Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-01
WHY SAM. SIMPSON SOLD OUT.

My neighbor Sam Simpson has sold out
and is going West. There has been plain,
honest, industrious, economical German
Hans Leibenstein-hanging around Simpson
for some time trying to buy his farm. At
last Hans got it. Simpson thinks he sold it
at bargain. Doubtless Hans thinks he got
it at a bargain. I had an errand down to
Simpsons the other night. I had not heard
that he had sold his farm but upon my en-
trance into the house, saw by the look on
the faces of the family that some unusual ex-
element was animating them.
"Well, Crumple, you are going to lose me
for neighbor," were Simpsons first words
after I had got settled in the splint-bottomed
chair his daughter Sally handed me; and the
whole Simpson family looked at me as if they
expected 1 would jump out of that chair, on
account of the news. with suddenness and
force only equalled by an explosion of nitro
glycerine under me, but didn't. I simply
asked, "How's that?" "I've Sold" "Sold
what?" "The farm" "To whom ?" "Hans." :"
That was the whole story. 1 didn't need any
further explanation but Simpson proceeded
to say:
"You see the whole farm is completely run
out. I can't make two ends meet the best OF
years. I've got tired tumbling around among
the stones, and I'm going where there's some
virgin soil that will produce something. So
I struck up a trade with Hans He has been
after it off and on for year or more Iwant-
ed $40 per acre for the old place. He offered
me S25. Finally he offered me $50; and,
after considering the subject, I told him l
would take it, if he would pay me cash down.
Hadn't any idea he would do it; but he said
if would throw in the stock and farm i'm
penents he thought he could raise the money.
+ finally told him would; and what do you
think, sir? He hauled out Of his greasy old
pants $1,000 bill and handed it to me to
bind the bargain, and said as soon as the pa
pers were receipted he would hand me the
balance, which he has done to-day. I feel
kind of sorry to part with the old place; but
the thing is done, and there's an end ont!
What dye think?"
All this time my Crumple nature had been
rising within me like an inspiration. Here
was this man Simpson who inherited this
farm-one of the finest in the neighborhood--
who had skinned it without scruple until it
would scarcely raise white beans under his
system of treatment. And he had got to
leave, or mortgage the farm Of his ancestors to
live on.
Then here was Hans, who came into the
neighborhood with his frau five years before,
with only his wifes strong and willing hands,
economy and industry. They had rented q
worn-out farm, which they had finally pur-
chased and paid for, and had saved $4,000,
with which to pay for Simpsons 100 acres.
So in answer to "What dye think ?" [ was
ready to respond, and did it in this wise:
"What do I think I'm glad you're going,
neighbor Simpson! I'm glad Hans has got
the farm. Hedeserves it, you don't. He has
got brains and industry; you haven't got
either. Under your management the farm is
disgrace to the neighborhood; Hans will
make it credit. Your farm lying next to
mine depreciates the value Of my land ten per
cent; the same land owned by Hans will add
to the value of mine 20 per cent. 1 shall be
the richer for your going and the poorer for
your staying. am glad you're going"
You should have seen Simpsons and his
family's faces. They grew cloudy and long.
Indeed, I believe they began to scowl at me.
Simpson said: "You're pretty rough on an