South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-07-03
An Innocent Granger.
HoD Farmer SmhA Out,ritsd Honey Lender

1
farmer-we will call him Smith for short
living in Kentucky, and would be known, mt
/ least by reputation, 10 many OF our readers were
his right name given. Farmer Smith lived in
qulet way, and was supposed 10 have accumuIa-
TED something ahead besides having pretty cool
farm. After his second son had been married
about year he concluded to settle near the old
mans if he could rent place.
Hearing Of this, Mr. Thompson-aqain we
withhold the true name thought there might be
chance to sell certain place on pretty fair
terms Mr.. Thompson was a money loaner, and
nothing suited him SO we'll good interest, back
ed by good security and he was moreover, gen.
orally considered pretty shrewi trader. He
rode ever to see old man Smith, but the farmer
said he.did not feel able 10 buy--he might buy
Gu credit If tae price was low enough and the in
teres, was not too high. His son "Jakey," be
said, would have TO pay for the farm himself if
the trade was made, but his son was a good far
mer, and, he thought, it W oud 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 fellow was IL per
cent interest that Thompson wanted
Finally, however, after good deal of talk,
the price was agreed on at $780, OOO, oneffth cash,
with IL per cent. interest from date for the re-
mainder. The contract was drawn, and they
were about TO sign, when the farmer suggested
that if he should get any more money than was
due on the notes, he wanted to be allowed to pay
it, and count off the IL per cent. The PROPOSE
ton seemed reasonable enough TO Thompson, and
he could not object to its insertion in the con-
4
cate. The deed was TO be ready, the notes drawn
and the first payment made on the following Sa-
turday.
When the time arrived both were punctually
on hand, the first 81 600 was paid, and the notes
were ready for signature.
'Mr. Thompson" said Farmer Smith, 'I've
been thinking about that interest and it seemed
skeery, SO thought I'd get in some little money
had out, ard pay part of it, and'-then pull
ing from his breast pocket roll of money
{ just count that"
The money was carefully counted, and, with
IL per cent. off, the frst note was paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the money, a.
gain Smith said give got son living ia Mis-
souri,, Mr. Thompson, end as as he heard
was buying a farm for Jakey, he sent me little
money pulling roll from bis right brooches
pocket-"and so whatever it is we'll credit on
the next note, if you have no objection"
Again, the money counted out, and with
81 per cent. off, it 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 rags, and
some chickens now and then, when they come
round the country luying, and she told me
this mornin' that better take what she had, and
maybe il wouldn't come amiss." roll was
produced from the left side breeches pocket, and
when counted, just paid tue third note after the
3G per cent. was deducted, and Thompson said
Not a word. Smith seemed to be considering for
some minutes, and then, raising his head, said
as though sudden thought struck him "You
knowed my darier, SAL didn't ye? Leastwise
you We seen her. Sal was foe gal About Eve
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 swing hog a.
cross her shoulder equal to any man on the
ground. Well, you know, Sal married year be-
fore last, and her husband, Hibbell-you know
Ilibbell lis doin' they tell Inc, as good eroce-
ry business as any man in Kirksyllc Jakey be
went over to see Sal and Hibbel the other day,
and they was a talkin' about this here interest
business, and Sal says to Hibbell, says She"
Never 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 old man produced still another
roll from some secret pocket, which, when count
ed, proved to be the exact amount necessary to
pay the last note when the 4s per cent had been
duly taken OF.
Thompson Pockeied the money, went straight
TO the court house, acknowledged the deed, and
handed it over with only this remark ''You
are the blamdes: old rascal that ever saw -
Lexington, Ky, Gazeue.