Evening star., 1914-08-01

the block. But the man OF public life.
trained to detect trickery, did not hesi-
tate at such figure and the real estater
sold him the house.
Place Lien on Property.
'Mr. City Employe never heard from
the real estate broker after that and to
this day he does not suspect that he
was baited into buying by the cunning
adjoining owner There is a group OF
men in this city who live within the law
but practice methods which cause all
brokers and owners to shun them. They
give one the impression OF being ready
to buy. They take an option of a prop
erty and make a date on which to close
the contract When the day comes
along they want a postponement: then
another and another. until the owner IN
exasperation calls off the deal Then
they place a lien on the property under
option, charging the owner with failing
to live up TO the conditions OF the option
The court is the only redress. Until the
lien Is settled or the court cancels the
lien the property is tied UP and It can't
be sold or any change be made in its
ownership.
Often these unscrupulous men will send
representatives to owners of property
ued up with such liens and pretend To
be buyers. Sometimes owners will fall
for the deception and buy off the lien
that they may accept the offer made for
their property. Then the would-be buyer
cannot be located. Sometimes these men
pick tartar and then there is a fight
In the latter part of 1911 a man with a
reputation for INSCRIPTIONS dealings
wanted property In the thirties. II
separated his holdings. This separating
parcel was owned by a man who had
much experience in real estate and knew
the reputation of the man who wanted
MS property. His property was worth
ABOUT $4,000. but he demanded 5000 for
slxty-day option. When the time
came to take title the contention was
made by the prospective buyer that the
title was clouded that conditions were
not as represented and as consequence
he had suffered the loss of the money
he had paid on the option.
In Favor of Owner.
lie fled lien against the property.
and the matter went to court. The man
who owned the house was not depending
on that particular realty, and decided to
teach the trickster a lesson. After two
years the court decided in favor of the
house owner. His neighbor then tried to
exercise his option. but he said that the
option had expired. and if he wanted an
other 1t would cost him 5000 more An
other option was secured. but II was for
ten days only. If not exercised then. the
price of the property would be increased
Sl.UO. meeting was held in the office
OF the trickster's lawyers at o'clock the
last day of the option. Matters had been
all arranged when the trickster handed
over his check
Mot for me. my friend" said the own
er refusing to accept the check. The
banks are closed until tomorrow Your
check may not be any good: besides, to-
day and not tomorrow was the day the
money was to be paid
The trickster sneered when his game
failed, and then asked for an hours time
He returned with 14,JO0 dollar bills, some
new. but many old ones. stuffed in a
handbag. The money was turned out on
a table and the man selling the property
started to count. Between unfolding and
Strengthening out the greenbacks he spent
three hours. but he was satisfied. since
he had beaten the trickster at his game.