a certain city desiring to purchase a site for a public deformatory

procured1 an appropriation2 from the government of the country.

deeming this insufficient3 for purchase of the site and payment of

reasonable commissions to themselves, the men in charge of the

matter asked for a larger sum, which was readily given. believing

that the fountain could not be dipped dry, they applied4 for still

more and more yet. wearied at last by their importunities, the

government said it would be damned if it gave anything. so it gave

nothing and was damned all the harder.