The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-05-11

the ears of the multitude in the land he left
been formed in Britain, and they had
large purchases of the soil in Western
New York. Some of these had had
agents in the country, who, after selling
portions of the property on credit, had
either Quilted or died, while other compa-
mics had never appointed their local agents.
Greig took with him such introductions
from New York as TO obtain all the agen-
cies in his own person. This was profit
able employment, and fraught with many
uterior advantages. On his return he
hunted up the securities for lands sold by
previous agents, made further surveys, al
lotments, and sales, and was soon on the
high road of wealth. Land agents in a
new country, by their knowledge of the
localities, and having none on the spot to
control them, can make immense fortunes.
They do it in this way: First, fairly sell
out the land where the agents imagine
town will lNspring mp, to bona fde purchas-
ers, on the fixed terms; then to re. purchase
the same land, paying premium on the
first purchase-go on and lay out the
town lots, build mill, school house &c. !;
aud in this way they soon turn five hun
dred into five thousand pounds. The
shepherd boy did so, and Greigsville
sprang up apace, making its founder rich
capitalist, Occasionally he made remittan.
ces of money to the British proprietors,
but in the ever changing events of the
world, most Of the old proprietors had died,
leaving their estates to more proAigate
and careless hands. ''.r.
At length Mr.. Greig was invited to
London to bring with him balance sheet
of all the agency accounts, and whatever
money he could collect, for money was
much wanted by tho free.living sons of
more prudent fathers. To comply with
this request in its tru, spirit required con-
siderable time; for largo sums of money
were not to be collected at once Of rural
population, struggling to subdue the soil
in new country. The agent, however,
applied himself to carry the order into ef-
fact as boon as might be. In the mean
time the young proprietors, not aware of
the difficulties in the way of their agent,
sent special messenger to New York,
with full power to negotiate final settle
ment with the agent, if thereby given
sum of money could be realized. 1t was
curious coincidence that John Greig, on
his start to Europe, and the company's
messenger, landing in America, met to
gether on the quay at New York. The
messenger made known his errand and
his powers; and, although the nominal
securities in the agents hands amounted
to nearlya million, yet, for ready money
the messenger offered to accept half the
amount, and give full discharge TO the
agent. 1 suppose this agent looked upon
these landed securities pretty much in
the same light as did the eccentric Sidney
Smith upon Pennsylvania bonds, in the
time of reputation, as it was called; and
it was difficult to say which was mcst
correct in his opinion-they both reasoned
like silly children, and acted accordingly.
On the contrary, John Greig we'll knew
that the million of pounds with seven per
cent interest, would be realized to the
last penny, as certainly as if he held
certificate of deposite for that amount
from the Bank Of England. He according
ly stepped into three or four of the largest
banks in New York, where his credit stood
high-raised the money requircd-took his
discharge-and thus, by half-an hours la
Dor, put half million of dollars into his
pocket This was coming money by
wholesale; and, since he was quite pre-
pared for his journey, he thought he wou Id
treat himself and his good fortune to a
visit to his friends in Europe.
He returned. After tramping over his
native highlands, and mocking the birds
by rustic reeds. as he had often done in
his boyhood, he placed all his relatives,
even to the remotest cousin, above want;
and then made the tour of the cor tincnt
of Europe. BY this inc, Louis PHILIPPE
was King cf the French, and in the acmo
of his legal glory. On the shepherd boys
sending up his card to the royal presence
as "John Greig, late of Canandagua
America" the recollectons of early scenes,
rushed wildly upon the mind of the mons
arch; and, laying aside his royal state, he
went quickly to the door, throw it open,
and expanded his arms, fervently clasped
John Greig to his bosom.
1t was whole month before our Scot
tish shepherd boy could tear himself from
the urgent cordially Of his old friend now
wearing the proudest crown in Europe.
John must sit by his sido at dinner, play |
at chess and cribbage with him in his IL
brary and ride by his side in sports such
as they practiced thirty-fvc years previous
ly in the forests of the new world. When
he left tho court of st. Cloud, it was, as
John Greig afterwards said, like tearing
himself from the homo OF his youth, aud
the embrace Of father This circumstance
should be remembered as highly credita-
bly, to the social virtues Of the once great,
but now fallen monarch.
On Mr.. Greigs return to America, he
erected spler did mansion-house, or rather
castle, on the rising ground north Of Can
andaguia, after a model he brought with
him from Europe. to this place he re-
tired, indulgins bis fine taste in the dec
Grafton of the grounds, where he still re-
poses upon his wealth, his honors, and his
hair-couch-pilosophicaly sliding down
the hill Of life, rewarded by tho respect
and esteem Of all who know him. His
courtyard is Of an oval form, with foun-
tain Of pure water gushing up in the centre;