Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-09-20
Diamond Cut Diamond.

We have recently come into possession Of fact
in regard to a very peculiar Real Estate transac
tion in this city the details Of which are interest
ing as illustrative of character, as well as of III
meihcd of doing business which is considered shar
by certain class of business men.
Some time since, 4 gentleman, whom we viii
call Mr.. A., purchased piece OF ground in Muir
ray street, on which was an old building, which
he proceeded to tear down intending 10 erect in II
place building more suitable for the transaction
of his business. About the same time, anothe
gentleman, whom we shall call MIR. b., purchased
the adjoining lot, and proceeded in the same man
ner To take down the old Building standing upor
it, SO that the work OF demolition proceeded upor
both at the same time. After this had been Gun
cluded, Mr.. A., being ready to build himself, aDc
supposing. quite naturally, that his neighbor would
prefer building at the same time, paid him vlsl
in relation to the matter. when he was boorishly
informed by Mr.. b. that he should 'bu!d when
he pleased" Ofcourse, as Mr.. A. could not gain
say his right in This respect, the only ethod left
for him was to go on by himself. This he accord.
ingly did, aud had progressed so far as to have
his building covered in." when he was surprised
one day by visit from his rrate neghbor Sir
says Mr.. b., "you are an inch on my groundp'-
Mr.. A. rejoined that he thought it must be mis-
take. 'No sir. it is no mislake-you are anincf
on my ground" SWELL" returned Mr.. A., cal
1 can say is, if it is So, am very sorry. and it is
altogether uninientional I; but am willing TO pay
fou whatever yun say the land is worth" 81
want no pay, sir" answered Mr.. B. ~ want my
land!' Sir" says Mr. A, Il see it is hopeless
to try to compromise this matter with you, but
will give you double whatever you say the land
is worth rather than take down my wall" 81
want no money! want my land" persisted the
stubborn Mr. B. Argument and entreaty were
alike unavailing. and Mr.. A. accordingly proceed,
ed to take down and rebuild his wall. He was
permitted to finish his building now without fur,
ther interruption.
Shortly afterwards Mr. =. Gohclnded to build
on his lot. and masous and carpenters were set al
work to accomplish the object The work pro-
gressed finely story after story went up as II by
magic. and our friend Mr.. b. watched interpretations
day by day with increasing interest, in confident
anticipation of being able to occupy the premises
by a certain period. At length The building was
entirely finished. from foundation to cap stune--
the workmen had departed with their t0ols-the
rubbish had been cleared away-and Mr. b. was
complacently congra,ulating himselfon its success
! ful accomplishment when he was astonished by a
visit from his neighbor, Mr.. A. "Sir," said he
81 am sorry to inform you that you are an inch on
my gro,ndw "Pooh! nonsense! !" returned Mr.
B. "lts no nonsense at all, ," said Mr.. A; Il tell
you you are an incho my ground" "Why how
can that be-" clustered Mr.. b.. "wheu have on
ly built up to your wal?" "Ah, that's !" in
the dryesl possible manner. answered Mr.. A
Our friend Mr.. B. was somewhat dumbfounded,
"Send for surveyor, sir" at length he exploded
land we'll see about this" The surveyor was
accordingly sent for, who, after careful meas
urement of the respective premises, reported 10 the
crest-laen Mr.. B. that it was indeed true-he
was occupying an inch more land than he was en-
titled to. A proposition to buy that inci-coming
it must be confessed with bad grace from him
was now advanced by Mr.. b. .'No. sir" re-
turned Mr.. A., II shall not sell you carut offer
me money enough TO buy that inch of land. Take
down your wall, sir-down with it. to the founda-
tions; Il want my land p" Mr.. B. came to the
conclusion that the game was decidedly against
him. and yielded with the best grace he could
The wal was taken down and re-erected and Sc
careful was our very particular friend this time
not to trespass, that he built an inch short o
where he had right to 60. 1t is perhaps unne-
cessary to explain to the reader that MIR. A. had
done the same thing in the first inslance.-.N Y
Times