The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-10

fully printed original short agreements
had long since run out, and tenancics
were continued by the year, by the
half year. and even by the quarter.
Under these noble agreements the
landlady was to do everything, tho
tenants We're to do nothing. For fif-
teen or twenty years no Hill Rise teu-
ant had ever put hand In pocket for
aught beyond the bare rent. There
were, however three repairing leases
held by Mrs. Granville, Mrs. Pad
field, and Mrs. Page. who paid o lower
rent than their noighbors. But the
original periods of these three really
businesslikc leases were also exhaust
ed: the good ladies had stayed from
year TO year: they were never called
.1on TO set their houses in order; aud.
as timc wore on. they asked as boldly
as any one else that Mr.. A. should
give commands for such repair as they
deemed desirable.
Afessrs. Griggs. the smart auction
GERS, We're shocked by the state of az
fairs when they drew up the particu-
lars for the Hill Rise sale. They would
have wished to be able to say some
thing after this style: The houses are
all let TO responsible tenants at an ay-
erage rental of f100 p. a. for terms
varying from 3 to 90 years, and an as
suredN income of $4,000 y. II. can there
fore be secured. etc, etc." But they
could say nothing OF the kind. In the
circumstances, only an auct!oneer
would have known what to say.
AIessrs. Grggs made proud boast OF
that which was truly a misfortune.
The attention of intending pur
chasers." said boastful Grisgs. 'is
called to the advantageous fact that
vacant possession OF all the houses
can be obtained within twelve months
IA a
was to enjoy every advantage OF va
cant possession.
Very great were the indignation and
rage up and down the devastated hill
side. when II became known that Mr..
Crunden demanded of the lcase-hold
ers his pound of flesh. Old Mrs. tirar-
vile of Number Ii. after sending ir
her notice. received a morning call
from Mr.. Bowling: and. at his polite
request, permitted him to ralnble with
the parlourmaid all over the house.
ne paked his nose, maam, into every
cupboard said the maid. II don't
know what he meant by IT." But what
Mr.. bowling meant was not long left
In doubt. There came with little de-
lay to Mrs. Granville an absurd thing
entitled Schedule OF Dilapidations,
containing descriptions even of her
smallest cupboards, quotations from
leases; and a verbose invitation to car
ry out the work specified to the sat,
isfnction OF Mr. Bowling or to pay to
Mr.. crunden $3.50 in lieu thereof.
but he is going to pull It down"
said the old widow lady. I won't pay
one penny. He owned himself he was
going to pull 1T down.
What the devil has that got to dc
with it?' said Mr.. Crunden warmly.
when explaining the matter to Lizzie
and to his clerk.
Lizzie and the clerk We're both puz-
zled, and inclined to tlrink with Mrs.
Granville that 1t would be strange to
paint and paper house before knock
ing 1t to pieces.
It may pull It down or leave 1t
standing-thats my business. I don't
want her paint and paper: want her
money--what she owes. But II She
won't pay. Ill make her do the york.
lThis obligation of hers to pay two
fifty, or something like 1t, have
bought and paid for;--it was a debt to
Countess Haddenham under the cove
mainland i have bought the debt and
the covenant. Can't YOU understand
that?'
Certainly Mrs. Granville and her
friends on the hill could not UNDER
stand it. Mr.. Crunden was very un-
popular at this time, and the story
of his most rapaciously impudent at
tempt rendered him more hateful than
ever "But he will not get it-not
one penny. Mrs. Granville told him SO
10 his face"
This was incorrect Mrs. Granville
had no personal Interview with her
new landlord. But. meeting his sur
Veyor one day oh the bridge, she gave
that gentleman n tremendous dress
ing. Mr.. Dowling-with Ny dear Mad
ans. and so forth-endeavored to de-
fend the schedule and his client: but
Mrs. Granville roundly told him that
/ he and his client We're no better than
a couple of thieves-and threatened
them both with the law OF tho land.
tTo be Continued To-morrow.)