Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-09-27
THE RIGHT OF WAY.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

Mr.. Edward Bolton had purchased
himself farm, and taken possession
thereof. Once while examining the
premises, before dec iding to buy, he had
observed light wagon moving along on
the extreme south edge of the trac. Of
land included in the farm, but it had oc-
casioned no remark. Ii was late in the
afternoon when he arrived with his family
at their new home. On the morning
that followed while Mr.. Bolton stood
conversing with farm hand, who had
been on the place under the former own
er, he observed the same vehicle passing
across the portion of his land referred 10.
Whose wagon is that, Benz he asked,
in the tone of man who felt that anoth-
er had trespassed upon his rights.
1T is Mr.. Halpin's' was the reply.
'Halpin, who owns the next farm?'
Yes, sir
'He takes liberty with my premises
that would not like TO take with his,
said Mr.. Bolton, who was annoyed by
the circumstances.
'And there he is himself, as | live!
riding along over my ground as coolIy as
if it belonged to him. Verify some
men have the impudence of old Nick
himself
They always go by that road,' replied
Ben. AT least it has been so ever since
have worked on the farm. | think |
once heard Mr.. Jenkins, from whom you
bought, tell somebody that Mr.. Halpin's
farm had the right of way across this
one.'
Right of way across my farm!' ex.
claimed Mr.. Bottom, with strongly mark.
ed surprise. Wen see about ,hat!-
Come go with me. | wan, to take look
at that part of my forty acres
And Mr.. Bolton strobe off, accom- pa
MED by Ben, to take raore particular
note of the extreme south edge of this
beautiful tract Of land. The shape of
this tract Of land was somewhat in the
form of a triangle. with the apex at the
southern boundary, near the verge OF
which ran stream of water.
Beyond this stream was narrow strip
OF ground, some thirty feet wide, boun-
ded by the fence enclosing the land be-
longing TO another owner. It's length
was not more than two hundred feet
II was along this stripe of ground that
Mr.. Bolton had observed the wagon of
Mr.. Halpin pass. The gate opened up
on his premises was at one end, and now
for the first time he discovered that there
was gate at the other end, opening from
his farm to that of Mr.. Halpin-while
the ground was cut up with numerous
wheel. tracks.
Upon my word this is all very ine,'
said Mr.. Bolton.
The right Of way across my farm!--
Wen see about that! Ben you get four
good rails and put them firmly into the
gateposts on Mr.. Halpin's side. Throw
the gate over in the 6eld.'
Ben looked confounded at this order.
DO you understand met said Mr..
Bolton.
Yes, sir. But-,'
But WHAT
There's no other way for Mr.. Hal
pins folks to get into the public road
That's none Of my business. They
have no right to make public highway
Of my premises. You heard what !
said!'
Yes, SIR
Then let it be done.'
'Obey order if you break owners,
mu,tered Ben, as Mr.. Bolton turned and
marched away with long hasty strides,
::nnaa. if there isn't nice tea party some
.here about these diggings before to-
| morrow morning. my 2ame amt Ben
Johnson
Before reaching his house, Mr.. Boil
tons excitement cooled triHe, and il
came into his mind that possibly he
might have acted little hasty. But the
order has been given to cut of the righl
Of way, and he was no man to make
back tracks in anything.
DO you see that Edwardl' said Mrs
Bolton, as her husband entered the house
pointing to table on which stood Z
pitcher Of sweet cream, and two pounds