The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-14


hour was the legal possessor Of one hun
dred and sixty acres sixty acres situated in
ConstantinopIe. Forty acres were in the
center of the town-the remainder of it
was on the outskirts. These, together with
commission to pay Mr.. Lynx, just swallowe ed
up my Aunt's bequests.
When walked home, it was with proud
consciousness that Iuas landed proprietor,
and on the high road to wealth.
'In two or three years at most, reflected,
Il shall be able to sell my land for such
sum as, with my moderate desires, will place
me above the world. shall at once resign
my situation, build cottage somewhere on
the North River, and, being quite able to
give her competent support, shall offer
myself to the adorable EIiza.'
The prospect was an agreeable one, deci-
dedly so, and could not avoid wishing that
my fortune was already made. However,
two years would pass rapidly, and then my
castle in the air might assun,, a more sub
stantial form. | did not acquaInl ny friends
with the nature of my investment lat init
mated in a mysterious manner that had
made an exceedingly fortunate disposal #
it. Naturally, their curiosity was excited,
but as intended by and by to surprise them
l was proof against their inquiries.
Some weeks since, having brief respite
from business, prepared, as usual to take
a summer trip. Where shall 60? To Sara
toga, Newport or Nahant? This question
was propounded by my friends.
q shall 60 to neither of these Places l
replied.
'You 60 to the White Mountain, then, or
to Niagara?'
sStill wrong.'
sWhere, then, are you GoingH
'To Constantinople,' replied firmly.
| My friends looked at each other IN blank
amazement, and, believe, had serious
doubts of my sanity, until assured them
that did not mean the ancient ByzantiuID,
but fourishing town in Minnesota. They
manifested considerable surprise at my SIN
gular taste. gave no explanation, reserv-
ing those to future time.
Travelling in cars and steamboats, found
somewhat fatiguing, and employed the leis-
ure which it afforded in stud wing the plan of
Constantinople, Of which Mr.. Lynx had obli-
| gingly given me a copy. indulged in con-
lectures as to the probable appearance Of
the place.
The picture which fancy painted was
|
thousand inhabitants, with churches, schools
stores, workshops, a beautiful park, neatly
fenced, and bank in fine, Just such q
town as We see in New England, with a
genial air of thrift and prosperity pervad!ng
it. There might be newspaper for aught |
knew, in which case | was Determined to
put down my name as a subscriber at once.
This would De no more than my duty us a
| publlc-spirited man.
! | need not dwell upon the details Of my
journey. Travelling now-a- days, is reduced
to the most commonplace thing in the world,
unless, indeed the monotony is broken by a
steamboat explosion or a railroad accident,
such as the enterpr!sins managers frequently
! favor us with.
The reader will be kind enough to sup
pose me within twelve miles Of my destina-
tioD. passed the ight in a miserable little
hamlet Of some dozen houses, Of the rudest
| possible architecture. The hotel was built
! Of logs and the fare and accommodations
were equally indifferent.
! Never mind,' thought !. 'we will find Il
different state of affairs ut Con>tantiuope.'
SO did, but will not anticipate.
After spending the nj 1ht in battling with
mosquitoes, and another class of insects
bearing very p!cblan name, Which do
not care to repeat, | rose at an early hour,
and instituted inquiries as to the practical
bility of procuring conveyance to Constan
tinope.
! SIS there no stage that goes there:' | en-
/ quircd.
The man laughed, quite unnecessarily as
thought, and assured me that there was
not.
you want to 90 there, reckon:' he said.
answered in the affirmative.
'Well,' said he, works rather drivin'
jest at present, but if you're a mind 10 pay
me III harness up and take you over my
SELF
| The price was finally fixed at three dollars,
which slight hint induced the to offer in ad-
vance.
We We're soon on our wav. The road if it
deserved the name, which seriously ques-
toned, was the mos: wretched with which |
ever made acquaintance. Occasionally one
side Of the vehicle was raised high in the air
while passing over stump, which | am
obliged to say always disturbed my equli-
brum very considerably. Once it was lift
ed so high as to produce an overturn. My
companion who appeared to be expecting
such a catastrophe, adroisly leaped to one
side. was not so fortunate, cOntriving to
fall with my shoulder under the wheel and
bruisng it very uncomfortably.
After riding some four hours, and finding
to my surprise that the road continued as
wild as ever, vcnturei the inquiry if we
were pretty near Constantinople.
'We're in it, was the reply.
Sin it = exclaimed, in un5ounded aston
ishment; Sin the outskirts, | suppose you
mean.'
NO don't-there's the ,village.'
Following the direction bf his finger, nv
attention was drawn to three miserable log
houses; in front of one pig was roofing
very composedly.
There must be some mistake said l.
hurriedly. 'Constantinople is large town.
with churches, schools, bank
My companion absolutely shouted with
laughter. You see 'em all before you,' he
said. Them log -housts is all the schoo
houses and banks you'll find in Constantine
pie. So you got took in with the rest.
reckon you own land in the town, dom
you?'
'One hundred and sixty acres,' I replied
with crest fallen air.
SWELL, you'll find it one half swamp anu
'tother half forest, as nigh as can make out
You're the seventeeth man I've brought ou
here this summer to look at this land: bu
they were pretty much all disappointed il
the looks of the place. How much did yo,
pay for your land?'
Five hundred dolars,' replied mourn
fully.
'if you can get five hundred cents for it,
was the encouraging reply, sd advise yo,
to take it. Would you like to stay anl
look around lttle?'
& think Fll turn back said | uncom
fortablv.
We did turn back. turned one last lin
gering backward glance upon the log -huts
with their back ground of forest and neigh
boring swamps, and as did so. fcrven ly
invoked Scotch blessing upon tho plausi.
bic Mr.. Lynx. If ever | meet him shal
find my christianity put to a severe test.
i have recently returned from my Jour
ney, with my day dreams most ef'ectually
dispelled. am quite as far from marrying
Eliza as ever. The revenue of my Westeru
estate will not justify me in assuming So
expensive responsibility. have only to
add that my one hundred and sixty acres