The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1914-09-24
"Old
Curnudgeon
BY DONALD cHAMBERLIN

fortune.
While she was abroad her guardian
wrote her that certain property shs
owned the family homestead, could
be made valuable for certain pur
pose if there were more Of it. II tbs
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
few months. She resolved 10 return 10
America and look into the matter for
herself On her arrival she learned
that the purpose for which the proper
" was wanted was large manufae-
turing plant. Those about 10 establish
it had tried to buy the adjoining prop
erty. but had failed. After her depar-
tire for Europe man had bought 1t
who wouldn't sell. Belle. who had in
herited business head from her IA
fher. saw that he was making a mis-
take that would involve her as wen IS
himself.
The morning after her arrival she
went to the adjoining place to see '-Old
Wilkinson" as he was called. and try
10 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 IMP she asked.
mo. he Is not
'-Can you tell me where can see
himT''
1T is uncertain Can be OF service
10 your
Il wish TO see him with regard 10
selling his property TO the Excelsior
Electric works l own the next place
and am Interested The company VIII
not buy unless it can have both
places
Come tn.r said the young man. and
he led the way into the drawing room
He said he could represent the matter
TO the Swner OF the property and In
vited ner so state her case This she
did remarkably well. the young man
listening attentively. though he seemed
TO be so wrapped in admiration OF
Miss Hinekley that she doubted II he
took in all she said However, after
she had finished he promised to repre-
sent the matter TO the owner In a ia
vorabIe 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 rs be had anything to report he
would call upon her.
Mr.. AIexander-that was his name
called two days Later and said that.
while be 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 Fouchsafed. 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 i
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. i
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 a few days Mr. Alexander called
again to report that he had failed 10
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,D said Mr..
Alexander one day to Belle, sfs TO
marry him. When you have done that
you can make him do what you ike
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 a 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, bot
when he admitted that he could not
do so except as the beginning OF q
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 bis feet.
Miss Hinckley was received at the
door by servant and ushered into
the library, where she saw Mr.. AIsx-
ander sitting In an easy chair with a !
leg stretched out on foot rest But
ne rose without difficulty and said: 2
Il am the owner Of this property, [
having bought IL the day before your Z
irst call here. II you wish me to Join :
'ou In efTecting a sale to these cleo
rie men you will have first 10 prom :
sc TO marry me ] have got another 4
I'D for both places and can make n
hese parties TO whom you wish to