The midland journal., 1892-12-30
JOHNSON'S FORTUNE.

from the hay field. That there drafted
machine won't work, and ef 1 am to
save my hay I'll have to take that in.
terest money and buy new machine.
Il think you'd better not, father"
Mrs. Hobbs answered, in mild alarm.
Il don't know where you're goin' to
get any more, and johnson is powerful
clost about gettin' the money on time.
I'd be afeared to let it run over min.
ute"
well, but Iiucindy, the hays wuth
more'n the intrust, and you know they's
no takin' the stock through the winter
without it. The cattle might kinder
rub along, but the horses is jist plum
ableeged to have their timothy, and my
timothy is as fine piece as you ever
sot eyes on.
Suppose you try again, Mrs. Hobbs
suggested, helping her husband to
luscious quarter of raspberry pie. Iii
go out with you and help uncboke her,
and we'll use plenty of lie, and mebbe
you can rub through jest this oncet."
We'll, I'll try, Lucindy,; 1 hain't
no hopes, but would like to save that
in'rust money"
Mr.. Hobbs stayed in the field till 5
O'Clock, and the hay was cut with few
delays. The girls brought out the sup
per, which was eaten with much relish
IN the bayfield,. The horses being
watered and fed, the work went ON by
the big harvest moon, and at 10 o'clock
the hay from the ''big medder' was in
the stacks.
A few days after Jim johnson came
out to see if the interest money was
ready. He tied his horse under a tree
and started through the meadow to see
Mr.. Hobbs. who was fencing his risks
at the other side.
"Moses and the bullrushes WHAT'S
that 2 he asked, gazing at glinty blue
reflections floating on pools of water
everywhere, for it had rained heavily
the night before. "Oil, and no mis-
take r he went on, after dipping his
finger into puddle and testing it care
fully with his nose.
1t was only the day before that the
papers had contained an account of
some new oil fields fcand not above
twenty miles away an old partner of
Jim had been the first to invest, and
was consequently fabulously rich.
johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket handkerchief, slowed the
latter in deep pocket and hastenel
across the field, his face pale and his
eyes glittering very unpleasantly. He
tried to greet the farmer with his ac-
customed familiarity, but his words
came by jerks and in gusts, and his
throat became so dry that he could
scarcely articulate.
Whats the matter? Hain't you
well?" Mr.. Hobbs asked, suspending
his work to gaze curiously At his visitor.
You look taller colored as the dead,
an your eyes is like burnt holes in a
blanket"
mo, thank you, not at all, johnson
replied at random. "Im quite we'll,
except husky sore throat--are you well9
And the family?"
Pretty fair-we've got a good deal
of health mixed up amongst us-you
know they's twelve all told"
Yes, large, interesting family
WanJ TO sell Tue 1arm!
He tried to make the question less
eager, but he could not quiet the tremor
in his voice, and he was in mortal dread
lest Mr. Hobbs should have some rea-
son to cross the field and see the oil.
when his "cake would be dough-" as lie
mentally expressed it.
No." Mr.. Hobbs replied shortly,
and went on with his work,
I'll give you good price for it
want it for combination shoe factory.
Set fgger."
We'll, twelve thousands thousand
apiece" said Mr.. Hobbs, jokingly; the
farm was not worth more than a third
of that sum.
"I'll take it with gasp). There's
fifty to bind the bargain, and I'll fill
out check for the balance,right here"
He did so, and handed the paper to
Mr.. Hobbs, who kept his countenance
and received it with perfect gravity.
Privately he was convinced that John
son was crazy.
Come to the house and sign the con.
tract for the deed."
nAll right"
Mr.. and Mrs. Hobbs accompanied
johnson to town, and We're thunder
struck when they learned that the sale
was real and that they had $12, 900 in
the bank.
Sense that johnson hain't crazy"
Hobbs began as soon as he was clear of
the town, why, they's something in
the wind. 1t may be a shoe factory,
but l don't believe it I wonder eff
they's found gold q
1T don't make no sort o. difference to
us, father" Mrs. Hobbs answered. She
was afraid that her husband might take
alarm and want to run back, as she ex-
pressed it. mo, it don't make grain
of difference to US, an we've got enough
for the place Of they find dimints. I
never did like it, an l don't keer how
soon we git away. Let's buy back oun
six acres on the edge of Cloyerdale.'
We can git it for three thousand, and
then you'd have nine thousand to put
out at interest"
"Yes, mother.
"And we kin git little Jim his cornet
and send him off to be learnt to play"
You kin do jis as you please. mother.
I'm rich enough now, reckon, to do as
/ like, and hope ] won't never want to
do anythin', very bad"
That's somethin'' you never did do,
father" dutifullY replied his wife, .and
] don't helieye hem rich Is a-goin' to
Channe Won much IF n would I'll