The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-01-02
AN INNOCENT GRANGER.

farmer-we call him Smith, Tor short,
lives in Madison county, Kentucky, 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 outsiders in his neighbor-
hood. Farmer Smith lived in qniet way,
and was supposed to have accumulated
something ahead, besides having a pretty
married about year, he concluded to set
tie near the old mans, if he could rent
place.
Hearing of this, Mr.. Thompson-again
we withhold the true name-thought there
might be chance to sell place on pretty
fair terms. Mr.. Thompson was money
loaner, and nothing suited him SO well as
good interest, backed by good security, and
he was moreover, generally considered
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
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
himself if the trade was made, but his son
was good farmer, and, he thought 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 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 punct-
ually on hand, the first four thousand was
paid, and the notes were ready for sigma
ture.
"Mr. Thompson said Farmer Smith,
GIVE been thinking about that interest,
and it seemed skerry, | thonght I'd
ee.her in some little money | had cut, and
pay my part of it pulling from his breast
pocket IA roll of money" jist count that"
The money was counted, with twelve per
cent off, the first note was paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the money.
again Smith said:
give got a son livin' in Missouri. Mr..
Thompson, and as soon as he heard l was
buyin' farm for Jakey, he sent me a little
money pulling roll from his right side
breeches pocket" so whatever it is,
we'll credit 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 a 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
l better take what she had, and maybe it
wouldn't come amiss.'
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-
sdering for some minutes, and then. rails
ing his head. said, as though sudden
thought struck him:
You knowed my darter Sal, didn't We?
-leastwise you have seen her-Sal was a
fine gal About five years ago, at hog
KILN time, ons of the hands tuck sick, and
what ,ioes Sal do but turn in and help US,
aud tell you, she could sling hog across
her shoulder equal to any man on the
ground. Well, you know, Sal married
year before last, and her husband, Hibbell
you know Hibbell-s doin, they tell me-
rs good grocery business as any man in
kirksville. Jakey he went over to see Sal
and Hibbell the other day, and they was a
talkin' about this here interest, and Sal
says to Hibbell, says she
Never mind what they said, Mr.. Smith,"
broke in Thompson, lust 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 counted, proved 10 be the
exact amount necessary to pay off the last
note when the forty-eight Ter cent had
been taken off.
Thompson pocke;ed the money, went
straight to the court house, acknowledged
the deed, and handed it over with only this
remark:
''You are the greatest rascal l ever saw !"