Little Falls herald., 1914-11-27
old
urrlludgeon :
By DONALD ctlAMBERLIN

While she was abroad her guardian
wrote her that certain property she
| owned, the family homestead, could
be made valuable for certain pur
pose if there were more of it. If the
adjoining place could be united with 1t
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
few 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 establish
it had tried to ouy the adjoining prop
erty, but had failed. After her depar-
ture for Europe man had bought 1t
who wouldn't sell. Belle, who had in
| herited business head from her IA
ther. 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
Wilkins0n,' as he was called, and try
| to induce him to sell. AS she went up
the walk to the house young man
came out to the porch and stood with
his hands in his pockets watching the
approaching girl.
| lis Mr.. Wilkinson in?" she asked.
mo, be is not"
| Can you tell me where I can see
him?''
1T is uncertain. Can be OF service
to you?"
| II wish to see him with regard to
selling his property to the Excelsior
Electric works. own the next place
and am interested. The company will
not buy unless it can have both
places"
"Come in." said the young man, and
he led the way into the drawing room.
He said he could represent the matter
to the owner Of the property and in
vited her to state her case. This she
did remarkably we'll, the young man
listening attentively. though he seemed
to be so wrapped in admiration Of
Miss Hinckley that she doubted if he
took in all she said. However. after
she had finished he promised to repre-
sent the matter to the owner in 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 he
would call upon her.
Mr. Alexander-that was his name-
called two days later and said that
while he had represented the matter
as she had given it 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 80
large property and II 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 curmudgeon, said Mr.
Alexander one day to Belle, '.is to
marry him. 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 an old man, especially q stub
born one. But she thought Of the
matter and concluded that she would
look the old chap over. Alexander
agreed to arrange a meeting, but
when he admitted that he could not
do 50 except as the beginning Of
matrimonial negotiation Belle baked
again; but, receiving an advance on the