Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-10-04

There IS tale OF young Eustis, who.
having all things, wanted one thing more!
There can be told a tale Of boundless-
ness. bounded only by one thing, bit of
thwarted ambition. A nothing, yet
something, It has cost nothing as yet,
yet would cost untold wealth.
It is a tale Of the great country resi-
dences. the immense baronial estates that
are owned here as in England. But here
they have been gradually acquired. And
in this requirement. this buying up of
property to make grand country home,
happened the curious experiences that
make baronial history.
When John D. Rockefeller bought those
miles around Tarrytown, placing his titles
over the country that runs along the most
picturesque part of the Hudson, he
planned placing a fence around it all and
inclosing all in one beautiful park. SO
large did he plan it that out driving. he
could drive ten miles straight ahead with
out going of his own estates.
A MIsER's GREED.
In getting so vast q piece of property to-
rether many a stream had TO be crossed,
many mountains climbed and much sur
veving done Acres upon acres were adj
ded as Mr.. Rockefeller found new outlying
pieces Of property that pleased HIM At
length. driving over his lands. he found
himself in possession Of so many miles OF
property that he needed no more. Here
I shall place my house" he said. And
the park shall extend for miles around US
further than We can see or walk or drive.
II shall be like a Baronial estate into
whose depths the owneEsaaE penetrate.
but Offering no access to the stranger.
When the surveyors set out to place the
boundaries of the big fence they were
amazed to find a small piece of property
that was not in the plans. 1t consisted
of a.smau strip Of land running back
about forty rods into Mr.. Rpckefeller's
domains. Upon the little plot stood q
simple frame house. untenanted. while
around the door strayed a few lonesome
chickens.
The surveyors reported this TO Mr.. Rock
efeller. Purchase the piece of prop
erty," ordered he.
When the Rockefeller approached the
small house they found m old man by the
door feeding his hens. II don't think as l
want ter sell" said he. reiectively glanc-
ing over the spreading acres beyond.
Fact IS. Ike ter have a nice neishbor
Ike that I'm contented here, dom chores
for the neighbors an working out winters.
No. I doan't want ter sell
"One OF those obstinate old fellows
calculated the agent Leave him alone.
He'll come around.
But the man did not come around fast
enough. Meanwhile Mr. Rockefeller
wanted 10 build that fence The little
Mot stood next the best water chance
on the place. a beautiful little river cas-
cades into a ravine back Of the plot Buy
NJ onv nrice.' ordered the millionaire. But
the agent held out.
All summer the man worked out DOING
chores and when winter came ne housed
IN. only going out 10 do odd Jobs. Spring
dawned and with q came the agent. The
old man by this time was ugly. You
can't have that thar house fur less than
$4,000" said he. "and cash az that
"I'u paw IT," said the agent. Il viii be
here tomorrow with the money and a
lawyer"
Next morning came the agent, the law
yer and the money. But when they ap-
preached the house they saw something
had gone wrong. The chickens were run
ming wildly in all directions. the windows
WERE broken ard the door hung mournful-
| " upon one hinge. AS they stopped 70
gaze at the strange sight wildly dishev-
elled figure came rushing around the
house. crying. Money. Money! Where's
the money? Let me eat IT, Let me eat
itr 1t was the poor fellow. gone stark.
raving mad with Joy at the prospect Of