The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-04-03
CASE next DOOR
Caugh: in Trap, But She Found
Out All About the Mysterious
Nsighbor.
BY GRACE kERRIoAN.

cottage with an acre OF ground around
1t. The owner had died just as the
cottage was ready for occupancy, and
1t had stood tenantless for more than
yenr. There were all sorts of sto-
ries as to why. as the agent who had
it in charge lived in another town.
but at length there came young man
who announced himself as Mr.. Paul
Burton, and his errand &c take a years
lease.
The young man met Mr. and Mrs
Needham, and he might have met their
daughter Grace at the same time had
she been home that day. Nothing was
said as to the young mans occupation
or family. and the mystery was soon
deeper than ever
No mother, sister OF housekeeper
come with him.
He did not engage board anywhere.
He DID not engage woman to come
in and do the cooking and other work.
He did not seek to make acQuaint-
ances.
He evidently had no trade or profess
sion.
And when the Needham's and others
had sized that all up and wondered
and wondered there was something
else. At the rear Of the deep lot he
built small house. 1t was hardly
larger than an ordinary bedroom. II
there had been any children it would
hava boap prnpoupoa1 q plovb ousa
There was no dog, and SO 1t could not
be dog-house.
A week after the house had been
finished, and while the neighbors were
holding their breath. an express wagon
drove up and delivered goose In a
crate. 1t was gander-a pure white
gander, and those who got close look
said it was an old patriarch who was
living out the last half of his century.
"A goose?" queried Mrs. Needham.
why, it's months and months to
Thanksgiving"
"He may be a vivisectionist and is
going to carve her up alive" re-
marked Mr.. Needham.
lie SOl q SOOot lOl d
sneered Grace. That's what might be
looked for in a young man of his
parts!"
The old goose was taken out to the
goose-house and provided with excel
sior to lie on. dishes to eat and drink
from, and young Mr.. Burton visited
him half dozen times a day to ask
about his health. 1t was said that he
even got up twice night to go out
there and speak word or two OF
cheer to his pet.
THAT young man Is OF In his top
story!" said some.
THE law ought to step int" said
others.
If he isn't making counterfeit
money then why all this secrecy"
asked the wise ones with a wink.
No letters came for Mr.. Burton. He
answered no idle questions of the
tradesmen. A minister called to invite
him to attend church, but his ring was
ignored. The mystery had lasted for
three months when Miss Grace Need
ham threw down her book one even
ing and turned to her father with:
81 declare that If l were you
wouldn't stand it another day."
STAND what?"
you know what mean. / wouldn't
stand this case next door. I'd have
talk with Mr.. Burton and ask him
what he means by such conduct"
"As how?"
"As living alone"
That's his business. l choose to
live as live and that Is my business"
But he has to cook for himself"
"Yes?"
And make his bed, and sweep and
dust"
"Yes?"
"And he has an old gander for COM
pany!"
But we have an old cat!"
"But-but you won't do anything
about it?"
Not a thing!"
Then will He's just got to ex-
pam Himocil VI II huOW lut Tcd5Ou
why!"
Spoken like Nick Carter" replied
the father with laugh, and the sub
ject was dropped.
The young boys Of the village had
heard all about the gander. and the
time came when they thought it would
be a good joke to climb the alley fence
and bear the veteran away. One night
they tried It, but the gander's protests
called Mr.. Burton out of bed and to
the rescue. He could have put lock
on the door next day, but he didn't.
He bought steel trap without teeth
and set it where boy might put his
foot in 1t.
Miss Grace Needham was very much
in earnest In her intentions to solve
the next door mystery but how was
she to go at 1t? She had puzzled for a
week, when one day she saw the
young man leave the house with
market basket on his arm. He was
going to buy provisions, and would be
gone an hour. Mrs. Needham was off
to neighbours, so there was no one
around to say nay. AS beginning,
the goose house was to be visited
There was the key. perhaps to the
whole mystery. There was only a
fence to climb and the girl was
there.
The gander could be seen through
the halfonan door os he luxuriantIv "a
clined on his divan Of excelsior, and
his open eyes and outst1etched neck
proved that he was not asleep. Miss
Grace must step inside, however. to