The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-06-05
BEATEN Ar ms own GAME.
An rsssee~s ara~gevs Encounter with
Q Money Lender.

A. Innocent 0raugev's Eneounter win
nssey-Iewder.
Farmer Smith lived in quiet way,
and was supposed to have accumulated
something ahead, besides having pretty
good farm. After his second son had
been married about year, he concluded
to settle near his fathers residence IL he
could rent place.
Hearing Of this Mr.. Thompson
thought that there might be chance to
sell certain place on pretty fair terms.
Mr.. Thompson was a money-lender. and
nothing suited him so well as good inter
est, backed by good security; and he
was moreover generally considered
pretty good trader.
lie rode over to see old man Smith,
but the farmer said he did not feel able
to buy--he might buy on a 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 him
self il the trade was made, but his son
was a good farmer, and, he thought, it
would 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 twelve per cent. interest that
Thompson wanted.
Finally, however, after great deal Of
talk, the price was agreed on at twenty
thousand dollars one-ffth cash and note
at one, two, three and four years, with
twelve per cent. interest for the remain.
der. The contract was drawn, and they
were about to sign, when the farmer sug'
gested that if he should at any time gel
any more money than was due on the
notes he wanted to be allowed to pay it,
and count off the twelve pei cent. The
proposition seemed reasonable enough to
Thompson, and he could not object to it:
insertion in the contract, and so the doc
ument was signed in duplicate. The
deed was to be ready, the notes drawn
and the first payment made On the fol
lowing Saturday.
When the time arrived, both wert
punctually on hand, the first $4,000 Wa
paid, and the notes were ready for sigma
ture. "Mr. Thompson" said Farmer
Smith, 1--WE been thinking about that
interest, and it seemed skerry, SO
thought Id gather in some little money
l had out, and pay part Of it, and [pull
ing from his pocket roll Of money just
count that"
The money was counted, and, with
twelve per cent. off, the note was paid.
When Thompson bad pocketed the
money, again Smith said: 1--WE got q
son liv ing in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson
and as he heard | was buyin' farm fol
Jakey, he sent me a little money, [pull
ing roll from his right side breeche'
pocket and so what it is, we'll credit il
on the next note, if you have no object
IONS" Again the MONIES. was counted.
and xith>e<-9ar- csnt- Il. Just paid thu
note to q cent.
"Well, that's luck" resumed the olC
man land now, Mr.. Thompson, thu
old woman has been selling right smar
of butter and aigs, and some chickens
now and then, when they come arounc
the country a buying, and she told INT
this mornin' that had better take wha
she had, and maybe it wouldn't CONT
aniss." A roll was produced from thu
left side of the breeches pocket, and wher
counted, just paid the third note aftel
SO per cent. was deducted, and Thomp
son said not word.
Smith seemed to be considering fol
some minutes, and then, raising his head
said, as though sudden thought struck
him: "You knowed my darter Sal
didn't ye? Leastwise you've seen her
Sal was fine gal. About five year
ago, at hog-killin' time, one o my hand
tuck sick, and what does Sal do but turf
in and help US, and, tell you, she coulC
sling hog across her shoulder equal t.
AIRY man on the ground.
"Well, you know Sal married yea
before last, and her husband Hibbell-
YOU know Hbbell-is doin', they tell me
as good grocery business as any maj
IN Kirksville. Jakey he went over Il
see Sal and Hibbell the other day, ant
they was thinkin' about this here interes
business, and Sal says to Hibbell, say
she"
Never mind what they said, MIR
Smith, broke in Thompson; Just ham
over the money you we're going to sa.
they sent you" And sure enough tn
old man produced still another roll from
a secret pocket which, when counted
proved to be the exact amount necessar..
to pay off the last note when the forty
, ight per cent. had been duly taken off.
Thompson pocketed the money wen
straight to the courthouse, acknow ledge'
the deed, and handed it over with onl.
this remark: "You are the biggest oil
rascal ever saw