Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-06

"Can't see the number on these
DOORS" grumbled Warren, as he scan
ned the houses on both sides of the
quiet, dimlylit Bronx street. Must
be in that row on the next block"
"Will we go in?" asked Helen eag-
erly. for looking over a mortage" was
for her a new and interesting expert
ence.
'If it looks like good loan. Can't
tell much from the outside. Here we
are," pausing before small three
story house.
There was light in an upper win
dow, and a faint hall light shone
through the diamond-paned glass
around the old-fashioned door.
"Why it's Frame" exclaimed Helen.
81 "All these old houses along here
are frame. But it's good deep lot
12O feet. House seems we'll kept up
three thousand loan. Let's have a
look inside"
As Warren went UP the steps and
rang the bell, Helen tried to picture
the person who she thought might
open the door. Since Warren was
making this loan for a client through
a mortgage company they knew moth
ing of the owner except that the name
was Tollman.
any one who was so unfortunate as
to have to mortgage their home. To
her this seemed the last resort OF
some hopeless indebtedness. She had
visions of the door being opened by
a sad-faced woman, probably widow
with a couple of children clinging to
her skirt.
There was a sound of steps inside
and the door opened 1t was wo-
M
no children. Instead she was a stout
wholesome and very prosperous look
ing German woman.
Warren stated briefly that he
wanted to look over the house, in
view of taking the mortgage.
A Surprise
Certainly, sir. Come right in. just
wait moment" as they entered the
hall. "and I'll light the gas in the par
lor."
To Helen's surprise there was nc
evidence of poverty or restitution
The "parlor" was furnished with very
highly polished. imitation mahogany
furniture, heavily upholstered in rose
damask.
There was an upright piano, a num-
Der of pictures in heavy gilt frames,
and a bright fiowered Smyrna rug
The ceilings had been newly done over
Powered and gilt design.
Everything looks well kept up"
commented Warren, with q quick ap-
praising glance about. May l see
the back outlook? The diagram show
ed this to be a good, deep 1ot.'s
"Oh, yes sir" leading them through
the back parlor and drawing aside the
stiff lace curtain from the window,
this is a 120-foot lot"
"Yes, that's good back yard
peering out into the darkness. II be-
lieve you have twelve rooms here?"
'rYes, sir; IT'S three stories and
basement"
Modern plumbing"
Eyes, sir. I had all new plumbing
put in two years ago. Would you
like to go upstairsr' g.,
"I1i just take look at the bath
Helen. feeling that for her to go
would seem an unnecessary intrusion,
waited in the back parlor while War
rem and Mrs. Tollman went up.
Instead of being distressed at this
inspection Of her home by strangers,
Mrs. Tollman seemd to take 1t quite
as a matter OF course.
what taxes do you pay heref"
asked Warren as they came down.
stairs.
'1n just get my tax receipts, SIR"
and she ran back up the steps.
"Did things look as clean upstairs ?''
whispered Helen.
Eyes; it's an old house, but we'll
kept up. The plumbing's all new
porcelain tub. good sized bathroom.
It's good for three thousand"
Mrs. Tollman came down now and
gave Warren a blue tax receipt.
"Torty-five," he unused glancina
over 1t. This is for half a year,"