The Democratic advocate., 1883-08-11

VOL. XVIII.-NO. 39.

Council was still IN session or not, AS TO
making allusion to the subject of his anx-
ious interest to any one, that was carefully
avoided; for he knew that his exorbitant
demand was the town falkland he wished
to affect the most perfect Indifference on
the subject.
The day closed, and not whisper about
the town lot had come to the ears of Mr..
Smith. What could it mean? Had his
offer to sell at six thousand been rejected?
The very thought caused his heart to grow
heavy in his bosom. Six, seven, eight
o'clock came, and still it was all dark with
Mr.. Smith He could bear the suspense
no longer, and so determined to call upon
his neighbor Wilson, who was member
of the Council, and learn from him what
had been done.
So he called on Mr. Wilson.
"Ah, friend Smith," said the latter;
chow are you this evening p
"Well, thank you, returned Smith,
feeling certain oppression of the chest
GLOW are you?
"Oh very WELL
Here there was a pause, after which
Smith said:
"About the ground of mine. What did
you do ?"
"Nothing," replied Wilson, coldly.
Nothing, did you say?" Smiths voice
was little husky.
"No. You declined our offer-or, rath-
er, the high price fixed by yourself upon
the land
"You refused to buy it at five thousand
when it was offered" said Smith.
II know We did, because your demand
was exorbitant."
"Oh! no; not at all" returned Smith.
quickly.
"In that we only differ" said Wilson,
"However, the Council has decided not to
pay you the price you ask.
"Unanimously?
"There was not dissenting voice"
Smith began to feel more and more un-
comfortable
81 might take something less, he ven
tured to say, in slow, hesitating voice.
''It is too late now" was Mr.. Wilson's
prompt reply.
''Too late How so p
eve have procured lot.
"Mr. Wilson" Poor Smith started to
his feet in chagrin and astonishment
Yes we have taken one of Mr.. Jones
lots on the west side of the city-a beauti-
full, ten-acre lot"
"You have!' Smith was actually pale.
"We have, and the title deeds are now
being made out.
1t was some time before Smith had suf-
fciently recovered from the stunning effect
of this unlocked for intelligence to make
the inquiry:
"And pray, how much did Jones ask for
his ten acre lot 2"
"He presented it to the city as gift,
replied the Councilman.
"a gift! What folly!'
''No; not folly, but true, worldly wis
dom. Though I believe Jones did not
think of advantage to himself when he
generously made the offer, he is worth
twenty thousand dollars more to-day than
he was yesterday in the simple advanced
value of his land for building-lot And
[ know of no man in this town whose good
fortune affects me with more pleasure"
Smith stole back to his home with a
mountain of disappointment on his heart.
In his cupidity he had entirely overreached
himself, and he saw that the consequences
were to react upon all his future prosperi-
ty The public square at the west end of
the town would draw improvements in that
direction, all the while increasing in wealth
of Mr.. Jones, while lots at the north end
would remain at present prices, or, it might
be, take downward range.
And so it proved In ten years Jones
was the richest man in the town, while half
of Smith property had been sold for taxes.
The fve-acre lot passed from his hands,
under the hammer, in the foreclosure of a
mortgage of one thousand dollars.
Thus it is that inordinate selfshncss and
cupidity overreach themselves, while the
liberal man deviseth liberal things and is
sustained thereby.