Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-06
0Nortestrr 0ailp Spp.
MY WESTERN ESTATE

nave just returned from visit to nv
Western estate.
How DO happen to have an estate in the
West! The question is a reasonable one, and
proceed to answer it.
About year ago, my good aunt Deborah
bless her generous soul being under the ne
cessity of leaving the world, bequeathed me in
her will the sum of five hundred dollars
Let that serve as a nest-egg," recommended
one of my prudent friends "your salary is
quite sufficient to support you. There is no
reason why this should not be invested, so that
by the time you have occasion to usei instead
OF paltry five hundred, you will have twice
or thrice the sum-"
This advice seemed to me sensible. I had
no present use for the money, and there was
something eXhilarating in the idea of being a
capitalist, with money to invest
My friends were very kind in the matter.
No less than twenty-five, at the smallest calcu-
lation, offered to take charge OF my money for
me, and pay legal interest. But, after all, at
SIX per cent, or even eight some years must
elapse before my money would even double
| accordingly thanked my friends for their
considerate kindness, but told them | had
other views-that | regretted exceedingly not
being able to avail myself of their generous
proposals, as, under other circumstances. |
should have done When pressed upon the
IL
silence, for the very good reason that they
were not yet defined in my mind | was
waiting like Micawber, for Something to
turn up"
Something did turn up.
one morning, on entering my place of bust
ness, found waiting for me slick parsonage.
with a sharp, restless eye.
'.Mr. Flnt!" he inquired.
That is my name"
"And mine is Lynx. am happy to make
your acquaintance, sir, and he grasped nv
hand with unexpected fervor
''Thank you" | replied, in some little sur
prise at this cordially from a stranger
After few preliminary remarks about the
weather, which, if l remember rightly, were
not particularly original, Mr. Lynx remarked,
am told Mr.. Flint, that you have some money
which you are very DESTROYS of investing"
but a small amount" | answered modestly
1T is precisely these small sums which so
often serve as the foundation of large fortunes"
returned Mr.. Lynx with animation.
But really, five hundred dollars, / contin-
ued, DESTROYS of drawing out my visitor.
Give hundred dollars sir Think of Whit
tington and his venture. What is cat to five
hundred dollars And yet we are told, sir
that he made a colossal fortune, and even be
came Lord Mayor of London,
always regarded that story as Apochry-
phal, said |, smiling.
Possibly it may be so. But what of that +?
1t Is not the illustration of great principle
Since you object to this illustration, however
let me give you another, which came under
my observation. A friend of mine had two
hundred dollars-a mere bagatelle. He came
ton and asked my advise as to the mode of
investment | gave it. What is the result
Two years have passed, and he is worth to-
do 81 i n
lucky investment"
"lndeed," said l, pricking up my ears and
considering that at that rate my five hundred
dollars would have become fifty thousand.
MAY inquire how the money was invested
to produce such a return 90
Certainly; | was about to tell you. With
the two hundred dollars purchased for him
quarter section of land, in one of the Western
towns. OF course, you have heard of their
astonishing growth. This land was centrally
located, and was required for building lots. 1t
rose IN value astonishingly, and my friend
made snug little fortune, as l have said"
My imagination was fired at once. No
more chance of letting out my money at a
paltry six per cent when such golden har-
vests were to be had for the gathering.
81 suppose" said ], hesitatingly, ''that
such opportunities are Of rare occurrence"
Rare occurrence, my dear sir! Not at all.
admit that it requires tact and judgement TO
make choice Of such as are more eligible Of
course, one who is familiar with the business
has great advantage"
''But | am not"
Certainly not. Permit me to say, howev-
er, that ! am, and that ! shall be happy to as
sist you to the best of my ability. In fact,
devote the chief part of my time to an agency
of this description, and ] have the great salts
nf I'm hat I how 1,lno
than one man of small means on the road to
fortune"
began 10 have new idea Of the abilities
and benevolence of Mr.. Lynx, which was not
materially diminished when he acknowledged
that he was in the habit of receiving certain
commission-say ten per cent.-for efiecting
an investment.
"Have you any favorable chances for invest
ment now on hand 2" / inquired, with some
anxiety.
Tempting, sir, tempting" was the reply
of Mr. Lynx. Il have some lots in Constan-
tinople."
"Constantinople !" repeated, in some I'M
certainty The only associations which the
name recalled were of a certain city lying be-
tween the Sea of Marmora and the Bosphorus
OF course Mr.. Lynx could not mean that or
if he did, had too little confidence in the
Turks to venture my money there. My doubt
was removed by the further remarks of Mr.
Lynx.
"Constantinople is town in Minnesota,
which, | venture to say, in the course of ten
years will contain twenty-five thousand in
habitants."
81 do not think ever heard of it."
'erhis is not surprising. Thirty years since
Chicago was a mere trading post amid the
wgwams of the Indians. Now it bids fair to
rival our largest Eastern cities. l might point
you to many other examples, but it is need
less. You, sir, do not need to be informed of
the almost magical growth of our Western
towns and cities Never was there a truer
stanza penned than this by Bishop Berkeley =
Westward the course of empire takes its way
The four first acts already past,
The fifth shall close the drama with the day
Times noblest offspring is its last"
"Of course you are familiar with it "
replied in the affirmative, and ventured to
inquire more particularly respecting the town
of Constantinople.
Fortunately" replied Mr.. Lynx; 81 have
plan of the town in my pocket"
He drew out large sheet containing the
plan of town regularly laid out into streets,
lots, &c. with here and there public building
indicated.
"There," he said, indicating the central part
with his finger, care two churches-Metho-
dist and Baptist-and it is proposed to offer
the lot contiguous to the Congregationalists,
on condition of their erecting handsome
church edifce upon it, In the immediate vi
cinity some ten acres are reserved for pub
lie park. This is a thing which ought never
to be forgotten in laying out town."
looked out of my office window upon the
NaraF NNrnH rtN.