The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-05-28
Thursday, Nay 2s, 1874.
AN INNOCENT GRANGER.
How Farmer Smith, Of Madison, oue"i'''" I"
Money-Lender.
From the Lexington (Ky) Gazette:

From the Lexington (KyD Gazette:
A forr,er we will call him Smith tor
short-lives in Madison county, and would
he Known at least by reputation, to many
of orr readers, were his right name given.
Rut the incident we now relate, though
coming to us in reliable way, was known
TO few outside of his neighborhood. Farm
or Smith lived in quiet way, and was sup
posed to have accumulated something
ahead besides having pretty good farm;
After his second son had been married
about year, he concluded to settle near
the old mans, if he could rent a 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
money-loaner, and nothing suited him so
well as good interest, backed by good secu-
Tity; and he was, moreover, generally con-
sidered pretty shrewd trader. He rode
over to see old man Smith, but the old man
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. dis
son "Jakey," he said, would have to pay
for the farm himselfif 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 fol
what remained unpaid if his son should
fail. What seemed to startle the old fellow
was II per cent interest that Thompson
wanted.
Finally, however, after a great deal o.
talk, the price was agreed on at $4,000
one-fifth cash, and notes at one, two, three
aud four years, with II per cent Interest
from date for the remainder. The con
tract was drawn, and they were about tC
sign, when the farmer suggested that if he
should at any time get any more money
than was due on the notes, he wanted t.
be allowed to pay it, and count
off the II per cent. The proposition
seemed to be reasonable enough to Thomp
son, and he could not object to it's insertion
in the contract, and so the document wa
signed in duplicate The deed was to b
ready, and the notes drawn, and the frs
payment made on the following Saturday
When the time arrived, both we're pune
tually on hand, the first $4,000 was paid
and the notes we're ready for signature
Mr.. Thompson" said farmer Smith
I've been thinking, about that interest
and it seemed skerry, 50 | thought |,
gether in some little money | had out, an
pay part of it, and pulling from hi
breast pocket roll of money-'jlst coun
that"
The money was counted and with - pc
cent off the first note was paid
When Thompson had ppykcted the mon
ey, again Smith said: I've got a son liy
in in Missouri, Mr.. Thompson, and as 500
as he heard was buyin farm for Jakey
he send me a little money pulling rol
from his right side breeches pOcket-''an
so whatever it is we II credit it on the mex
note, it you have no objection" Agai
the money was counted, and with, the 2
per cent off, Just paid the note to a cent
We'll, that 5 luck, resumed the oil
man land now, Mr.. Thompson, the Cl
woman has been selling right smart Of but
ter and aigs, and some chickens now ant
then, when they come round the countr
a buying, aud she told me this morniI
that | better take what she had, and may
be 1t wouldn come amiss. A roll va
produced from the left side brooches pocl
ct, and when counted, just paid the thin
note after the 80 per cent was deducted
and Thompson said not a word Smit
seemed to be considering for some mil
utes, and then, raising his head, said 9
though a sudden though a sudden though
struck him: You knowed my darte
bdl. uluu L yt l1CdSbhlSt Nbu We SGT
her. Sal was a fine gal About five yea
ago, at hog-killin' time, one o my hanC
tuck sick, and what does Sal do but tur
in and help US, and | tell you ST
could sling hog across her should
equal to AIRY man on the ground. Well,yC
know, Sal married year before last, al
her husband Hibbell--you know Hibbell
is doin', they tell me, as good a groce
business as any man in kirksville. Jak,
ne went over to see Sal and Hibbell ii
other day, and they was a talkin' abo
this here interest business. and Sal says
Hlbbell, says she
Never mind what they said, Mr. Smith
broke in Thompson, Just hand over d
money you were going to say they sc
you. And sure enough the old man pr
duced still another roll from some seer
pocket, which, when counted, proved to
the exact amount necessary TO pay of Il
last note when the As per cent had be
duly taken off.
Thompson pocketed the money, we
straight to the Court house, acknowledg
the deed, and handed it over. with or
this remark You are the d-st rasca
ever saw