Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-17
Diamond Cut Diamond.

SOME time since, 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 its 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, aud supposing, quite natu-
rally, that his neighbor would prefer
building at the same time, paid him visit
in relation to the matter, when he was
boorishly informed by Mr.. B. that he
should build when he pleased" OF
course, as MIR. 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 neighbor.
"Sir," says Mr. B., "you are an inch or
my ground"
Mr.. A. reioined that he thought it must
be mistake.
"No, sir, it is no mistake; you are an
inch on my ground"
"Well, returned Mr.. A., "all can say
is, if it is so, ana very sorry, and it is al
together unintentional but am willing
to pay, whatever you say the land is
worth"
Il want no pay, sir," answered Mr.. B.,
Il want my land"
"Sir" says AIf. A., "I see it is hopeless
70 I, ,is III IL
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 the stubborn Mr.. B. Argument
and entreaty were alike unavailing, and
MIR. A. accordingly proceeded to take down
and rebuild his wall.
He was permitted to finish his building,
now, without further interruption.
Shortly afterward, Mr. B. concluded to
build on his lot, and masons and carpen-
ters were set at work to accomplish the
object
The work progressed finely-story after
story went up as if by magic; and our
friend b. watched the operation 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.. B. was
complacently congraIulating himself on
its successful accomplishment, when he
was astonlshed by visit from his neighbor,
Mr.. A.
"Sir," said he, az am sorry to inform
you that you are an inch on my ground"
Pooh, nonsenseT" |" returned Mr.. B.
It's no nonsense at al" said Mr.. A.
" tell you you are an inch on my ground.
"Why, how can that be ?" clustered Mr..
B., "when l have only built up to your
wall ~
"Ah, that's itr' in the dryest manner
possible answered Mr.. A.
Our friend, Mr., B., was somewhat dunn
founded. Send for a surveyor, sir" at
length he exploded, "and we'll see about
this"
The surveyor was accordingly sent for,
who, after a careful measurement of the
respective premises, reported to the crest
fallen Mr. b. that it was indeed too true
he was occupying an inch more land than
he was entitled to. A proposition to buy
that inch-coming, it must be confessed
with bad grace from him-was now adj
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 founda-
tions; l want my land"
Mr.. B. came to the conclusion that the
game was decidedly against him, and
yielded 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, perhaps, unnecessary to explain to
the reader that Mr.. A. had done the same
thing in the first instance.-Nep York Pa
per.