Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-10-20
Why the House
Rented Cheap
By WARREN D. BENTON
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

III wy AoAN AcASs
Association.
Desiring a house and grounds in the
country. l scanned the newspapers till
l found an advertisement of one that
appeared to be what 1 wanted. Taking
my little boy with M for company and
to give him a holiday, l went to the
place. found the agent who had the
rental of the house and signiied a de-
sire to look at it. He drove me to it
and showed me through the premises.
When l asked him the price he hemmed
and said:
What do you wish to pay"
l named a price. about half what I
thought the place was worth, and was
very much astonished that the figure
was accepted.
l resolved to remain in the town
near which the house was located to
make inquiries as to why it rented so
cheap. At the hotel where we stopped
while eating supper l engaged the land
lord in conversation and told him that
| had come to look at the Rand prem
ises. as they were called, with a view
to renting them. At the mention of the
place he cast a quick glance at me. then
busted himself at a side table Where
the meats were served, as though he
did not wish to continue the subject.
I did all l could to draw him out, but
failed signally.
After supper. taking my boy with me,
I went to a garden decorated with Chi
nese lanterns and, seating myself at a
table, ordered a glass Of wine. A man
sat at the same table, and l addressed
him:
DO you reside in this town, sir?"
Il do" he replied.
do you know anything about the
Rand place." I asked, looking at him
knowingly.
You refer to the old gentleman who
is interested in the hedge?"
Eyes"
1 had never heard of an old gentle
man near the stable, but suspected
that l had struck what I was looking
for, and this was the reason for my
affirmative reply. I waited for him to
speak again, but he did not. So to
lead him on I said:
"Have you ever seen him?"
II? No. How could I see him?
"Why. with your eyes. of course"
Don't you know" he said, looking
at me in surprise. that only a child
can see him"
ga child Ss T oc1-oI r,,1u1o1
eyes. Your boy might, but not you"
"H'm!" | said for want Of some
thing more indefinite to say and not
wishing to give away my ignorance Of
what he was talking about, then after
a pause. SIS he always there?'
That no one can tell. No adult has
ever seen him and only a few chill
dren.'
There was an orchestrion playing in
the garden. and during this converse
ton my son had left me and zone to
listen to it.
Il wonder" I said to the stranger,
eff my boy would see him?"
THE boy who sat with you when
you first came to this tablet"
Yes
II should think he might"
why 500"
"Oh. it is only a surmise. The little
fellow has a spiritual look"
What is the best time to see the old
gentleman?"
about 5 in the afternoon. That's
the time he was killed"
The time he was killed?"
Eyes. He had ordered his horse, a
vicious brute. for his accustomed horse
back ride. A new groom had Just
come to work for him who did not
know the animals tricks. one of which
was to refuse to leave the stable, rear
ing and plunging when expected to do
so. The old gentleman went out to
see why his horse was not brought
round and found the groom struggling
with him. The gentleman mounted
the beast. gave him the whip and clap
ped the spurs into his tanks. The
horse shot out Of the stable, and be-
fore be could be turned brushed against
the hedge. throwing his rider, who fell
on his head and broke his neck. The
I'M was exactly fourteen minutes aft
er s."
was tempted to laugh. but resisted
the impulse. Nevertheless there is a
bit of superstition in all of us, and |
determined to take my boy to the place
the X afternoon. Besides. l wished
to tell my wife the story of why such
a bargain was offered and assure her
there was nothing in the story. So
the next afternoon l went with my
boy to the place. arriving there about
8 o'clock. We walked about the grounds
for a quarter of an hour. when l said:
II wish there was some one here Of
whom to ask some questions about the
place"
There is. papa. Perhaps the old
gentleman over there can tell you what
you want Ia know"
! started. saw no one.
THAT old man over there pruning