Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

strictest secrecy. begging his townsmen to
trust him implicitly. Many unreasonable
ones found fault with this, claiming they
had a right to know what was to become
of the property they were asked to con-
tribute 50 freely. His task was rendered
still more difficult by notification from
the company that no offers would be con-
sldefed except those accompanied by cash
ard deeds of the property donated. AS
this would enable them to retain the dona-
tion of the defeated town, a great hue and
cry Of "extortion' and robbery was at
once raised.
While the judge was unable to defend
this greedy action. he pointed out that it
nowise changed the situation, as it affected
both towns alike.
To call personally on every individual
owning lard through which the right of
way must pass was an extremely tedious
and unpleasant undertaking. but the judge
was equal to it. Many-especially farmers
wanted the full details of what he pro-
posed doing. AS he was unable to tel
them some became quite mulish and told
him plainly that they thought he was
taking too much upon himself in asking
them to give their property to railroad.
company, which. for all they knew--or he
efther-would ruin them within Il year.
Farmer Belden owned an acre and a half
of land on the proposed road 1t was pas
ture land, of little value, but twenty-five
years before Judge Davis-then a young
lawyer-had defeated him in a suit growing
out of a horse trade. This was the first
time he had seen a chance to get satisfac-
ton, and he couldn't let it pass. He re-
fused fatty to contribute the necessary
strip. After exhausting long string Of
arguments the judge became slightly ex-
asperated.
Seems to me- neighbor Belden." said he
you are not very public spirited in this
matter. Don't you want the county seat
to get the road?'
II don't care a hill o. beans who gets 1t,
or whether there Is any road at all. or not"
snapped the old fellow. That fired the
judge. and he replied:
We'll, sir. we will have it. If I have to
buy every foot of the right of way myself.
What will you take for that strip
Don't want to sell it, replied the farm
err. doggedly.
We'll. I suppose you know we have
commission appointed and condemn your
land under the law Of eminent domain.
don't you? Then you'll have to sell it for
whatever the commission decides to be its
value. Whereas I am willing to pay You
a fair price now
Il don't care. II the law takes my land
III have to let it go. but l won't do so
willingly
"Oh, now. come. neighbor: be reasonable.
I'll give you my check right here for $400.
and you know the land isn't worth half
that" said the judge. regarding him earn
estly and lingering his check book tempt
ingly.
A hundred dollars was not picked UP
every day by the farmers along the ridge.
Taxes and interest on their mortgages
swallowed up about all the dollars and
dimes they were able to put away in the
bureau drawer during the year Much
! could be done with 800. 1t would single
the barn and buy a new plow-two prob
lens that had long confronted him. The
land was not worth paying taxes on. He
| hesitated and hung off till the judge re-
turned his check book to his pocket and
arose to go. saying:
I'm sorry. neighbor Belden. but think
you are standing in your own light" Then
the old man surrendered. He tried to as
sumo the role Of a public benefactor. but
the judge handed him the check with a
bow OF more than Klondike frigfdity.
picked up his hat and left, with only a
formal good day
Nettied again, Mr.. Belden exhibited his
check to such OF his neighbors as had been
took In by Ike Davis soft solder Those
who had not yet given decided answer ad-
mired Mr.. Belden's cleverness, and added
obstacles to the judges rocky road
To instiIl sentiment of public spirit
\ that should be pocket deep into these sor-
| did minds was task worthy even the
herculean powers of the judge
1t happened that among her other
worthless possessions Mrs. Stanwood own
| ed large tract on the ridge. over where the
tunnel would have to be driven to enable
the read to enter Melton On the theory
that real estate owners own AL the way
up and all the way down" the company
would need to acquire this property
Carrie and were hanging over her moth
er's gate, talking Of the thousand and ON.
unimportant matters that served their par
pose In bringing US together. had STONED
on my way home with my empty pals to
inIpart the important infornna ton that Dave
had gone to the gravel pit b leavs the