The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-01-29
A Broad Hint
LoriglnaIl

The town OF Brookmeadow was built
on two adjoining contiguous plots In a
far western territory. 1t was not a
large town, the inhabitants numbering
not more than 100 families, and nearly
all Of these were original settlers The
people Of Brookmeadow did not en-
courage newcomers. They were a hard
headed sort and did not take kind
ly to mushroom growth. What good
would It Dc as, said a citizen to one
who asked what Inducements the PEG
pie would give him to settle among
them, ITO get 10 lot OF strangers? AS
we are, we don't need any eov'ment ex-
cept on special occasioas No, sir, we
don't want strangers
One day settler came to town who
did not ask permission-a sleek, oily
man who could absorb information as
silently as the sun sucks up water, but
never gave out any. a few days after
his arrival a Single was hung ont
on the street bearing the inscription
Anthony WSxem. Attcrney-at-La Law"
Brookmcadow thus far had no pro
fessional man except doctor and
parson. The introduction of lawyer
was considered superfuous. and the
question was raised whether Mr.. wax
EN- be allowed to remain. what's the
use a-doln' anything" said old Hon
ker, ms win DO itself? II a lawyer
car make Twin In this community,
for my part I'd let him stay. It's my
opinion he'll starye." Old Honker's
opinion was held 10 great respect ia the
town, and It was decided that the law.
ven should not be interfered with.
When Mr.. Waxem had been in Brook
meadow three months no citizen had
gsyen him case. and II was not be-
Ilsved that he had had case. re had
spent much Of his time away and had
been seen by several Of hss fellow
townsmen at different times at the
frame shanty located at the county
seat cslied the courthouse. But, since
be had no law business and no pros
poets Of any, bis early departure was
looked for.
One morning there was a surprise
sprung on the citizens OF Brookmead-
ow. When they gathered az the post
Office to get their mail the postmaster
handed each and every owner OF prop
erty carved out Of one Of the contigu-
Gus tracts on which the town was built
more bearing CA the corner Of the en-
veiopo the name Of Anthony Waxem,
Attocncy -at.Lawr The recipients Of
these notes were informed that there
was fIaw In the title OF the original
tract Wherein their property was To-
Gated. Mr.. Waxem had picked up the
flaw and for consideration would
give quitclaim deed to every lot. II
this was not satisfactory be gave no
tee that be would begin suits Of eject
ment
Thus half the citizens OF Brookmead-
ow. had bean euehred by the man whom
they had been waiting to zee starve
or depart. They were not an ex-
citabie people, but every man LEFT the
postofElce with lowering brow That
evening a group Of prominent citizens
assembled in the meeting house and
appointed a committee to have the rec
ords searched with view to deter
mining Mr.. waxem's position, and If
Il was secure to take such measures
as were necessary toward clearing the
title.
1t was one week before the commit
tee were ready to act; then they went
N body to Mr. Waxems Office That
gentleman, being perfectly confident
OF bis hegal position and believing that
they had come to offer a compromise.
though he received them urbanely. rc-
solved that be would not give an inch
from bis original demands.
"Mr Waxem.v said the chairman,
I'VE have taken legal advice and find
that you are right But these people
bought their lots IN good faith and viii
not pay blood money. Many OF them
can't AFFORD to pay. and n you insist
they must be turned out OF their
homes. Now, we have decided to give
up that part Of the town the title Of
which you are interested In to you,
removing all the houses TO the other
tract. WIN that satisfy your
Perfectly said the lawyer. consid.
sring the proposition bluff
with one provlso," continued the
rhei1nan--"that the property held By
goa e tobe used for cemetery"
This singular provision somewhat
pu1Gied ar. Nngsm.
Eve shall need" continued the
ehanman, "a corpse with which to
yl,en the cemeury, and we have
thought that In order TO do away with
an dispute III reference to the title
tbat corpse should be the person hold.