The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-24
A QUEER DEED,

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vile, and some city property that
brought him good living. He was q
civil engineer by profession, but never
practiced except for his own amusement,
~ for the benefit Of his few friends.
In Cantonville harbor was large
island. Aurora Island it was called, some
half mile LONG by quarter wide. This
vas favorite resort Of his, and many
days he spent alone ON il. A small grove
II trees on one end made very good
picnic ground, but the passage to and
from the island was rather dangerous,
owing to the swift tides, and the place
was not very much used.
Wilson finally conceived the idea that
he wanted to buy the island, and set
about trying to find the owner. No one
in town knew anything about it, but the
town clerk sent him OH the right track by
sending him to the registry Of deeds.
Here he found the island was owned by
Miss Nellie Armstrong.
AN old maid, he said to himself, as
he found the last transfer dated back
twenty years. ssNow, where am i to
look for Miss Armstrong;"
Back to Cantonville he went and set
about to find the lady bearing the name
Of Miss Nellie Armstrong. The post
master knew no such party, the town
clerk ditto. Everyone who was likely to
know was hunted up, but with no sue
cess
Then hask to the registry office again
he went, and found out who transferred
the island to Miss Armstrong, thing lie
should have done in the first place, but
failed to. This party was Ebenezer
Budget. Now, then, to find out who
Mr.. Budget was, and where he lived,
claimed his attention. The first person
lao met on his arrival home could tell him
Rll he wanted to know. Mr.. Budget was
an old miser, who died in the town about
nineteen years ago. He left one son,
who was alive, and probably in New
York His name was Jonathan.
Next morning Mr.. Wilson left for New
York. He found Mr.. Budget without
much trouble, and from him learned that
Miss Nellie Armstrong was niece Of
Ebenezcr Budget, and that when he
died she WAS one year old, consequently
she was now twenty. Her parents lived
in Boston the last Jonathan knew any
thing about them. He could not tell
whether they were there now or not, but
lie gave Wilson their former address,
telling him he could probably find out
there where they were, If he could not
find them there.
The next morning found Mr.. Wilson
in Boston, aud he was soon in the count
ing-room Of Mr.. Armstrong, the father
Of Nellie. He was fine-looking man,
Of some fifty-five wears, and Wilson soon
found himself wondering If his daughter
was as nice in looks and manner as her
father. Mr.. Armstrong did not know
whether Nellie would like to sell the
island or not, but if Mr.. Wilson would
call at the house in the evening he might
talk with her about it. Would it he con.
venicnt for him to do so?
It certainly would, and Mr.. Wilson
left the Office with a feeling that he was
in lnck, though he could not exactly tell
why, for he had not purchased the
island, and did not know whether he
conld or not. Still, it was with very
pleasant feeling that he prepared for his
evening visit. say prepared, for he
took more pains with his toilet than he
some of his most intimate friends. And,
finally, several new things had to be
purchased before he was entirely satis-
fled with his appearance. A servant
nshered him into the library, where he
met Mr.. Armstrong. That gentleman
ut once sent for his daughter.
After the introduction Mr.. Wilson, of
course, stated his business, although he
would rather have talked on some inter-
esting subject. for he had lost much Of
his enthusiasm in regard to the island.
Miss Armstrong was his ideal Of q wo-
man in looks, and he had no doubt but
what she was intellectually also.
Il have never thought much about the
island, said Miss Nellie, '.for did not
suppose it was Of any money value what
ever"
In that you are mistaken" said Mr..
Wilson. 1.-THE island is quite valuable.
1t has . fine grove upon it, and consid-
cradle timber, besides the land is good
place for picnics, or for q summer resi-
dence. In fact, was thinking Of build
ing house on it myself, If succeeded
in buying it"
You are certainly very frank in your
statement Of its value" said Mr.. Arm
strong, .for We know nothing Of it at all,
only from the description in letter from
Mr.. Budget which came with the deed
whereby we knew its location. 1 will
get the deed and letter and see how il
reads"
So saying he arose and took from his
desk the papers. The letter was q
queerly-written thing, and, as Mr.. Arm
strong said, very fair sample Of his
wife's brothers letters. It was written
thus:
ssTo Miss Armstrong:
Find Aurora
island lust
north OF Cantonyille Mills
down on the coast.
Minute description: II calm
you can approach ii anywhere.
Mind the mud;it
only lies north.
never go from
east because OF rocks. The
yearly tides are strong, and many
inexperienced boatmcn go
never to come back. II You
thus profit by my advice, for,
hear me, it il good, the beach
easily il reached and you
can pass
Avery pleasant day. Suburb
views are to be had, which
European country can
scarcely be found TO exceed.
EBENEzER BUDGET"
The deed was very strong, making i
clearly understood that the island ant
everything contained thereon was mad.
over to Miss Nellie Armstrong, and ais.
stating that the letter describing tn,
property must be given if it was sold o.
transferred.
Mr.. Armstrong asked Wilson what h,
thought the island was worth.
- do not know, but would give /
thousand dollars for it, said Wilson.
That seems pretty good price fol
what we have always considered worth.
less piece Of property, am free to con.
Tess" said Mr.. Armstrong, looking a!
Nellie.
"Ysa. sir; don't think the islsnd caA
posssbly b worth thss," said ahs.