But the squire not only refused to sell an acre at the prices offered him, he would place no other price whatever on it.
In fact, he did not want to sell.

He had bought the land for mountain pasture, and he didn't know about these railroads and mines and such like.

Phrony would have it after his death, and she could do what she wished with it after he was dead and gone.
"He is a fool!" thought Wickersham, and set Phrony to work on him; but the old fellow was obdurate.

He kissed Phrony for her wheedling, but told her that women-folks didn't understand about business.

So Wickersham had to leave without getting the lands.
* * * * * The influx of strangers was so great now at Gumbolt that there was a stream of vehicles running between a point some miles beyond Eden, which the railroad had reached, and Gumbolt.