The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-09-30

nd the real estate agent sat In ms llttle WOODEN
entry-box, his chair tipped back against the wall,
is feet skillfuy poised the edge of his desk,
lille his eyes were fixed pensvely on swinging
obweb on the ceiling overhead.
Business is awful dull this year, said the
cal estate agent. Never knew it so stagnant.
We've only let thirteen houses and sold two
his season., said his clerk who performed the
ddtional duties OF oftice-boy, and sold Goals ana
wood on commission. and who was just now sur
cautiously reading novel behind the fat folds
the ledger
And them two sales wasn't sales-they was
othing but exchanges sighed the agent
Folks must move said Eben Joyce, the clerk,
18th cheerful aacrity
Then why amt they about 1T? SAID MI
raft, the real estate agent.
At that very moment however shadow dark
ned the square of yellow April sunshine that
vas doing its best to gild the unswept floor
,ortly old gentleman, with a gold-headed cane
buff waistcoat, and a clean-shaved double chm
,tood on the threshold.
is this Mr. Philo Pratts Officer" said he
q The real estate agent scrambled to his feet at
q, nce Your most obedient sir" said he, while the
4 Jerk pocketed the novel and tried to look very
@ousy indeed. How can nave the pleasure "l
serving you?"
I'm going to move said the stranger
Indeed" said the agent, busily rubbing his
@lanCs together.
I'm from New York" explained the old gen
2leman "My name is Drake. I'm tired of the
.ity, and contemplate an entire change OF 10
alton
d Just So said the agent A most excellent
dea
Il And added Mr. Drake, Il wish to rent de
Durable residence for year, with the privilege
8,f purchasing. Can you recommend any such?
81 joyce said Mr. Pratt catching up his hat,
harness the horse once. and see that the bug
Ky top is properly busted off and the wheels free
A1f mud Any such my dear sir? Scores of
such. The neighborhood OF AMMAN Water is, so
ITO speak, alive with en-.
But late in the afternoon the old horse and his
two passengers came back, weary and dispirited
mot one of the desirable places shown by Mr.
Pratt had suited the stout old sentlemans ca,
rscious fancy.
I'm sure. sir, don't know what more you
can ask. said the real estate agent, almost in
despair.
II can't make you comprehend my idea said
the old gentleman, i'll passion II don't want
any of these new-fansed villas and modern band
boxes | want Antiquity. want Age. must
have something mysterious. secluded out OF the
common channel. DO succeed in making my
Itself understood?
| Them amt the kind of houses have
Jour list, said the real estate agent in some dis
lgus But the clerk looked up from the slate on
(which he had been conducting a private game OF
fox and goose
/ How would Desperation Hall do, sir?' said
He, in "a confidential under-tone to his principal.
desperation Hall" repeated Mr. Pratt, aghast
4 Desperation Hall. taking name, that? said
3 he old gentleman eagerly Where is it? What is
a Its antique enough suit amy one said
NMr. Pratt, slowly chewing straw and tumble
Flown enough and mysterious enough; but don't
& pose any would want to liUe in it,.
e Il should s'pose it just the OF place
he gen leman would want. sir said Eben Joyce
,ausiby.
# Lets go and look at Desperation Hail. by all
neans,'' said Mr.. Drake, Selling his sod-headed
ane and replacing his hat on his head.
But it's almost dark, sir pleaded the real
state agent