The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1910-05-13
THE SPITE FENCE.
1t Came Down When a Little Tot Taught
How to be Neighborly.


city, and all it's home owners were
substantial men of business. The homes
were of tasteful character ana with
a pleasing mixture of designs Cedar
Park ranked high as a desirable resi-
dence section for men of comfortable
means.
The original owner of house 24GS
Parkview avenue was Edgar Thomp-
son., and the original owner Of 2470
was John Wanser, and these buildings
were among the most attractive on the
street.
Owner Thompson occupied his
house nearly year and then his son,
who had located at Los Angeles and
was doing well, coaxed his father to
sell out his property and remove to
southern California
The neighborhood change worried
John Wanser. He and Thompson had
become very good friends, and he
dreaded the thought that new neigh
Dor might not prove as agreeable as the
old one.
John Wanser was man of strong
convictions and firm prejudices, au
inheritance from long lines or sturdy
German ancestry. A man of blameless
life, his likes and dislikes were equally
firm, and he stood squarely upon his
rights.
For a month or two the house
stood vacant, and then John Wanser
learned it had been sold. He went
to the agent to inquire about it. Yes,
the house had found purchaser His
name was Martin, James Martin, man
of mechanical genius, who was under
stood to own several valuable i'm
provements in factory fittings. He
was a man Of Scotch-Irish descent, and
the family consisted of himself and
wife.
In a day or two the new owner
moved in. When John Wanser reach
ed home from the insurance office,
where he still directed affairs, he found
that the Martins were in possession.
AS he passed the house he noticed a
little man with gray hair on the front
porch examining the window castings.
The little man had a quick, nervous
way about him. He was a strong con-
trast to John Wanser who was big
and quiet and slow.
The little man turned and looked
at John as the latter passed, and gave
him quick nod. John gravely nodded
back.
1.-THE new people have moved in,"
his wife told him as he entered the
house. ''They seem to have lot of
nice things. Mrs. Martin doesn't look
very well, and l noticed she didn't
have much to do with the moving. She
has a nice, kind face"
John Wanser took off his overcoat
and hung it in the coat closet off the
hall.
"We will go a little slow with the
new neighbors, Elsa" he said. ut
isn't well to be too thick with them un-
til we find out something more than we
already know"
John Wanser had a form of speech
that frequently suggested his German
ancestry.
"And what do you know about them,
John?"
VERY little yet. Only he is Scotch
Irish"
He used the term as if it might be
a very undesirable condition.
"Mr. Thompsons grandfather was
Welsh" said Mr. Wanser, land his
grandmother was Manx."
1--WE can't expect such good neigh
bors any more like the Thompsons,"
said John and his tone was tinged with
regret.
So the acquaintance between the
two families progressed but slowly.
The new neighbor busted himself about
his premises and there was no doubt
that he meant to keep the grounds in
the best condition.
The air was too chilly yet to make
the porches attractive and Mrs. Martin,
who evidently was delicate, remained
indoors
The new neighbors had been in
their home about ten days when John
Wanser was stopped on mis- way home
by the little man.
"How are your" inquired the latter
"Glad to know you. I'm your new
neiphbor-Martin is my name
.yohn Wanser shook the hand that
was offered him.
~ am quite WELL" he said
"Tayen't had much time to get &C