Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-17
THE STORY.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
sIIITH AND JONES; OR THE
aa b. TOWN LOT.
ny r. g. ARTHUR.

affairs of certain growing town in the
West, resolved, in. grave deliberation as.
sembled. to purchase fve-acre lot a,
the north end Of the city-recently in
corporated-and have it improved for a
park or public square. Now, it also
happened, that all the saleable ground
lying north Of the city, was owned by a
man named Smith--a shrewd, wide.
awake individual, whose motto was .Ev-
cry man for himself with an occasional
addition about certain gentleman in
black taking 'the hndmost.'
Smith, it may be mentioned, was Sc
cretly at the bottom of this scheme for a
public square, and had himself suggested
the matter TO an influential member of
the Council; not that he was moved by
what is denominated public spirit-no;
the spring Of action in The case was
merely private spirit or regard for
his own good. If the Council decided
upon q 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 deei.
ded upoE. and committee Of two ap-
pointed whose business it was to see
Smith, and arrange with him for the
purchase of suitable lot of ground.-
In due form the committee called upon
the landholder, who was fully prepared
for the interview. ...
You are the owner Of those lots a,
the north end! said the spokesman OF
the committee. .....- ...
i am,' replied Smith, with becoming
gravity.
win you sell n portion of ground,
ray five acres, TO the city!'
For what purpose:' Smith knew very
well for what purpose the land was
wan'ed.
I'VE have decided TO set apart abou,
five acres OF ground, and improve i. as
II kind Of park, or public promenade
Have you, indeed! Well, like that,
said Smith, with animation. III shows
the right kind of public spirit
we have. moreover, decided that The
best location will be at the north end OF
the town ..
Decidedly my own opinion returned
Smith. ..
Will you sell us the required acres?'
asked one of the councimen.
THAT will depend somewhat upon
where You wish to locate the park
The particular location was named.
The very spot said Smith, promptly,
upon which | have decided to erect four
rows of dwellings, ........... ...
But i. is. too far ont for that, was
naturally objected. u..l.. ......
% no. Not rcd. The city is rapid
ly growing in that direction. | have
only TO put up the dwellings referred to,
and dozens will oe anxious TO purchase
lots, and build all around them. Won'l
the ground TO the left Of that you speak
of answer as vel" .~.. .. .-... '.......
But the committee replied in the neg
alive. The lot they had mentioned was
the one decided upon as most suited for
the purpose. and they were not prepared
to think Of any other location.
All this Smith understood very well.
He was not only willing, but anxious for
the city TO purchase the lot they were
negotiating for. All he wanted was to
get good round price for the same
say four or five times the real value
So he feigned indifference, and threw
difficulties in the way. a,
A few years previous to this time,
Smith had purchased a considerable
tract of land at the north of the then
fourishing village, at fifty dollars an acre.
liz. present value was about three hun.
dred dollars an acre. .,a =
After good deal of talk on both sides,
Smith finally agreed to sell the particular
LOT pitched upon. The next thing was
TO arrange as to price. ,ras.ar .t
Al what do you hold this ground per
acre!' ;,.f,s..s. !; a..,.5 'r-
1t was some time before Smith an
swered this question. His eyes were
cas-, upon the floor, and earnestly did he
\ enter into debate with himself as to the
value he should place upon the lot. At
first he thought of five hundred dollars
per acre. But, his cupidity soon caused
him to advance on that sum, although, a
month before, he would have caught at
such an offer. Then he advanced to
six, TO seven, and to eight hundred
And sill he felt undecided.
! can get my own price, said he to
himself. The city has to pay, aud l
nigh. just as well get a large sum as a
small one. ,.l.-..
For what price will you sell!' The
question was repeated.
i must have a good price, eg
We are willing to pay what is fair
and right faa fg ha.
of course. No doub, you have fixed
a limit to which you will co. iws
Not exactly that said one of the
genuemen. gltu aai 0H tsa9g .a ID
'Are you. prepared to make ali oher'
I'VE are prepared to hear your price,
and to make report thereon,' was re-
piled. a sof
That's very valuable lot Of ground,
said Smith,, VA ft..E..-t.fr
Name your price, returned one Of
,23la5aBc9 3la G Ha