Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-12-14

canvassed. 1t was unanimously decided
not 10 make the proposed purchase.
When this decision reached the land
holder. he was considerably disappointed
He wanted money badly. and would
have jumped at two thousand dollars for
the five acre LOT, if satisfied that il would
bring no more. But. when the city came
forward a purchaser. his cupidty was
subjected to a very strong temptation -
lie believed that he could get five thou
sand dollars as easily as two; and quiet
ed his conscience by the salvo-.An ar
ticle is always worth what it will bring ;
a week or two went bv. and Smith was
about calling upon one Of the members Of
the Council 10 say. that if the city really
wanted the lot he would sell at their price
leaving i, with the Council 10 act Justly
and generously, when friend said TO
him
Il hear that the council had the subject
Of a public square under consideration
again this morning.
Indeed Smith was vislhly excited.
though he tried 10 appear calm
Yes: and | also hear that they have de-
cided 10 paw the ex,ravagant price YOU
asked for lot Of ground at the north
end Of the ctv'
a thousand dollars an acre!'
Yes
Its real value, and not cent more,
said Smith
People din,ar about that. However,
you are lucky the friend replied. The
city IS able 70 pay
So | think. And | mean they shall
paw
Before the committee 70 whom the mat
Ter was given in charge had time 10 call
upon Smith. and close with him for the
lot, that gentleman had concluded in his
own mind that il would be Just as easy 10
get twelve hundred dollars an acre as a
thousand. 1t was plain that the Council
were bent upon having the ground. and
would pay round sum for it, 1t was
Just the spot for public square: and the
city must become the owner. So. when
he was called upon by the gentlemen, and
thev said 10 him
We are authorized 10 paw YOU your
price. he promptly answered.
The offer is no longer open You de-
cIined il when it was made Ny price
Tor that property IS now twelve hundred
dollars an acre.
!
was Of no avail Smith believed that he
could get six thousand dollars for the
ground easily as five thousand. The
civ must have the lot and would paw al
most any price
4 hardly think il right. Mr. Smith.
said one Of his visitors. for YOU to take
such an advantage. This square is tor
the public good.
let the public paw them was The IN
he~itating answer. The public is able
enough.
Tine location Of this park at the north
end Of the city viii greatly improve the
value ct your other property
This Smith understood very we'll Bu,
he replied
I'm not so sure Of that. have some
very strong doubts on the subject. lis
my opinion. that the building | contem-
plated erecting will be far more 10 my ad
vantage Be that as It may, however i
am decided in selling for nothing less
than six thousand dollars
w e are only authorized 10 paw five
hou-and.' replied the committee. If
YOU agree 10 take that sum, we viii close
the bargain on the spot
Five thousand dollars was large sum
Of money. and Smith felt strongly tempt
ed 10 close N with the liberal offer. But.
six thousand loomed up before his imag
nation. still more temptinglv
Il can get it, said he to himself: .an 4
the property is worth what i, will Bring
SO ne positively declined TO sell il at a
thousand dollars per acre
AT twelve hundred YOU will sell! re-
Il g I'll,
were about retiring.
Yes. | viii take twelve hundred the
acre That IS the lowest rate. and | am
not anxious even at that price. ! can do
quite we'll by keeping il in my own pos
session. But. as you seem so bent on
having il. | viii not stand in YOUR way
When will the Council NEE, again.
Not until next week
.Nerv well. If they then accept nv
offar all VIII be rpht Ru, understand
me: if they do not accept, the offer no
longer remains open. 1t lis matter Of no
moment TO me which way the thing goes
II was a matter of moment 10 Smith
for all this asser;ion-a matter of verv
great moment. He had several thousand
dollars 10 pay in the course of the next
few months on land purchases. and no
way 10 meet the payments except by
mortgages. or sales of property: and. il
may naturally be concluded. that he suf
fered considerable uneasiness during the
time which passed until the next meeting
OF the Council.
OF course the srasping disposition
shown by Smith. became the town talk:
and people said good many hard things
of him. Little. however. did he care. SO
that he secured six thousand dollars for z
10, not worth more than two thousand.
Among other residents and property
holders in the town. was simple minded
true hearted, homes, man. named Jones
His father had LETT him a large farm, a
eood'v portion of which. in process OF
time. came 10 be included in the limits of
the new city. and he found a much more
profitable employment in selling building
lots than in ,liling the soil. The proper
" of Mr.. Jones lay a; the West side OF