Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-12-19
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE


on the lawn. "shall ever be able to sell
those lots"
Mr.. Fassett was a real estate lawyer,
OF the firm of Fassett, Peralium e. Percy.
His Office was in the city, his home dur
ing the summer was in tho country.
Mr. Fassett father had been lawyer,
too, when he lived. While Fassett was
n mere child the old gentleman bought
a parcel of vacant land In the upper
part of the city. which had, until then.
been farm, taking title in tho name OF
his son, saying to himself: ''when Out
grows up this may do him somo good,
and. as it cost me so little. l might as
we'll tie up the title for the boy and let
tho land lie vacant.
On coming of age Qui Fassett (he al
ways signed himself 20 Fassett") had
an opportunity to sell his land for a
great advance on what tho elder Fassett
paid, but the old gentleman advised
against it. There's nothing like real
estate for investment, my son-nothing
like real estate!" he used to say to Qui;
and so Qui, although he had frequent
offers for his land always wanted lit
tie more than any one would pay, a
policy in which he was encouraged by
the fact that every subsequent offer was
higher than his previous demand.
When Qui Fassett threw himself on
the lawn and made tho exclamation
with which this narrative opens, he had
just refused the latest offer. An enter
prising builder wanted the land and had
offered Mr.. Fassett IS, 600 lot. AL
though this was more than a hundred
times what his father paid for the land,
and twice what he offered to take five
years before, and 81, 900 more than he
tried to get twelve months ago, Qui Fas-
sett was not satisfied He now wanted
$4,000, for" said he, 'if this property
has increased in value $1,000 lot tho
past year, why should it not increase
~, 900 next yearP'
But the builder was stubborn. ~ am
anxious to put up row OF houses
there" he said, because l know they
Will sell readily, and as my capital is
lying idle and most of the men usually
employ are out of work, l want to get at
the job at once. But l can't afford to
give moro than eight thousand; even at
Il
me have the lots"
NO" replied Mr.. Fassctt, mine
thousand or no trade"
"All right" said the builder extend-
ing his hand, then I must say, good
bye, and run along for the train. I'll
have to hunt up some other lots.
Don't believe you can do any bet
ter" said Mr.. Fassett, shaking the
builders hand. mo one will sell lots in
such locality for any less"
Perhaps not, perhaps not" rejoined
the builder; land then I'll have to put
oil the job until things get in better
shape. But ! am sorry for tho men, and
that's a fact Why, if | could get those
lots, I'd have 800 at work in week"
What a philanthopist you are, to be
sure" said Mr.. Fassett good naturally;
and the two men parted, the builder to
go to his train and Mr. Fassett to stretch
himself on his cool lawn, and exclaim,
'Oh, dear! oh, dear! shall ever be able
to sell those lots?"
For n while Mr.. Fassett mentally spec
ulated in his vacant lots, but before he
knew it he was watching the movements
field, thinking of their free and easy
life, noting that the scarecrow did not
Brighten them at all, and wondering il
they had any of the carking cares that
worry men. In moment, almost un.
consciously, he said aloud:
81 wish | was a crow"
Well, you are" came in croaking
tones from the branches of the tree over
his head.
What in thunder is that?' inquired
Mr.. Fassett, somewhat startled for man
usually SO cool.
II am crow, too" the croal1ing voice
replied.
''oh you are, are you? Well, what dc
you mean?" asked Mr.. Fassett
'You said you wished you were a crow,
and you are" was repested.
1t suddenly dawned upon Mr.. Fassett
that he had fallen asleep, and the alb
surdity of his little dream made him
laugh outright.
But what a laugh! 1t frightened him
as lie heard it. Instead of the round
hearty, whole-souled laugh to which hi;
friends were accustomed and which was
not without music to his own ear, he
heard nothing but croaking-''aw! aw
avn
Mr.. Fassett raised his hand to his face
| to ssure himself that he was really
awake, and from sheer awkwardnes.
tangled his claw in his feathers. II
extricating the claw and smoothing hi!
rufiled coat, he saw himself as he was
and realized that indeed he had become
q crow.
The crow in the tree had boon watch
ing Fassetts movements with amused
interest, and now asked him If he would
like to join the flock Almost before h,
knew it Outs wings were outspread
and he was fluttering upward. Alight
ing on the branch along side u hi
now friend, he asked what he was doinl
there.
"Watching this tree" said the crow
"What for?'
ITO keep crows from building nest
here"
Much obliged to you,' said Fasset:
"for taking SO much care of my prop
erty."
Your property said the crow, "wel
l guess not Aw! aw! aw! that is rich
Your tree. Why this tree belongs to oil
Jim Crow. He's down South now
Didn't come up with the rest of tn
crows. Too lazy to fly such distance
Don't you know that this is the best tire
for building crows nests in all thi
scction?"
ut is, oh? Well. why in thunder d
YOU keep crows from building nests /