Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-04-29
AN INNOCENT GRANGER.
How FARMER SMITH, OF MADISON, OUT
wITTED A MONEY LENDER.
Lexington (Ky) Gazette. |


Lexington KyJ Gazette.l
A farmer-we will call him Smith for
short-lives in Madison county, and would
be known, at least by reputation, to many
of our readers were his right name given.
But the incident we now relate, though
coming to us In a reliable way, was known
TO few outside OF his neighborhOod. Far
mer Smith lived in quiet way and was
supposed to have accumulated something
ahead besides having pretty good farm.
Alter his second son had been married
about year, he concluded to settle near
the old mans II he could rent place.
Hearing OF this, Mr.. Mr.ThOmpson-again we
withhold the true name - thought there
might be chance to sell a certain place on
pretty fair terms. Mr.. Thompson was a
money-losner, and nothing suited him SO
well as good interest, backed by good Sc
curity, and he was moreover generally con-
sidered pretty shrewd trader. He rode
over to see old man Smith, hut tho farmer
said he did not feel able To buy-he might
buy on a credit II the price was low enough
ana the interest was not too high. His son
"Jakey," he said, would have To paw for the
farm himself il the trade was made, bat his
sou was good farmer, and, he Thought it
would be all right-at least tho land would
be there, and would be good for what re-
mained unpaid II his son should fail. What
seemed to startle the old fellow was the
twelve per cent. interest that Thompson
wanted.
Finally, however, after great deal Of talk, the
pnce was agreed on at twenty thousand dollars,
one-titth Cash, and notes at one, two, three and
four years, with twelve per cent. interest from
| date Tor the remainder. The contract was drawn
| and they were about to sign, when the farmer
suggested that If he should at any time get more
| money than was due on tho notes he wanted to
be allowed 10 pay it, and count off the twelve per
cent. The proposition seemed reasonable enough
| TO thompson, and he could not object to its in
| sertion IN the contract, and the document was
signed IN duplicate. The deed was to be ready,
| the notes drawn, and The first payment made OH
| the following Saturday.
When the time arrived, both were punctually
ON hand, the first "a OV0 was paid, and the notes
we're ready for signature. "Mr. Thompson,
| said Farmer Smith, "Ive been thinking about
| that interest, and 1t seemed rather skeery, so
| thought ia gather IN como little money that
had out, and pay part OF it, snd"-pulng from
ms breast-pocket "a large roll OF moncy-"counl
that,'
| The money was counted, and, with twelve pei
| cent. oil. the lrst note was paid
Wien Thompson had pocketed the snoRey
again smith said: "lye got n son liyin' i'll Mis-
souri,, Mr. Thompson, and as soon as he heard
was buyin' II farm for Jakey, he sent me a little
| Imoney,"-pulhng roll of money from his nghi
| side breeches pocket-"and so whatever it is well
credit 1t on the next note, il you have no ohjec
| tlon. And again the money was counted, ant
win lhe twenty-iour per cent. oil, just paid tn,
note to q cent.
"WelI, that's luck" resumed the old man ian,
now, AIR. Thompson, the old woman has been sci
| ling right smart OF butter and eggs, and som,
| chickens now and then, when they come 'rounC
the country buying and she told me this morn
| ing that better take what she had and may be i
| wouldn't come amiss." a role was produced
from the lett side Lreeches pocket, and wheI
counted, Just paid the third note after the 80 pc
cent: was deducted, and Thompson said not
word. Smith seemed to be considering for som
minutes, and then raising his head said, rs though
| sudden thought struck him "You knowed IN,
daughter, Sal. didn't ye! Leastwise you've seei
her. About live years ago, at hog-kllin' time, on
| OF my hands took sick, and what does Sal do bu
| turn IN and help US, and, tell you, she coul,
sling Il hog across her shoulder equal to any maj
on the ground Wei, yo krow, So married yea
before last, and her husband Hibbell-you know
| Hibbel-lS doin,' they tell me- a. good grocer,
business as any men In Kuksyille. Jakey wen
over to Sec Sal and Ilibbell the other dav, an,
they was talkin' about this here interes: busi
meas, and Sal says to hibbell, says she'-
| Never mind what they said, MIR. Smith brok
in Thompson, ',just handlover the money yo
were going 10 say they sent You" Aud sur
enough the old man produced still another rol
from some secret pocket, which, when counted
proved to be the exact amount necessary to pa
off the last note when the is per cent. had beef
duly taken of.
Thompson pocketed the money, went straigh
to the courthouse, acknowledged the deed, an,
han'ed it over with only this remark "Iou ar
the d--st old rascal ever saw"