Evening journal., 1909-07-19
The Agent of the
Tagblatt Property
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Loriglnal

IagDlatt mouse ana grounds, was PROB
ably the worst landlord that has ever
been seen on the face of the globe.
When Tagblatt died, Steiger was ap-
pointed custodian Of his property by
the court, and Steiger was then a
young man. The conditions OF the
will had excited a great deal of com
ment at the time Of Tagblatt's death.
but that had been so long ago that no
one living seemed to know anything
about it. Many persons had rented
the property, but no one could be found
who could get on with the landlord or
agent, or whatever he was, and not a
tenant had remained year.
The place was situated near the foot
Of the Harz mountains, on the out
skirts Of a village. The village had
grown to be a city, and. having envel-
oped the property, old Tagblatt's be-
quest had grown very vnluable-that
is, the land had. for the house was al.
most uninhabltable from age.
If Stelger was the worst landlord in
the world, Chris and Gretchen Rhein-
heart were the best tenants. The rent
al Of the Tagblatt property had never
been high, and when Chris and Gretch-
en- were married they decided to take
1t. This they did with open eyes, for
they knew all about old Steiger and
his ways. Hans was a 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 good deal of time when
he first went into the house endeavor-
ing TO make II habitable. Steiger came
along while he was at work and with
the usual abuse and oaths threatened
If he made any changes in the house
he would prosecute him under the law
Chris desisted for the time being, but
when stelger went away he proceeded
with his repairs.
However II was ,plain that there
would be no peace In 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 a
sweet disposition that she was fitted
to get on with Satan himself But
Stelger 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 It so hot for them that
/ Chris at last gave out and told Gretch
en- that he must either give up their
1 lease or 60 into a lunatic asylum
Gretchen's lovable disposition seemed
not a whit shaken, and they decided
/ that thereafter Chris should keep ou
of Steiger's way and she would receiv,
the abuse.
Then came a tussle betweeh gooC
and evil. When Steiger was seen com
ing down the street Chris would es
cape by back door, and when the ole
man stopped to abuse his tenants
Gretchen would meakly submit to th'
lashlngs Of his tongue. Gretchen tool
It into her lovely stupid head that 4
Steiger had a little piety he would no
be so unreasonable, so one day wheI
the door opened and he stood glarinl
at her she took crucifix on the man
tel, intending to tell him the story o
the Saviour What was her surpris
to see him the moment he saw it turl
away and hurry on down the street
sending back vOlleys OF execrations
just as retreating soldiers will turn ant
fire at an enemy.
But Gretchen had found an expe
dent. After that Stelger let then
alone for a long while. Indeed, he dil
not call again till Just before the ex
i, piration Of the lease, when he made
? fierce onslaught. accusing Gretchen o
having been trying TO burn the house
She covered before him for moment
for he looked more terrible than eve
} she had seen him: then. taking up tn
E crucihx, she was beginning TO tell hin
} OF the example and sacrifice OF tn
figure on the cross when with a how
: he made or again, just as he had don
before.
Having found a way to protect them
selves, they decided to renew thei
lease. but Steiger did not appear. an
the tenants submitted the matter (
the court Of wills.
One day the judge sent for the ter
ants, and they went TO him together.
"You have accepted the Tagblai
property for a yearg' he asked.
zone year Here is the lease I
expired a month ago. To whom shal
we pay rentT
"Steiger has disappeared. After dis
covering this ! looked up the will
which is on record. It seems that Tag
blatt had a shrew for a wife. and the
were always quarreling. Mrs. Taf
blatt died first, and when her husban
followed her he left their home to IN
devil"
ITO the devilr'' exclaimed Chris an
Gretchen, the woman crossing herself
eyes. to the devil. with the provisio
that II any couple could he found {
live in II one year they were to be II
owners"
"Gott in himmelw exclaimed Gretcl
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