The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-15
FARMER SMITH AND LAWYER
THOMPSON.

lhVMI SONs
A farmer-we will call him Smith foi
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 reliable
way, was known to few outside of his
neighborhood. Farmer Smith lived III
a quiet way, and was supposed to have
accumulated something ahead, besides
having a pretty good farm. After his
second son had been married about q
year, he concluded to settle near the
old mans, if he could rent place
Hearing of this, Mr. Thompson
again we withhold the true name
thought there might be a chance to sell
a certain place on pretty fair terms.
Mr.. Thompson was money-loaner, and
nothing suited him SO well as interest,
backed by good security and he was
moreover generally considered pretty
shrewd trader. He rode over here to
see old man Smith, but the farmer said
he did not feel able to buy-he might
buy on credit if the prlce 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 re-
NAMED unpaid if his son should fail.
What seemed to startle the old fellow
was twelve per cent. interest that
Thompson wanted.
Finally, however, after a great deal
of talk, the price was agreed on at
$40, 600, one-ffth cash. and the notes at
one, two three, and four years, with
twelve 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 proposition
seemed reasonable to Thompson, and
he could not object to the insertion in
the contract, and so the contract was
signed in duplicate. The deed was TO
be ready, the notes drawn, and the
first payment made on the following
Saturday.
When the time arrived, both were
on hand, the first 81, 600 was
paid, and the notes were ready for sig
nature. {" Mr.. Thompson" said Farm
er Smith, "Tve been thinking about
that interest, and it seemed skerry, so 1
thought I'd gather in some little money
L had out, and pay part of it, and -
pulling from his breast.pocket roll of
list count that"
The money was counted, and, with
twelve per cent. off, the first note was
paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the
again Smith said: "I've got
a son Twin in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson,
and as soon as he heard was buyin' a
farm for Jakey, he sent me little
money pulling a roll from his right
side breeches pocket" and so what
ever it is we'll credit it on the next
note, if you have no objection" Again
the money was counted, and with the
twenty-four per cent. off, just paid the
note to cent
Well, that's luck, resumed the old
man; land now, Mr.. Thompson, the
old woman has been selling right smart
Of butter and aigs, and some chickens
now and then, when they come round
the country buying, and she told me
this mornin' that / better take what she
had, and maybe it wouldn't come
amiss" A roll was produced from the
breeches pocket, and when
just paid the third note after
the thirty.six per cent. was deducted,
md Thompson said not word. Smith
seemed to be considering for some min
ltes, and then, raising his head, said,
as though sudden thought struck
him "You knowed my darter, Sal,
lidn't We? Leastwise you've seen her.
Sal was fine gal About five years
lgo at hog-killing time. one O. my hands
luck sick, and what does Sal do but
turn in and help us and, L tell you, she
could sling hog across her shoulders
equal to airy man on the ground. Well,
you know, Sal married year before last,
md her husband Hibbell-you know
Hibbell-is doin', they tell me, as good
, grocery business as any man III
Kirksville. Jakey, he went over to see
Sail and Hlbbell the other day, ana
hey was talkin about this here inter-
,st business, and Sal says to Hibbell,
says She
Never mind what they said, Mr..
smith, broke in thompson, just
land over the money you were going
% say they sent you" And sure
enough the old man produced still an
,ther roll from some secret pocket
which, when counted, proved to be the
,xact amount necessary to pay off the
asst note when forty-eight per cent. had
,een duly taken of.
Thompson pocketed the money, went
traight to the Courthouse, acknowl-
,dged the deed, and handed it over with
,nly this remark: You are the
l-st old rascal l ever saw !'--Lcring-
on (ky.) Gazette.
~ oDrn.r,,x The New York R1JI-