The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-08
THE STORY-TELLER.
GRiPPER'S MISTAKE.

One of the first settlers in the Wild
River region was David Somerby. He
was 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 it
was cheap i'll fact when the price had
been merely nominal and, what with
hunting and fishing, and cultivating
such land as he was inclined to clear, he
managed to live very comfortably.
Another of the early settlers was Jas
per GTipper. But Gripper was differ
ent sort of man from Soimerby. He
was close and tricky, and could bear
down hard upon his neighbors in pursu-
ing his own interests. He boosted to his
friends that no man should overreach
him.
Aye, jasper Gripper, thou may over
reach thyself. We shall see.
Time passed on, and it became known
to lumbernen of the Massaquoit that
the best pine in the country came from
the Wild River region. One day in ear
ly spring a gentleman came up from the
distant city and looked up and down the
river on Jasper Gripper's land and on
the following day he was joined by two
other gentlemen. Gripper had often
thought what splendid place that
would be for a dam and mill. With a
firm dam the power would be enormous.
There was only one trouble the eX-
treme freshets to which the river was
subject in the spring and autumn would
render it difficult to fix the dam. But
then there were engineers who could
overcome all such difficulties.
Finally the gentleman who had first
visited the fall introduced himself to Mr..
Gaipper as Mr.. James Bates, and frank
ly stated that he had been commissioned
to examine the fall, and if he thought
proper to purchase it. Jasper Gripper
was keenly and sharply alive His
eye-teeth were cut. He knew for sever
al years the attention of lumbermen had
been directed to the Wild River pines,
and that lately people had discovered
that the land was of the very best quail
ity. And, moreover, he knew that the
fall upon his land was the only site up
on the river, anywhere in that region,
where the dam could be safely erected.
There was another fall six miles below,
upon David Somerby's estate, but it was
of wild, roaring, turbulent character,
locked in the jaws of towering granite,
where no mills could be possibly built.
"Of course" said Mr.. Bates, "we can
not think of paying much for the water
privilege, and but very little for the
land which would be required for our
buildings. The expenses of erecting a
suitable dam will be very great, and at
best we run great risk. You will be the
gamer in every way. Not only will it
"a yxr,, ,.1yat fOr hn1, h,nt
the value OF all your surrounding land
will be enhanced"
Mr.. Gripper winked and nodded. He
had his own interests to look after. If
lie 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 qstonishod. He con-
sidered the price ridiculous.
Why" said he, you did not pay SO
much for your whole territory"
1t made no odds what he (Grippsr)
had paid. His price had been named,
and the company could take it, OF let it
be-
Mr.. Bates was not authorized to ac-
cept such terms He must confer with
his principals. And he went away.
In few days he came again, this
time in company with three others.
They went up and examined the water
privilege, and then came back to Mr..
Gripper's house, where they informed
that indiSidual that if he would throw
in ten more acres of land they would
accept his offer.
Gripper thought he had them. He
had thoroughly digested the matter, and
had come to the conclusion that the
water power would be of inestimable
value to the company to improve it and
that they were bound to have it.
Gentlemen" said he, "my offer of
two thousand dollars was made for your
acceptance several days ago. did not
leave it open to your pleasure. l have
since been examining the property thor
oughly, 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 upon that site,
would benefit youS The value of all