place account OF the lack OF police pro
lection, He would not admit the shattered ro-
nance.