The House on J Street: A Tenant’s Defiance

About a month ago, Milton R. Spinning bought a house up on J Street, which he contemplated fitting up for a residence for himself. He allowed it to remain vacant, however, with no sign as to his intentions being brought out on the premises. Some time ago, Doctor C. H. Spinning, Milton R.’s brother, without any intimation of the fact from the latter, said to one Steinbach, a real estate man: 'My brother has bought a house up on the hill, which is vacant and making no returns. If you run across a tenant for it, just put him in there.' On Saturday, Steinbach went into the house owner's office and, placing some money on the counter, said: 'Here is the month's rent.' Mr. Spinning exclaimed in surprise that he did not want a tenant; that he did not authorize the renting of the house; that he did not know, and never had seen the agent before. But the agent said he had rented the house and had given a receipt to the tenant for the month's rent. 'But I want to occupy the house myself. I bought it for that purpose,' exclaimed Mr. Spinning. The tenant, who was found, was told the situation, and another house was shown him for less rent, but he was bent on occupying the house he had rented; said he would have it in spite of warnings or pleadings, and this morning he did so. Mr. Spinning now has K. W. Taylor, Esq., employed in looking up such laws as may furnish him possession of his house. In the meantime, he has to stand off and look on at another enjoying the house he had purchased as his own habitation.