"
Smith began to feel more and more uncomfortable.
"I might take something less," he ventured to say, in a low,
hesitating voice.
"It is too late now," was Mr. Wilson's prompt reply.
"Too late! How so?"
"We have procured a lot."
"Mr. Wilson!" Poor Smith started to his feet in chagrin and
astonishment.
"Yes; we have taken one of Jones's lots on the west side of the
city. A beautiful ten acre lot."
"You have!" Smith was actually pale.
"We have; and the title deeds are now being made out."
It was some time before Smith had sufficiently recovered from the
stunning effect of this unlooked-for intelligence, to make the
inquiry,
"And pray how much did Jones ask for his ten acre lot."
"He presented it to the city as a gift," replied the councilman.
"A gift! What folly!"
"No, not folly--but true worldly wisdom; though I believe Jones did
not think of advantage to himself when he generously made the offer.
He is worth twenty thousand dollars more to-day than he was
yesterday, in the simple advanced value of his land for building
lots. And I know of no man in this town whose good fortune affects
me with more pleasure."
Smith stole back to his home with a mountain of disappointment on
his heart. In his cupidity he had entirely overreached himself, and
he saw that the consequences were to react upon all his future
prosperity.
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