Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-24
AN INNOCENT GRANGER.


A iarmer--we will call him Smith for
short--lives in Madison County, and would
be known. ut least by reputation, to many OF
our readers, were his right namo given.
But the incident we now relate, though COM
ing to us in reliable way, WAS known to
few outside of his neighborhood. Farmer
Smith lived in n quiet way, and was sup
posed to have accumulated something ahead
besides having a pretty good farm. After
his second son had been married about
year. he concluded TO settle near the old |
mans, il he could rent place.
Hearing of this, Mr. Thompson-again we
withhold the true name-thought there |
might be chance to sell certain place on |
pretty fair terms. Mr. Thompson was u
money -loanor, and nothing suited him so
well as good interest, backed by good secur- |
ity: and he was, moreover, generally consid- |
cred pretty shrewd trader. lie rode over
to see old man Smith. but the farmer said
he did not feel able to buy-he might buy 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 tho trade was made, but his son
was n good farmer, and, he thought, it
would be all right-at least tho land would
be there, and would DO good for what re-
manned unpaid if his son should fail. What
seemed to startlo the old fellow was ~ per
cent. interest that Thompson wanted.
Finally, however, after y great deal of
talk, the price was agreed on at $40, 900. one
fifth cash and notes Mt one, two, three, and
four years, with 10 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 ut
any time get any more money than was due
on the notes, he wanted to be allowed to pay
it. aud count off the l2 per cent. The prop
ostion seemed reasonable enough to
Thompson, and he could not object to its in
sertion on the contract, and so the docu-
ment was signed in duplicate. The deed
was to be ready, the notes drawn, and the
first payment made on the following Satur-
day.
When the time arrived, both were punct-
ually on hand, the first $1,000 was paid, and
the notes were ready for signature. Mr..
Thompson" said Farmer Smith, 1--WE been
thinking about that interest, and it seemed
skerry, so / thought I'd gather in some little
money had out, and pay part of it, and
pulling from his broast-pocket n roll Of mon
ey-"jist count that"
Tho money was counted, and. with IL per
cent. off, the first note was paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the mon
ey. again Smith said "I'vo got son Twin
in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson, and as soon rs
he heard was buyin' u farm for Jakoy, he
sent me little moncy".-pulling roll from
his right side breeches pocket-"and so
whatever it is we'll credit it on the noxt
note, If you have no objection" Again the
money was counted, and with the "a per
cent. Off just paid the note to cent.
'Woll, that's luck" resumed the old man I;
land now, Mr.. Thompson, the old woman
has been selling right smart Of butter and
aigs, and some chickens now and then,
when they camo 'roHnd tho country buy
ing, and she told me this mornin' that bet
ter take what she had, and maybe il
wouldn't come Amiss." A roll was pro-
duccd from the left side breechos pocket,
and, when counted, just paid the third note
after the SO per cent. was deducted, and
Thompson said not n word. Smith seemed
to be considering for some minutes, and
then, raising his head. said, rs though sud
den thought struck him "You knowod my
daTter, Sal. didn't yep Leastwiso you've
seen her. Sal was fine gal. About five
years ago, at hog KILN time, one O. my
hands tuck sick, and what does Sal do but
turn in and help u.s. and tell you, she could
sling hog across her shoulder equal 10 amy
man on the ground. Well, you know, Sa
married year before LASH and her husband
Ibbell--you know Hibbell--is doin', they
y tell me, MS good n grocery business ~ any
man in KIrksviIe. JRkeY he went over Il
. sec Sal and Iibboll tho other day, and thcy
: was talkin' about this here interest business
: and Sal says to Hibbell, says She"
: Never mind what they said, Mr.. Smith,
- broke in Thompson. lust hand over thu
, money you were going to say they sent you.
u And sure enough the old man produced still
. another roll from some secret pocket. which
! when counted, proved to be the oxac
u amount necessary to pay OIL the last not
:, when the 4s per cent. had been duly takoT
IL Off.
u Thompson pooketed the money, wen
> straight to the court house, acknowledge,
T. the deed. and handed it over, with only thi
20 remark: "You are the biggest old rascal
ever saw.