Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1854

pg 212       to make us almost doubt them.  Heretofore he had demanded $9000, 
             to be paid in very short installments; now he was willing to take 
             $8000--payable $1000 down and the rest in installments in four 
             years.  In a word, the purchase of this land by the House was 
             made, if not as easy as desirable, at least reasonable and 
             possible.
                  Fortunately, the long winter of 1854-55 was not yet over.  
             The ice was not gone, and thus the lake might be lowered before 
             the hot weather, and the marsh, which the public voice declared to 
             be the cause of our maladies, might be dried without danger.
                  Fortunately also, the Mother House had long before permitted 
             the purchase of this ground, on condition that it took no 
             responsibility in the matter.
                  Four days were spent in discussing and drawing up the titles, 
             mortgages, etc.  Finally, on the evening of the fourth day, when 
             the papers had been signed by both parties and nothing remained 
             but to exchange them, our man left town without a word, and went 
             home, thus leaving hardly any doubt that he withdrew his offer and