Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-06-22
GRIPPER'S MISTAKE.
A PRACTICAL STORY.

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was quiet, will.meaning man, content 10
live upon the results of honest toll, and
anxious to render unto every man his due.
He bought his land when it was cheap, 10
fact, when the price had been merely nom-
inal; and what with hunting aud fishing
md cultivatiug such land as he was in
cliued to clear, he managed to live very
comfortably. Another of the early settlers
was Jasper Grippcr But Gripper was
different sort Of man from Somerby. He
was close and tricky, and could bear down
very hard upon his ueighbors in pursuing
his own interests. He boastcd to his friend
that no man should ever ovcrreach him.
Time passed on, aud it became known
to the lumbcrmcn of the Massaquoit that
the best pine in the country caue from
the Wild River region. Que day early in
Spring gentleman came from the distant
city and looked up and down the river on
Jaepcr Gripper's land; and on the follow
Ing day he was joined by two other gentle
men. Grip7er 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 extreme 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 Wis.
tied the fall introduced himself to Mr..
Grippcr as Mr.. James Bates, and frankly
stated that he had been commissioned to
examine the fall, and, if he thought proper,
to purchase. Jasper Gripper was kcenly
and sharply alive His eye teeth we're cut.
He knew that for several years the atten-
tion of the lumbermen had been directed
to the Wild River piucs, aud that lately
people had discovered that the land was of
the very best quality. And, moreover, he
knew that the fall on his land was the only
site on the river, anywhere 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 10 the jaws Of towering
granite, where no mills could possibly be
built.
"Of course" said Mr.. Bates, eve can.
not think Of paying much for tho water
privilege, and but very little for the land
which would be required for our buildings.
The expense of erecting a suitable dam
will be very great, and at best We run
great risk. You will be the gamer iu
every way. Not only will it open a ready
market for your lumber, but the value OF
all your surrounding land will be greatly
enhanced"
Mr.. Gripper winked, and-then nodded.
He had his own interests to look after. If
he did not look after them he was sure no.
body else would. After deal Of thinking,
he said he would sell the water privilege,
together with ten acres of laud adjacent,
for two thousand dollars.
The agent was astouished. He cousid.
cred the price ridiculous.
Why" said he "you did not pay so
much for your whole territory"
1t made no odds how he (Grippcr) had
paid. His price had been named, and tho
company could take it, or let it be.
Mr.. Bates was not authorized to accept
such terms. He must confer with his prin.
cipals. And he went away. t
Iu few days he came again, this time
10 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 individual 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 aud had
come to the conclusion that the water pow
or would be of inestimable value to COM
pany able 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. have
since been examining the property more
thoroughly, aud have concluded not to sell
for less than three thousand"
Why, bless your soul, man," cried one
of the company, do you realise how our
mills, erected on that site, would benefit
you. The value Of all tho rest Of your
property would be doudled-aye, quadru-
pled-the moment our wheels are set 10