Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-12-08
VALUABLE SPACE.
The Cunning Story OF an Inch and
Half of Land.

In one OF the streets of New York
running west from Broadway, two
stores stand side by side with space
OF one and a half inches between the
walls, an unusual sight in metropolis
where land is valued by the inch. The
curious story Of that vacant space Is
| this:
Fifty years ago these lots were
owned by two persons, whom we Will
designate as A. Merchant and d. Ii.
Ogg. Business was creeping into the
street rapidly, and the demand for
more storeroOm induced Mr.. Mer-
chant to pull down the old building on
his premises, and erect store and
warehouse commensurate with the de-
mand. A well known architect was en-
ployed, a contract for material given,
and the building was put up by day
work, in the most substantial manner.
The foundation had been set extra
deep the bricks being laid, not after
the manner of modern days, but with
the best OF material. Mortar was not
| spared between the bricks on the sew
eral courses. The beams were heavy
and keyed into the walls. An iron
vault was set in solid masonry on the
| ground-iloor, and heater placed IN
the basement, the 1ue5 of which ian
up to the third story, and the appoint
ments throughout were Of the most
| elaborate sort. When the store was
completed, Mr.. Merchant had no diff
Guilty in Ending first-clas5 tenant, to
whom he leased it for a brief term of
4 Tho 20
store was filed with goods, business
soon commenced to thrive, and both
tenant and landlord were happy.
Mr.. Oxg, somewhat jealous of his
nelghbor's success, also concluded to
rebuild. His old building wa torn
down and excavations for the new were
made. At this point Mr.. Ogg called
on MIR. Merchant and informed him
that his (Merchant's) wall extended
one inch and half on Ogg's land.
This was great surprise to Mr.. Mer-
chant, who did not hesitate to tell Mr..
Ogg that he doubted the fact.
Have 1t surveyed, then" was Ogg's
reply, land find out for yourself"
The survey was made, and Mer-
chants building was found to encroach
one inch and half on the land of his
neighbor.
WELL" says Merchant, ''I'l pay
you for the ground. How much do you
want?"
II don't want your money, 1 want
tine ground" was Ogg's ungraclous an
swer.
"Oh, pShawl you are 1oKing,' said
Merchant. You certainly don't in
tend to have me pull down my wall for
the sake of an inch and a half of
groundl"
81 mean just what ! say" replied
Ogg. ''lt suits my plans to have that
inch and half ,ClN have itl''
Neither the appeals Of mutual
friends, sentiment OF neighborliness,
or offers of money, could bulge the
Shylock. So at a heavy loss Merchant
settled with his tenants, tore down the
wall and rebuilt it on his own ground.
In the meantime Ogg's building went
up. He strove to outdo his neighbor
in solidity OF its masonry; he went one
story higher, and in finishing the store
was even more elaborate in the ap-
pOintments. tie completed it, found a
tenant, and executed lease; the ten
ant moved in and filled the building
with merchandise, and Mr.. Ogg s'as
happy.
The busy season came around again,
and Mr.. Ogg received call from Mr..
Merchant.
81 have come to inform you Mr.
Oyg, that your building is one and a
halt Inches on my lot" said Mr.. Mer-
chant, which, of course, Mr.. Ogg dis
puted. "Have 1t surveyed then, and
find out for yourself, Mr.. Ogg."
The survey was made, and it proved
that Mr.. Merchant was right. Ogg's
store was on Merchants land one and
a half inches. In rebuilding, Merchant
had set back his wall three inches, and
Ogg's masons had built close up to it.
The sequel is very soon told. The
man who showed no mercy to others
could find no friends to intercede for
him. 1t was long before he recovered
from the loss his selishness had en-
tailed upon himself. Not only was it
heavy expense to change his wall, but
his tenant made him pay dearly for his
broken contract; while Mr.. Merchants
tenant was lenient with him, and upon
the expiration of his short lease was
glad to renew it at rent that IN lit
tie while more than compensated Mer-
chant for his loss.