The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-05-14

diminishing IN consequence of baC
culture, and defective management
Of his stock had reduced that until il
was of little consequence.
The holder of the mortgage was
a man named Dyer, who kept q
tavern in the village that lay a mile
distant from the little white farm
house of Mr.. Bacon. When Dye,
commenced his liquor selling trade.
for that was his principal business, he
had only a few hundred dollars; now
he was worth thousands, and was
about the only man in the ncighbor.
hood who had money to lend. His
loans were always made on bond and
mortgage, and, it was a little re.
markablc, that he was never known
to let sober, industrious farmer or
store keeper have q single dollar.
But, drinking man, who was grad.
ually wasting his substance, rarely
applied to him in vain; for he was the
cunning spider watching for the silly
fly. Moro than one worn out and
rundown farm had already come into
his hands, through the foreclosure of
mortgages, at n time Of business de.
preston, when his helpless victims
could find no symyathizing friends
able to save them from ruin.
One day, in mld-wintcr, as Mr..
Bacon was cutting wood at his rather
poorly furnished wood pile, the
tavern-kccpcr rode up. There was
something in his countcnancc that
sent creeping sense of fear to the
heart Of the farmer.
"Good morning: Mr.. Dyer said
he.
"Good morning. returned the
tavern-kcepcr, formally. His usual
smile was absent from his face.
"Sharp day, this
eyes, rather keen
"Won't you walk in and take
.e"'afittbb'ntGiiSi itb, tiiSiur you. lL.h-c.m!
There was pause.
NNlr. Bacon.
The farmers cyo sunk beneath the
cold steady look of Dyer.
"NIr. Bacon, guess I shall have
to call on you for them three hundred
dollars said the tavern keeper, in a
firm voice.
Cant pay that mortgage now,
Mr.. Dyer, returned Bacon, with U
troubled expression; "no use to think
Of it,
"Rathcr a cool way to treat man
after borrowing nis money. told
you when | lent it that l might want
it at almost any time.
Oh! no, Mr.. Dyer. 1t was under
stood, distinctly, that from four to six
months notice would be given, re-
piled Mr.. Bacon, positively.
"Prcpostcrous!' calculated the
tavcrn.kcepcr. "Never thought of
such thing. Six months notice,
indccd!'
"That was the agreement said
Mr.. Bacon, firmly.
els it in the bonl?'
"No, it was verbal, between us
Dyer shook his head, as he an
swercd,
"No, sir. I never make agree.
mcnts Of that kind; he money was "a
be paid on demand, and | have ridden
over this morning to make the de
mand!
"It is midwintcr. Mr.. Dyer, was
replied in husky voice.
"Wcll?
"You know that a small farmer
like me, cannot be in possession, a
this season, Of the large sum you dc
mand.'
"That is your affair, Mr.. Bacon.
| want my money now, and must have
it,
There was tone of menace in tho
way this was said that Mr.. Bacol
fully understood.
81 haven't thirty dollars, mucl
less three hundred, in my possession,
said he.
"Borrow it then
Impossible! money has not beer
so scarce for years. Every one il
complaining
"You'd better make the effort, Mr.
Bacon, | shall be sorry to put you t.
any trouble, but my money will hav
to be forthcoming
"You will not enter up the mort
gage2' said the farmer.
"It will certainly come to that III
less you can pay it..
"That is what / call oppression
returned Mr.. Bacon, in momentar
indignation, for the uttcrancc G
which he was as quickly rcpentant.
"Good morning." said Dyer, ouddc,
ly turning his horses head, an
riding off at q brisk trot.