The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-01-23
"Old
Curmudgeon"
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN

fortune.
While she was abroad her guardian
wrote her that certain property she
owned. the family homestead, could
BE- made valuable for u certain pur-
pose If there more Of 1t. II the
adjoining place could be united with it
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 q
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 tile proper
ty was wanted was u large manufac-
turing plant. Those about to estn blish
It had tried to buy the adjoining prop
erty. but had failed. After her sdppar-
ture for Europe u a had bought 1t
who wouldn't sell. Belle. who had in
herited u business head from her ia.
ther. saw that be was making u mis-
take that would involve her as we'll ~
himself.
The morning after her arrival she
went to the adjoining place to zee ''Old
Wilkinson" as he was called. and try
to induce him to sell. AS she went up
the walk to the house a young man
came out to the porch and stood with
his hands in his pockets watching the
approaching girl.
lis Mr.. Wilkinson I'M" she asked.
mo. be is not"
Can you tell me where | can zee
bimy"
1T is uncertain. Can l 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
aud ALL Interested. The company will
not buy unless 1t can have both
places"
Come in" said the young man. and
he led the way into the dra wing room
Re said be- could represent the ma tier
to the owner Ut the property and IN
vited her to state her AZ This she
did remarkably well. the young man
listening attentiveIy.' though h- seemed
tn he 40 wrapped in admiration Of
Miss Hinckley that she doubted II b.
took In all she said. However. after
she had finished he promised to repre-
spnt the matter t. the owner In u ia
vorable light. Then he invited her to
inspect the place. taking her into the
grcsphOuses and presenting her with
sOlne line American Beauty roses.
When she departed he said that a.
saku as b. had anything to report be
would call upon her.
Mr.. Alexander that was his name
called two days later aud said that.
while be had represented the matter
~ she had given 1t to him. the wner
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 hut few
had the mean to purchase 50
large \ property aud II the opportunity
were not taken advantage OF both
would remain AZ they we're.
10 income and paying taxes
that would gradually eat them up.
The young man said that he would
again confer with the owner and en-
to Impress him with this view
Ut the case.
In q few days Mr.. Alexander called
again to report that be had failed to
impress the owner of the property
With the reasons Miss ainckIey had
brought forth and feared that be had
other views for the property. The
matter dragged along. The would BE-
purchasers were known to be looking
at other sites. and Miss Hinckiey was
THE only way ! know for you to
move the old curmudgeOn." said Mr.
Alexander one day to Belle. rs to
marry him. When you have done that
you q make him do what you like"
Belle secuted the idea Indeed. she
had taken quite a 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 be Admitted that be- could moi
do 40 except as the beginning Ut u
matrimonial negotiation Belle baked
again: hut. receiving an advance on the
offer for her, property conditional On
the purchase of the adjoining estate.
she consented. 1t was arranged that
she 20 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
dOur by q servant and ushered into
the library. where she saw Mr.. Alex
ander sitting In Nm easy chair with q
lex stretched out on a foot rest. But
~ rose without diflcuity and said:
II am the owner Of this property.
having bought It the day before your
1rst call here. II you Wish me TO join