But the committee replied in the negative.  The lot they had mentioned was the one decided upon as most suited for the purpose, and they were not prepared to think of any other location.

All this Smith understood very well.  He was not only willing, but anxious for the city to purchase the lot they were negotiating for.  All he wanted was to get a good round price for the same—­say four or five times the real value.  So he feigned indifference, and threw difficulties in the way.

A few years previous to this time, Smith had purchased a considerable tract of land at the north of the then flourishing village, at fifty dollars an acre.  Its present value was about three hundred dollars an acre.  After a good deal of talk on both sides, Smith finally agreed to sell the particular lot pitched upon.  The next thing was to arrange as to price.

“At what do you hold this ground per acre?”

It was some time before Smith answered this question.  His eyes were cast upon the floor, and earnestly did he enter into debate with himself as to the value he should place upon the lot.  At first he thought of five hundred dollars per acre.  But his cupidity soon caused him to advance on that sum, although, a month before, he would have caught at such an offer.  Then he advanced to six, to seven, and to eight hundred.  And still he felt undecided.

“I can get my own price,” said he to himself.  “The city has to pay, and I might just as well get a large sum as a small one.”

“For what price will you sell?” The question was repeated.

“I must have a good price.”

“We are willing to pay what is fair and right.”

“Of course.  No doubt you have fixed a limit to which you will go.”

“Not exactly that,” said one of the gentlemen.

“Are you prepared to make an offer?”

“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 committeemen, 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.”