The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-03-04
Diamond Cut Diamond.

Diamond Cut Diamond.
Some time since a gentleman, whom we
will call Mr.. A, purchased a piece of
ground in Murray-street, on which was an
old building, which he proceeded to tear
down, intending to erect in It's place a
building more suitable for the transaction
of his business. About the same time an
other gentleman, whom we shall call Mr..
B., purchased the adjoining lot, and pro-
ceeded In the same manner to take down
the old building standing upon it, so that
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 natural
ly that his neighbor would prefer building
at the same time, paid him visit in rela-
ton to the matter, when he was boorishly
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 20 have his build
ing covered in" when he was surprised
one day by visit from his irate neigh
| bor
Sir" said Mr.. B., 'syou are an inch on
my ground
Mr. A. rejoined that he thought it must
| be mistake
''No, sir, it is no mistake-you are an
inch on my ground"
''Weu," returned Mr.. A, ''all [ can say
| is, if it is SO, l am very sorry, and it is al
| together unintentional; but / am willing
to pay whatever the land is worth"
Il want no pay, sir" answered Mr.. B :,
Il want nay land"
Sir" said IIr. A, Il see it is hopeless
| TO compromise this matter with you, and I
viii give you double whatever YOU say the
land is worth, rather than take down my
wall"
Il want no money! want my land, ,"
persisted the stubborn Mr. b.
Argument and entreaty were alike una,
vailing, and AIr. y. accordingly proceeded
to take down and rebuild his wall
He was permitted to finish his building
/ now without further interruption.
Shortly afterward Mr. 3. concluded to
build on his lot, and mason5 and carpen-
ters were set at work to accomplish the
object.
The work progressed fnely-story after
story went up as if by magic; and our
friend b. watched the operations day by
day with increasing interest, with confident
anticipation Of being able to occupy the
premises by certain period. At length
the building was entirely finished from the
! foundation to capstone the workmen had
departed with their tools the rubbish had
been cleared away, and Mr.. 3. was com
placently congratulating himself on its
successful accomplishment, when he was
astonished by visit from his neighbor
| Mr.. A
''Sir," said he, II am sorry to inform
you that you are an inch on my ground" ,"
pooh, nonsense !" returned MI b.
''It's no nonsense at all, y said Mr.. \. !;
Il tell you that you are an inch on my
ground"
why, how can that be ?" clustered
Mr.. b., "when have only built up to your
wall ?"
"Ah that's it p' in the driest manner
possible, answered Mr.. A.
Our friend, Mr. B., was somewhat dumb
founded. "Send for surveyor, sir," at
length ne exploded, sand we'll see about
this"
The surveyor was accordingly sent for,
who after careful measurement of the re-
spective premises, reported to the crestfal-
len Mr. B. that 1t was indeed too true-he
was occupying an inch more land than he
was entitled to. A proposition to buy
that coming, it must be confessed,
with bad grace from him-was now ad-
yanced by Mr.. B.
''No, sir," returned Mr. A, II shall not
sell; you cannot offer me money enough to
buy that inch Of land. Take down your
wall, sir, down with it TO the foundations
| [ want my land
| Mr. b. came to the conclusion that the
game was decidedly against him, and yield
ed with the best grace he could. The wall
was taken down and re-erected, and so very
careful was our particular friend this time
not to trespass that he built an inch short
of where he had right to go. 1t is, per-
haps, unnecessary to explain to the
reader that Mr.. A. had done the same
thing in the first instance
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-"That man." says Sidney Smith, "is
! T. 7 i