Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-05-21

Sihcinnatl mas done III bringing IN
song birds of the old world to our grove
and thickets, we should at least protec
from wantOn destruction such as are ma
tive TO our State.
AN INNOCENT GRANGER
How Farmer Smith Outwitte6
aMoney-Lender.
A farmer--we will call him Smith
for short-lives in neighbOring Co.
and would be known, at least by repu-
tation, to many of our readers were hi.
true name given. But the incident W,
now relate, though coming to rs in :
relible way, was known to few outside
of his neighborhood. Farmer Smitf
lived in quiet way, and was supposed
to have accumulated something ahead
besides having pretty good farm
After his second son was married about
a year, he concluded to settle
near the old mans, ifhe could rent /:
place,
Hearing of this Mr.. Thompson
again we withhold the true name
thought there might be chance to sell
a certain place on iair terms. Mr.
Thompson was mOney-loaner, and
nothing suited him so well as good in
terest, backed by good security, and he
was moreover, generally considered a
pretty shrewd dealer. He rode over to
see old man Smith, but the farmer said
he did not feel able to buy--he might
on a credit if the price was low enough
and the interest was not toe high. His
son "Jakey," he said, would haye to
pay for the farm himself if the trade
was made, but his son was good farm
er, and, he thought, it would be all right
at least the land would be there, and
would be good for what remained un-
paid if his son should fail.-What SEEM
ed to startle the old fellow was twelve
per cent. interest that Thompson want
ed. E-
Finally, however, after good deal of
talk, the price was agreed on at $4,000,
one fifth down, and notes at one, two,
three, and four years, with twelve per
cent interest from date for the remain
er. The contract was drawn, and they
were about to sign, when the former
suggested that if he should at any time
get more money than was due on the
notes he wanted to be allowed to pay it,
and count off the twelve per cent. The
proposition seemed reasonable enough
to Thompson, and he could not object
to its insertion in the contract, and so
the document was signed in duplicate.
The deed was to be ready the notes
drawn, and the first payment made on
the following Saturday. s
When the time arrived both were
on hand, the first 4, 200 was
paid, the notes were ready for sigma
ture. "Mr. Thompson" said Farmer
Smith, "I've been thinking about that
interest, and it seemed skerry, so Il
thought I'd gether in some little money
had out and pay part of it, and-pull-
ing from his pockets roll of money
"jist count that"
The money was counted, and with
twelve per cent. off, the first note was
paid.
When Thompson had pOcketed the
money, again Smith said: "I'ye got
a son living in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson
and as soon as he heard was buyin' a
farm for. Jakey, he sent me little
money"--pulling role from his right
side breeches pocket-"and so whatever
it is We'll credit it on the next note, ifI
you have no objection" Again the
money was counted and just payed the
note to the cent.
"Well, that's luck" resumed the old
man; "and now, Mr.. Thompson, the old
has been selling right smart of
butter and eggs, and some chickens
now and then, when they came round
'he coun try buying, and she told me
his mornin' that better take what she
had, and may be it wouldn't come
amiss." A roll was produced from the
eft side breeches pocket, and when |
counted just paid the third note after
he thrity-six per cent. was deducted,
md Thompson said not a word. Smith
seemed to be considering for some min
ltes, and then, raising his head, said, as
'hough q sudden thought struck him:
You knowed my darter Sal, didn't ye !?
Leastwise you've seen her. Sal was a |
ine gal. About five year ago, at hog
killin' time, one O'my hands tuck sick
md what does Sal do but turn in and |
help us, and l tell you, she could sling |
4 hog across her shoulder equal to any
nan on the ground. Well, you know
Sal married year before last, and her
husband, Hibbell-you know Hibbell-l
IS doin', they tell me, as good a grocery
business as any man in Kirkville. Jake
he went over to sea Sal and Hibbell the |
other day, and they was a talkin'
about this here interest business, and !
Sal says to Hibbell, says she:
"Neyer mind what they said, Mr.. |
smith," broke in Thompson, "just hand
over the money you were going to say
they sent you.' And sure enough the
Did man produced another roll from |
some. secret pocket, which, when count
ed, proved to be the exact amount nee
sssary to pay off the last note when the
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 only this remark: "You are the
d-st old rascal ever saw!'
From the Oberlin News
Agricultural Notes.
paddlprs should he set Out aS sneelilv