The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22
FOR SALE: HALF OF
NOVFIIST'S HOUSE
Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson
Decides to Dispose of
Share in Abode
elimination of Quarrel in Fam.
lily of Widow of Famous
Author

The family quarrel which has ex-
listed between Mrs. Lloyd Osbourne and
Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson has cuI-
minated in the latter putting up for sale
her half of the old Stevenson home at
the corner of Hyde and Lombard
streets The other half is occupied by
Mrs Lloyd osbourne. who has no inten-
ton of parting with it.
The house was built by Mrs. Steven
son in the happy days before the cloud
of discord had appeared on the horizon.
Lloyd Osbourne and his wife were to oc-
cupy one-half of the house and Mrs.
Stevenson the other. Everything was TO
move along in q nice, quiet family way.
there was 10 be no trouble. and there,
Lloyd Osbourne. with his wife and
mother beside him, was TO soar TO liter
airy heights and prsnceiy royalties. 1t
was a perfect arrangement but
Time proved that three souls refused
TO have the single thought according to
schedule. Mrs. Stevenson had her
views, Mrs. Osbourne had hers and Os-
bourne had his; and the upshot was that
the whole developed into a family fuss
of large dimensions.
A year ago Mrs. Stevenson rented a
portion of the house which he had
decided to Lloyd Osbourne. Fearing that
she would lose the property Mrs. Os-
bourne hurried back from the east, gave
the tenant notice. nailed up the door
connecting the two residences, and open
kwar was on. The two women would
not speak to or even recognize each
other. From their respective lawns
they could observe each other enjoy
ing the view. but their ways lay in diff
ferent directions.
WIDOW FINDS NEW HOME
1t continued in this manner until
few months ago, when Mrs. Stevenson
began preparations for a new home at
Santa Barbara That home has been
completed recently and there she, with
all the Stevenson treasures, will jour-
ments can be made.
Since the controversy between Mrs
Osbourne and Mrs. Stevenson, Lloyd Os-
bourne has been living apart from his
wife, and, according to friends OF both
parties, taking sides with his mother
AS he owns the deed to half of the
property it was at first thought that
he had agreed with his mother to sell
his share with hers.
Asked IL she knew anything of this
phase of the deal. Mrs. Osbourne de-
clined to discuss it, but her friends say
that Osbourne does not possess the legal
right to sell his half without the sane
tion Of his wife, and as this Is not
forthcoming only that half of the house
belonging to Mrs. Stevenson can be put
on the market.
NOyELIsT'S HOUSE FAMOUS
The breaking up and the sale OF Mrs
Robert Louis Stevensonss home here VIII
be heard with regret by many persons,
for the house was famous as the resi-
dence of the great novelist, and tour
lists went to the Hyde street hill to see
the place where Steyenson's widow
lived. The house was one of the most
artistic in the city.
Stevenson before his death had sent
him to Samoa all the heirlooms of the
Stevenson family. for. strange as it
may seem. Stevenson took greater pride
in ancestry than he did in his talents.
and his desire to connect himself with
who do not unders tand the pride Scots
take in pedigree
1t was with the desire to surround
himself with evidences OF the belong
ings of an ancient family that Steven
SON secured from his old home ancient
furniture and pictures. hangings and
arms, which would delight the soul Of
any antiquarian.
These treasures, which breathe a his
toric spirit, will be stored in the new
home Mrs. Stevenson has purchased at
Santa Barbara, and Will no doubt be-
come the objects of curiosity of the
tourists who winter at that resort.