Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-12-14
no1ssDnS Am @itss
From Arthur's Home Gazstte !.
NTH and Jones.
THE TOWN LOT.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.


fairs of certain growing town IN the
West, resolved. in grave dellberation as
sembled, to purchase fve-acre lot at the
north end Of the cty-recently lncorpo-
rated-and have il improved for park
or public square Now, il also happened
that all the saleable ground lying north Of
the CITY. was owned by man named
Smth-a shrcwd, wide awake individual,
whose motto was every man tor himself,
with an occasional addition about GER
tain gentleman in black taking the hind
most
Smith, it may be mentioned. was Sc
crety at the bottom OF this scheme ior a
public square. and bad himself suggested
the matter 10 an influential member OF the
Council; not that he was moved by what
IS denoniinated pubic spirlt-no; In"
spring of action in the case was merely
"private spirit, or regard tor ms own
good If the Council decided upon a
public square. he was the man from whom
the ground would have TO be bought; and
he was the man who could get his own
price therefor.
As we have said the park was decided
upon. and committee Of two appointed
whose business IL was to see Smith, and
arrange with him for the purchase OF a
suitable lot of ground In due form fhe
committee called upon the landho!der
who was fully prepared for the interview
y ou are the owner of those lots at the
north endl' said the spokesman OF the
committee.
Il am replied Smith. with becoming
gravity.
.NIll YOU sell portion OF ground, say
five acres. to the citvt
For wha, purpose,' Smith knew very
we'll for what purpose the land was want
ed
I'VE have decided 10 Sc, apart five
acres Of ground and improve II as kind
OF park. or public promenade.
.iiav. YOU. indeed! " ell. like that,
sad Snilh. vl.h arimaiIon. 1T SHOWS the
ri.h, kind of public spirit
.We have. moreover decided that the
best location will be al the north end of
the town.
DECIDEDLY my own opinion, returned
smith
.Wil YOU sell Us the required acres?'
asked one ot the CouncIlmen.
.ihat will depend somewhat upon
where YOU wish 10 locate the park
The particular location was named.
The very spot. replied Smith prompt
". .upopwhich | have decided to erect
tour rows OF dwellings
But it is too far out for that was nat
uraIv objected
20 no MOI rod. The city is rapid
!v growing in that direction. have only
10 nat UP the dwellings referred to. and
dozens will be anxious 10 purchase lots.
and build all around them.
Won't the ground 10 the left of tia; you
speak Of answer as WELL!
Blu; the committee replied in the mega
tive. The lot they had mentioned was
the one decided upon the most suit
ed for the purpose. and they were not
prepared 10 think Of any other location
All this Smith understood very we'll
lie was not oalv willing but anxious for
the city 10 purchase The lot they we're ne
co,iating for All he wanted was 10 get
good round price for the same-sav four
or five times the real value. So he feigned
Indifference. and threw difficulties in the
way.
few wears previous to this time. Smith
had purchased considerable tract Of
land al the north Of the then llourishng
village. at fty dollars an acre. Its pres
ent value was about three hundred dol
lars acre
After a good deal Of talk on both sides.
Smith finally agreed to sell the particular
lot pitched upon. The next thing was to
arrange as 20 price
~, what do you hold this ground per
acrel'
1t was some time before Smith answer
ed this question His ewes were cast up
on the floor. and earnestly did he enter in
10 debate viii, hi,nse Il % tho vain- hr-
should place upon the lot. At first he
thought of five hundred dollars per acre
But, his cupditv soon caused him TO ad-
vance on that sum, although month be-
fore, he would have caught AZ such an Of
fer. Then he advanced to SIX 10 seven.
and TO eight hundred And still he felt
undecided.
Il can get nv own price, said he 10
himself The city has 10 pay. and
might just as we'll sc, large sum cs
small one
For what price will you sell!' The
question was repeated.
Il must have good price
we are willing TO pay what IS fair and
right.
.Of course No doubt you have fixed
a limit 10 which YOU will 60.
Not exactly that said one of the gen
tlemen
Are YOU prepared TO make an offer''
we are prepared 10 hear your price.
and TO make report thereon was re-
Piled
That's a very valuable 10; OF ground,
said Smith.
Name your price, returned one of the
committee men. little impatien,iy.
Thus brought up to the point. Smith.
after thinking hurriedly for a few moments
said
'One thousand dollars an acre.
Both the men shook their heads in
very positive way Smith said that was
the lowest he would take; and SO the con-
ference ended.
At the next meeting of the City Coun.