Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-27
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
BY EMILE GABORIAU.
THE HOUSE WITH A CURSE

r Emile .Gsboriau,, 1s35.1s73. 2, French
5e stos IS fspsc S Te knTx SI for his
story IL delightful for ITS humorl
There was once a viscount who was
so rich that he didn't want any more
money. He had an uncle who was a
rniser. and when this uncle died he left
his nephew another fortune, including
profitable apartment house, with q
large income annually.
The viscount always thought his
uncle was much too harsh and selfish.
He decided. therefore, that the tenants
living in the apartment house were
being charged far too much for their
rents. Il seemed 10 the viscount. since
he had so much money already, that 1t
really would be helpful and kind thing
x he should reduce the rents Of his
tenants
So the viscount sent for his repre-
sentative, who came al once 10 the new
owner Of the property and bowed very
low 70 him.
Bernard" said the viscount. II want
you TO go Immediately and notify all
the tenants that I am reducing their
rents by one-third.
Poor Bernard thought he had not
heard Alright. Reduce? Surely his new
master had made slip Of the tongue
third
Monsieur means" said Bernard
hunb.y, TO raise the rents. Of course
No. indeed said the viScount. II
mean what ] say. Lower the rents by
one-th!rd"
Bernard vas bew.ldered now-he did
not Know what 10 make Of j.. To lower
rents was uuheard Of. Il had never
happened before. Owners did not do
such things
IT IS without precedent" said Rer-
narc, but with all due respect Mon
s!eur should think twice before he re-
cuces the rents. What will the ten
ants think? What will neighbors say
Il insist that / be opeyed when /
give al order." said the Vicount Sc
yere!y. 60 at oLce--red,lce the rents"
Bernard Eas as one Intoxicated He
snaYeo un@tead.i% On his feet. IL was
~ though tie sun had fallen from the
LeaFeh@--fcGuce The reutai Bernard
could nD, uncergtand Il.
Lover tAe yeAt&i" Bernard NUT
tered ~ himself. II the tenants had
complained but 10. they are all salts
Gec. They would even pay more. An,
II liz uncle kuew y! THIS he would rise
from TIE grave ~ protest. This young
man VII! have bad rnd, can see
thai He Is insane -~!nad.n1 one can
kE4S y s&2s az may VIZ S4fSl
80 Bernard came home 70 his wife
ard daughter and tDlc them how the
new master L&d gone out If his head
Ee DJlc them tliat he had been told u
lower the rents. The two women burst
lr,o loud laughter it vas good Joke,
EUt Bernard lost his temper and told
them y Wa quite true.
A. last Nine Bernard decided u
70 anc ask me master herself! she
II u ~
n..stake, cy had In}EUnccIHtcGd Ut
something u vas impossible that tnn
Greer should be 20 lDacr The rents =
must be ~ raise them the UeW muster
hac meant EUt Nine Bernard Wss
Uold ezAntly the sane ,E!ng she had
10 N!lege i whether sne wanted ~ Or
not. The command Was ~ lower the
rents oile-thifc,
bernard declced ~ oDey. The next
morning hE pat m MS h',st frohk coat
snd made the rounds ~ teii every one
the LeUs.
Ten MINUTES later tie apartment
house vas ia ST. upTyaf. FOR ~ years
st5f1e II The people had IFed IN tbe
safne rGyf tIYet!seF wltHG't speaking.
and s.pw tsry talked eagerly.
"Jaye goa hsatG? isBt IT, strange"
"Il8 ubst eK3faprcin4Fy' j neYt!
head anything IKE -"
'IfgNef TIC !Fi4lhf lbaty ~ t94 ~
true"
II mast h. Z tn.afake Who WbJid
d. k1ct ID tiiHgf'
Dtsplte Demands pfgteEtat!ons
eyet HLeu Ma13auie EflAhTG GbtaHlef
NE gYder IN Wfjtlng from the YjScoun
"A here were stili coijLts and muttkfiLEk
E0fee eyeA wrote ~ tiIe owner " hl
lin that pis representative Wsk out q
HE mind b,lt the v1scGunt confirmed
tne orcer ar4G satisfied every ore ttlat ]
VEG INDEED trle. The seti's were low
yeG
Then every one begaD " sEk Why
Yes Why AsG lhe rents been lDWeted
'"iheEe must IT. serious reasons ~
tlls" Gne n.aa said n man u hl
Intelligence would not lG~eT his rent
sud drpyige himself - revenue II titsr
setf not some grave cailDe "
me general opinion fast beeEins
"J i4ere Ii something beiliJld aiI this
some ElnisteI Jeabpn unknown " u&t"
But what could H. bs1 They rscke'
Their brains perhaps there WaE Eota
hidden crime. and Ibis Was an act -
semafss, % DsEAsgs 1As A2Hss W