Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-03-18
"Old
Curmudgeon"
BY DONALD cHAMBERIIN

Belle Hinckley was an orphan with
u fortune.
While she was abroad her guardian
wrote her that certain property she
owned. the family homestead. could
be made valuable for certain pnr.
pose II there We're more of IL. IL the
adjoining place could be united with II
there would be ample room. Perhaps
the union could be effected.
Belle had been abroad two years
when this announcement reached her
and would receive her property in a
rev months. She resolved to return to
America and look into the matter for
herself. On her arrival she learned
that the purpose for which the proper
ty was wanted was large manufac-
turing plant, Those about to estab lisb
1t had tried to buy the adjoining prop
erfy. but had failed. After her depar
ture for Europe a man had bought 1t
who wouldn't sell Belle, who mad in
herited business head from her ia.
Their, saw that he was making mis-
take that would involve her as well as
himself
The morning after her arrival she
went to the adjoining place to see "Old
Wilkinson as he was called. and try
to induce him to sell. As she went I'D
the walk to the house young man
came out TO the porch and stood with
bis hands In his pockets watching the
approaching girl.
lis Mr.. Wilkinson in?" she asked.
mo. be is not"
Can you tell me where | can see
him."
ut is uncertain. Can't be of service
to your"
Il wish TO see him with regard to
selling his property to the Excelsior
Electric works. | own the next place
aud am interested. The company will
not buy unless 1t can have both
places
Come in" said the young man. ana
he led the way into the drawing room
He said be could represent the matter
to the owner OF the property and in
vited her to state her case This she
did remarkably well, the young man
listening attentively, though he seemed
to be so wrapped In admiration of
Miss Hinckley that she doubted II be
took In all she said. However, after
she had finished he promised to repre-
sent the matter TO the owner In a IA
vorable light Then he invited her to
inspect the place. taking her into the
greenhouses and presenting her with
some fine American Beauty roses.
When she departed he said that as
soon as he had anything to report be
would call upon her.
Mr.. Alexander-that was his name
called two days later aud said that.
while he had represented the matter
as she had given 1t to him, the owner
was still averse to selling. Miss Hinck
ley asked the young man what rea-
sons had been given for the refusal
and was told that no reason whatever
had been vouchsafed. He suspected
that the owner wished to build on the
property himself, or possibly he might
be negotiating with other parties.
Belle was very much disappointed.
She told the gentleman that but few
concerns had the means to purchase so
large property and If the opportunity
were not taken advantage of both
places would remain as they were.
producing no income and paying taxes
that would gradually eat them up.
The young man said that he would
again confer with the owner and en-
deavor to impress him with this view
of the case.
In few days Mr.. Alexander called
again to report that he had failed to
impress the owner of the property
with the reasons Miss Hinckley had
brought forth and feared that he had
other views for the property. The
matter dragged along. The would be
purchasers were known to be looking
at other sites. and Miss Hinckley was
discouraged.
THE only way ! know for you to
move the old curnudgeoD." said Mr.
Alexander one day to Belle, lis To
marry MIN. When you have done that
you can make him do what you like
Belle secuted the idea. Indeed. she.
had taken quite fancy To this Mr.
Alexander. but anyway she wouldn't
marry IN old man. especially u stub
born one But she thought of the
matter and concluded that she would
look the old chap over. Alexander
agreed to arrange meeting. but
when he admitted that be could not
do so except as the beginning Of a
matrimonial negotiation Belle baked
again; but, receiving an advance on the
offer for her property conditional on
the purchase of the adjoining estate,
she consented. 1t was arranged that
she go the next day to make the call.
Mr.. Wilkinson having an attack OF
govt which kept him OF his feet.
Miss Hinckley was received at the
door by a servant and ushered into
the library. where she saw Mr.. Alex
ander sitting in an easy chair with