The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-12-03
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
a MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

on the lawn, SHALL ever be able to sci
those LOTS
Mr.. Fassett was a real estate lawyer
of the firm of Fassett, Peralium & Percy
His office was in the city, his home dur
ing the summer was in the country
Mr. fassett S father had been a lawyer
too. when he lived. While Fassett was
a mere child the old gentleman bought
parcel of vacant land in the uppe,
/! part of the city, which had, until then
| been farm, taking Ii tie In the name OF
his son. saying TO himself: when Gu!
grows up this may do him some good
and, as it cost me SO little, l might as
well tie up the title for the boy and lei
the land lie vacant.
On coming OF age Qui Fassett Che al
ways signed himself 20. Fassett") had
an opportunity to sell his land for q
great advance on what the elder Fassctt
paid, but the old gentleman advised
against it. There's nothing like real
estate for investment, my son-hothing
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, d
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 the exclamation
with which this narrative opens, no 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 hundred
times what his father paid for the land,
and twice what he offered to take five
years before, and $1,000 more than he
tried to get twelve months ago, Out Fas.
sett was not satisfied. He now wanted
$4,000, 'for," said he, eff this property
has increased in value 1000 lot the
past year why should it not increase
$1,000 neSt year,"
But the builder was stubborn. II am
anxious to put up a row of houses
there" he said, 'bccause / know they
will sell readily, and as my capital is
| lying idle and mostof the men l usually
employ are out of work, want to get at
the job at once. But l can't afford to
give moro than eight thousand even at
that figure [ take a big risk. Better let
me have the lots
No" replied Mr.. Fassett, mine
| thousand or no trade
"All right" said the builder, extend
ing his hand, then 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. "No one viii sell lots in
such locality for any less"
Perhaps not, perhaps not" rejoined
the builder; sand then I'll have to put
OF the job until things get in better
shape. But am sorry for the men, and
that's fact. Why, if I could get those
lots, I'd have 500 at work in week."
what n philanthopist you are, to be
sure said Mr.. Fassett good uredly;
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 lots9"
For while Mr. Fassett mentally Spec
ulated in his vacant lots, but before he
knew it he was watching the movements
of flock of crows in neighboring
field, thinking of their free and easy
life, noting that the scarecrow did not
Brighten them at all, and wondering if
they had any of the carking cares that
worry men. In moment, almost un-
consciously, he said aloud:
Il wish l was 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, somcwhat startled for man
usually so cool.
II am crow, too" the croaling voice
replied.
"0h you are, are you? Well, what do
you mean?" asked Mr.. Fassett.
''You said you wished you were crow,
and you are" was repeated.
1t suddenly dawned upon Mr. Fassett
that he had fallen asleep, and the abb
surdity of his little dream made him
laugh outright.
But what laugh! 1t frightened him
as he heard it. Instead of the round,
hearty, whole-souied laugh to which his
friends were accustomed, and which was
not without music to his own ear, he
heard nothing but a croaking-''aw aw!
awr'
Mr.. Fassett raised his hand to his face
to assure himself that he was really
awake, and from sheer awlwardness
tangled his claw in his feathers. In
extricating the claw and smoothing his
ruffied coat, he saw himself as he was,
and realized that indeed he had become
q crow.
The crow il VIZ tree had been watch
ing Fassetts movements with amused
interest, and now asked him if he would
like to join the flock Almost before he
knew it Outs wings were outspread,
and he was fluttering upward. Ahght-
ing on the branch along side of mis-
new friend, he asked what he was dong
there.
Watching this tree" said the crow.
''What for?''
ITO keep crows from building nests
here"
Much obliged to you." said Fassett,
"for taking so much care of my prop
crty."
Your property!' said the crow, "well |
guess not! Aw! aw! aw! that is rich! |
Your tree! Why this tree belongs to old