The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-07-13
GRIPPER'S MISTAKE.
A PRACTICAL STORY.

- TNaNlNAL sIoRf.
One of the first settlers in the Wild River re.
gion was Daniel Somerby. He was d quiet, well
meaning man, content to live upon the results of
honest toll, and anxious to render unto every
man his due. He bought his land when 1t was
cheap; in fact, when the price had been merely
nominal; and what with hunting and fishing
and cultivatine such land as he was inclined to
clear, he managed to live very comfortably. An.
other of the early settlers was Jasper Gripper
But Gripper was different sort of Q man from
Somerby. He was close and tricky and could
bear down very hard upon his neighbors in pur-
suing his own interests. He boasted to his
friend that no man should ever overreach him.
Time passed on, and it became known to the
lumbermen OF the Massaquolt that the best pine
in the country came from the Wild River region
One day early in spring gentleman came from
the distant city and looked up and down the
river on Jasper Gripper's land and on the fol-.
lowing day he was joined by two other gentle.
men. Gripper had often thought what a splen.
did place that would be for dam and mill
With firm dam the power would be enormous
There was only one trouble-the extreme fresh.
cts to which the river was subject IN spri.g and
autumn would render it difficult to fix the dam
But then there were engineers who could over.
come all such difficulties.
Finally the gentleman who had first visited
the fall introduced himself to Mr.. Gripper as
MIR. James Bates. and frankly stated that he had
been commissioned 70 examine the fall and, if
he thought proper, to purchase. Jasper Gripper
was keenly and sharply alive. His eye teeth
were cut He knew that for several years the
attention of the lumbermen had been dire eted to
the Wild River pineries, and that lately people
had discovered that the land was of the very
best quality. And, moreover, he knew that tie
fall on his land WAS the only site on the river
anywhere in that region, where the dam could
be safely erected. There was anothe. fall ak
miles below, but it was Of wild, roaring, tur.
bulent character, locked in the jaws of tow ering
granite, where no mills could possibly DO built
"Of COURSE" said Mr.. Bates, 1--WE cannot think
Of paying much for the water privilege, and but
very little tor the land which would be required
for our buildings The expense of erecting u
suitable dam will he very great, and ut best We
run great risk. You will be the gamer in every
way. Not only will it open II ready market for
your lumber, but the value of all your surround.
ing land will be enhanced'
Mr.. Grpper winked, and then nodded. He
had his own interests t. look after II he did
not look after them he was sure nobody else
would. After a deal of thinking, he said he
would sell the water privilege, together with
ten acres OF land adjacent, for two thousand
dollars
The agent was astonished He considered the
price ridiculous.
"Why," said he, "you did not pay so much as
that for your whole territory"
1t made no odds what Le (Gripper) had paid.
His price had been named, and the company
could tafe it or let it be.
Mr.. Bates WAS not authorized to accept such
terms. He must confer with his principals
And he went away.
In few days be came again, this time in com.
pany with three others They went up aud ex
smined the water privilege, and then came back
to Mr. Grippers house, where they informed tina,
individual that if he would throw in ten more
acres of land they would accept his offer
Gripper thought he had them. He had thor
oughly digcsted the matter, and had come to the
conclusion that the water power would be of in.
estimate value to company able to improve it.
and that they were bound to have il,
"Gentlemen," said he ''my offer Of two thou
sand dollars was made for your acceptance sew
eral days ago. l did not leave il open to YOU:
pleasure. | have since been examining the
property more thoroughly, and have concluded
not to sell for less than three thousand"
"Why. bless your soul, man" cried one Of the
company, do you realize how our mills, erected
on the site, would benefit your The value OF
all the rest OF your properly would be doubled
aye, quaurupied-the momeht our wheels are Sc,
In motion, We had supposed you would freely
give the water power to a responsible company
who would improve it,"
Mr.. Glipper laughed scornfuly. He knew
MS own interests better than that; they could
take up has offer, or leave it, as they pleased.
AfteT much discussion, Mr.. Bates spoke thus
mt "s.pper, We would like your final offer
70 remain open to our acceptance three days, a,
the END OF which time you shall have our answer
Will you accommodate us:
"When said three thousa nd dollars " replied
Mr.. GripPer 81 meant TO include only ten acre.
Of land. If You wont ten acres more T mn.,
call it thirty-five hundred"
And with this noustrous propo,ition. which
was to be open three days, the parties separated
One of the gentlemen of Mr.. Bates party wa.
Beneto Mcintosh, the most Accomplished p; vi
engineer Of the day.
'iou speak of another fall below here" he
said, after Ae had left Gripper's residence.
"les,' answered Bates, "but you will find i,
utterly impractoable"
Still Mcintosh desired 70 look at il, and ,hi,h
or the party bent their steps.
The fall was found to be Q tunbling, dashin,
flood, pouring down declivity Of ut least seye,.
ty feet in distance Of twenty rods lesping an,
surging over the jagged shelves Of rocks into
boiling chasm below, while on both hands aros
perpendicular walls Of solid granite, showin
that ut come period far remote the mouata
torrent had literally cut ito way through tn
adsmsntine ledge.
McIntosh examined TIA land helov, Aha fall,