The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-06-28
GRIPPER'S MISTAKE.
A PRACTICAL STORY.

fhACIiCAL STORY.
One of the first ettlers in the Wild
River region was Daniel Somerby. He
was a quiet, well. meaning man, con.
tent 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: in 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. An.
other OF the early settlers was Jasper
Gripper. But Gripper was a different
sort OF man from Somerby. He was
close and tricky, and could bear down
very hard upon his neigh bors in pur.
suing his own interests. He boosted to
his friend that no man should ever
overreach him.
Time passed on, and it became known
to the lumbermen of the Massaouoit
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 following day he was Joined by
two other gentlemen. Grpper had often
thought what a splendid place that
would be for 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 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.. Gripper as Mr.. James Bates, and
frankly stated that he had been com.
missioned to 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
Tor several years the attention of the
!umbermen had been directed to the
Wild River pineris, and that lately PEG.
pie had discovered that the land was
OF the very best quality. And, more.
over, he knew that the fall on his land
was the only site on the river, any.
where in that region, where the dam
could be safely erected. There was
another fall, six miles below, but it was
Of wild, roaring turbulent character,
locked in the jaws of towering granite,
where no mills could possibly be built.
"Os course" said Mr.. Bates, "we
cannot think of paying much for the
water privilege, and but very little for
The land which would be REQUIRED for
'ur buildings. The expense of erecting
suitable dam will be very great, and ..
u best we run great risk. You will be
ne gamer in every way. Not only will t.
open ready market for your lumber. |.
'ut the value of all your surrounding
and will be enhanced"
Mr.. Gripper winked, and then nod.
led. He had his own interests to look a
'fter. If he did not look after them
le was sure nobody else would. After
deal OF thinking, he said he would a
ell the water privilege, together with
en- acres of land adj lcent, for two
housand dollars.
The agent was astonished. He consid. q
red the price ridicu ious.
Why" said he, you did not pay .
much as that for your whole terrific. U
p" f
1t made no odds what he (Gripper) Q
ad paid. His price had been named, Z
no the company could take it, or let it .
3.
Mr.. Bates was not authorized to &C. Z
'pt such terms. He must confer with y
Is principals. And he went away. 1
In few days he came again, this q
me in company with three others. v
hey went up and examined the water G.
rivilege, and then came back to Mr.. =
ripper's house, where they informed n
lat individual that if he would throw r
ten more acres Of land they would y
'cept his offer. u
Gripper thought he had them. He
ad thoroughly digested the matter, and al
I'd come to the conclusion that the N
ater power would be Of inestimable 81
'lue to company able to improve it, fc
i'd that they were bound to have it.
"Gentlemen." said he, tiny offer of te
70 thousand dollars was made for your N
several days ago. did not a,
ave II open to your pleasure. have A