The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-06-30
An Innocent Granger.

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Pa, and would be know, at least by rep
utation, to many Of our readers were his
right name given. But the incident we
now relate, though coming to us in re-
liable way, was known to few outside of
his neighborhood. Farmer Smith lived in
quiet way, and was supposed to have
accumulated something ahead, besides a
pretty good farm. After his second son
had been married about year, he conclud-
ed to settle near the old mans, If he could
rent a place.
Hearing of this, Mr.. Thompson-a
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 Sc
curity, and he was moreover considered a
pretty shrewd trader He 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 'Jak-
ey, 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 remained unpaid if his son should
fail. What seemed to startle the old fell
low was the twelve per cent. interest that
Thompson insisted upon demanding.
Finally, however, after great deal of
talk, the price was agreed on at twenty
thousand dollars, one-fifth cash, and 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
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 enough to Thompson,
and he could not object to its insertion in
the contract, and so the document was
signed in duplicate. The deed was to be
ready, the notes drawn, and the first pay
ment made on the following Saturday.
When the time arrived, both were
punctually on hand, the first four thousand
was paid, and the notes were ready for
signature. H r.t
" Mr.. Thompson, said farmer Smith,
GIVE been thinking about that interest,
aud it seemed skeery, SO l thought I'd
gether in some little money had out,
and"-pulling from his breast pocket a
roll of money-"jist count that"
The money was counted, and, with
twelve per cent. off, the first note was
paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the mon
ey again said Smith;
"Pve got son livin' in Missouri, Mr..
Thompson, and as soon as he heard that l
was buyin' farm for Jakey, he sent me a
little money"--pulling a roll from his right
side breeches pocket" so, whatever
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 of, just paid the
note to cent
"Well, that's luck" resumed the old
man, "and now, Mr.. Thompson, the old
woman has been selling right smart of but
ter and eggs, and some chickens now and
then, when they came round the country
a-buying, and she told me this mornin'
that better take what she had, and may
be it wouldn't come amiss." o lI n rr.
L
A roll was produced from the left side
breeches pocket, and, when counted, just
paid the third note after the thirty-six per
cent. interest was deducted, and Thompson
said not word. Smith seemed to be con-
sidering for some minutes, and then, rails
ing his head, said as though a sudden
thought had struck him.
"You knowed my darter Sal, didn't ye ?
leastwise you've seen her. Sal was a fine
gal. About five years ago, at hog-killin'
time, one of my hands tuck sick, and what
docs Sal do but turn in and help us, and
tell you, she could sling hog across her
shoulder equal to any man on the ground.
well, you know, Sal married year be-
fore last, and her husband, Hibbell--you
know Hibbell-is dom they tell me, as
good grocery business as any man in
Kirksville. Jakey, he went over to see
Sal and Hibbell the other day, and they
was talkin' about this here interest busi-
ness, and Sal says to Hibbell, says She"
Never mind what they said, Mr..
Smith," said Mr.. Thompson, "just hand
over the money you were going to say they
sent you" ungoJ
And. sure enough. the old man nrndnoed