Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-04
From the Ne,c York Times.
Diamond cut Diamond.


We have recently come into possession of
facts in regard to a very peculiar Real Estate
transaction in this City, the details of which
are interesting as Illustrative of character, as
we'll as ofthe method of doing business which
IS considered sharp by certain class of busi-
ness men.
Some time since, a gentleman, whom we
will call Mr.. A, purchased apiece ofground
IN Murray-street, on which was an old build
ing, which he proceeded to tear down, intend.
ing to erect IN its place building more suit
able for the transaction Of bis business
About the same time, anoter gentleman
i.--hem re shall call MI. B., purchased the
manner to take down the old building stand
ing upon it, sosthat the work Of demolition
proceeded upon both at the same time
| After this had been concluded, Mr.. A., being
ready to build himself, and supposing, quite
naturally, that his neighbor would prefer
building at the same time, paid him visit
in relation to the matter, when he was boor-
ishly informed by Mr.. B. that he should
build when he pleased Of course, as Mr..
A. could not gainsay his right in this respect
the only method left for him was to go on
by himself. This he accordingly did. and
had progressed SO far as to have his building
covered in when he was surprised one day
by visit from his irate neiglbor. Sir,
says Mr.. B.. you are an inch on my ground !
Mr.. A. rejoined that it must be mistake.
}, No, Sir, it is no mistake-you are an inch
on nv ground sWell,' returned Mr.. A.,
I'll r = I
and it is altogether unntentional; but am
willing to pay you whatever you say the
land is worth I want no pay, Sir ans
3 wered Mr. B. l want my land ? Sir says
( Mr.. A., | see it is hopeless to try to COM
\ promise this matter with you but will give
you double whatever you say the land is
worth, rather than take down my WALL Il
:, want no money! want my land persisted
n the stubborn Mr.. B. Argument and entreaty
were alike unavailing. and Mr.. A. according
= ly proceeded to take down and rebuild III:
Y wall. He was permitted to finish his build
ing now without further interruption.
+. Shortly afterward Mr.. B. concluded t.
# build on his lot, and masons and carpenter
ofI were set at work to accomplish the object
a. The work progressed fnely,-story afte
story went up as if my magic: and our frien'
Ia Mr.. B. watched the operation day by da,
a with increasing interest in confident anticipa
m ton of being able to occupy the premise
a by a certain period. At length the buildin,
d was entirely finished from foundation t
ar cap-stone-the workman had departed wit
10 their tqols-the rubbish had been .cleare
away-and Mr. Is. was coinpIacently con
10 congratulating himself on its successful &C
As complishment, when he was astonished b
al visit from his neighbor Mr.. A. Sir sal
70 he, am sorry to inform you that you ar
an inch on my ground ? Pooh nonsense
~ returned Mr.. B. It's no nonsense at al
nd said Mr.. A.; | tell YOU you are an inch {
he my ground Why how can that be- blu
no. tered Mr.. B., when have oniy built up
,re your wall 2 'Ah, that's it 7 in the drye
ID possible manner answered Mr.. A. o.
= friend Mr.. B. was somewhat dumbfounde
nd Send for surveyor, Sir,' and we'll s
nd about this
it The surveyor was accordingly sent fc
lite who, after careful measurement of the +
70 spective premises, reported to the crest-fi
ad len Mr. B. that it was indeed true-he W
occupying an inch more land than he W
are entitled to. A proposition to buy that in
coming, it must be confessed, with b
hn. grace from him-was now advanced by NJ
B. mo Sir returned Mr.. A., | shi
EN- not sell you cannot offer me money enouI
cb- to buy that inch of land. Take down 20
,e.' wall, Sir-down withit, to the foundation
to I want my landv Mr.. B. came to
ley conclusion that the game was decided
and against him, and yielded with the best gr;
he could The wall was taken down a
eht re-erected and SO careful was our particu
friend this time not to trespas, that he br
not an inch short of where he had right
, to go. It is perhaps unnecessary to expl
With to the reader that Mr.. A. had done
and same thing In the hrst instance.