Weekly Trinity journal., 1874-08-08
PAYING FOR A FARM,

Farmer Smith lived in quiet way,
and was supposed to have accumulated
something ahead, besides having pret-
ty farm. After his second son had been
married year, he concluded to settle
near the old mans if he could find a
place.
Hearing of this Mr.. Thompson thought
there might be chance to sell certain
place on pretty fair .erms. Mr.. Thomp-
son was a money loaner, and nothing
suited him SO we'll as good interest back
ed by good security; and he was, more
over, generally considered shrewd
trader. He rode over to see old man
Smith, but the farmer said he didn't feel
able to buy-he might on credit if the
price was low enough, and the interest
was not too high. His son "Jakey," he
said, would have to pay for the farm
himself if the trade was made, but his
son was good farmer, and he thought
it would be all right; at least. the land
would be there, and would be good for
what remained unpaid if his son should
fail. What seemed to startle the old fell
low was II per cent. interest that Thomp-
son wanted.
Finally, however, after n great deal of
talk, the price was agreed ON ut $40, 900,
one fifth cash, and notes at one, two,
three and four years, with II per cent.
interest from date for the remainder.
The contract was drawn, and they were
about to sign, when the farmer suggested
that If he should at any time get any
more money than was due on the notes,
he wanted to be allowed to pay it and
count off the twelve per cent The prop
osition seemed reasonable enough TO
Thompson, and he could not object to its
insertion in the contract, and so the doe
ument was signed in duplicate. The
deed was to be ready, and the payment
made on the following Saturday
When the time arrived both were
punctually on hand, the first "a 900 was
paid, and the notes were ready for sigma
ture. Mr.. Thompson, said farmer Smith,
Ive been thinking about that interest,
and it seemed skery, so | thought I'd
gather in some little money | had out,
and pay part Of it, and-puling from his
pocket roll of money-jist count that.
1t was counted and with twelve per
cent. off the first note was paid.
When Mr.. Thompson had pocketed the
money, again Mr.. Smith said I've got
"A son living in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson,
and as he heard | was buyn' farm for
Jakey, he sent me little moncy-pul-
ing out II roll from his right side breeches
pocket-and so whatever it is we'lI credit
it on the next note, if you have no OBJ
lection. Again the money was counted
out, and with "A per cent. off it paid the
note to Il cent.
Well, that's luck, resumed the old
man and now, Mr.. Thompson, the old
woman has been selling right smart Of
butter and eggs, and some chickens now
ing, and she told me this mornin' | had
better take what she had, and maybe it
wouldn't come amiss.
A roll was produced from the left side
breeches pocket, and when counted, just
paid the third note-after the 36 per cent.
was deducted, and Thompson said not a
word. Smith seemed to be considering
for some minutes, and then raised his
head, said, as though sudden thought
struck him: You knOwed my darter
Sal, didn't ye? Leastwise you've seen
her. Years ago at hog kilin' time, one
hand TUX sick, and what does she do but
turn in and help up, and tell you she
could sling IA hog across her shoulder
equal to any man on the ground. Well,
you know Sal was married year before
last, and her husband Hbbell-you know
Hibbell-is doin' they tell me as good a
business as any man in Kirkville. ia
key, he went over to see Sal and Hibbell
the other day, and as they were talkin'
about THIS interest business, ana BAL says
TO HibbeI, says She
Never mind what they said, Mr.. Smith
broke in old Thompson just hand over
the money you were going to say they
sent you. And sure enough, the old
man produced still another roll from
some secret pocket, which counted, prov
ed to be the exact amount necessary to
pay off the last note when the As per cent
had been duly taken off.
Thompson pocketed the money, went
straight to the court house, acknowl-
edged the deed, and handed it over, with
this remark: You are the d-dst old
rascal ever saw