"We are prepared to hear your price, and to make a report thereon," was replied.
"That's a very valuable lot of ground," said Smith.
"Name your price," returned one of the committee men, a little impatiently.
Thus brought up to the point, Smith, after thinking hurriedly for a few moments, said—
"One thousand dollars an acre."
Both the men shook their heads in a very positive way. Smith said that it was the lowest he would take; and so the conference ended.
At the next meeting of the city councils, a report on the town lot was made, and the extraordinary demand of Smith canvassed. It was unanimously decided not to make the proposed purchase.
When this decision reached the landholder, he was considerably disappointed. He wanted money badly, and would have "jumped at" two thousand dollars for the five-acre lot, if satisfied that it would bring no more. But, when the city came forward as a purchaser, his cupidity was subjected to a very strong temptation. He believed that he could get five thousand dollars as easily as two; and quieted his conscience by the salvo—"An article is always worth what it will bring."
A week or two went by, and Smith was about calling upon one of the members of the council, to say that, if the city really wanted the lot, he would sell at their price, leaving it with the council to act justly and generously, when a friend said to him—
"I hear that the council had the subject of a public square under consideration again this morning."