St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-12-24
JOHNSON'S FORTUNE.

-Women's Journal
JOHNSON'S FORTUNE.
He Found on. But Not In Payin
Quantities
'Tve done my best, mother" Farme
Hobbs said, coming in hot and tire,
from the hay field. That there dratte
machine won't work, and ef am 4
save my hay, Til have to take that in
tercst money and buy . new machine.
Il think you'd better not, father,
Mrs. Hobbs answered, in mild alarm
II don't know where you're Roins Il
get any more, and johnson ID powerful
clost about gcttin' the money on time
Id be afcard to let it run over . min
ute"
"Wcll. but, Lacindy. the hays wutl
more'n the intrust, and you know
thcy's no takin' the stock through ths
winter without. it. The cattle might
kinder rub along, but the horses is jisi
plum ableegcd to have their timothy,
and my timothy is as flne . piece q
you ever sot eyes on" - - ...
Suppose you try again. Mrs Hobbs
suggested. helping her husband to q
luscious quarter Of raspberry pie.
''Ill go out with You and help onchoke
her. and we'll use plenty of lie. and
mebbe you can rub through Jest this
oncet."
We'll. I'll try. Lucindy; I hain't no
hopes, but would like to save that in
trust money"
Mrs. Hobbs stayed in the field till
five o'clock. and the hay was cut with
few delays The girls brought out the
supper. which was eaten with much
relish in the bayfield, The horses
being watcred and fed. the work went
on by the big harvest moon, and 1t ten
o'clock the hay from the big medder"
was in the stacks
A few days after Jim johnson cams
out to see it the interest money w>s
ready. He tied his horse under . tree
and started through the meadow to sec
Mr.. Hobbs, who was fencing his ricks
n the other side.
Moses and tho bullrushes! WHAT'S
that?" he asked. gazing at glinty blue
reflections floating ON pools of water
standing everywhere, for it had rained
heavily the night before. ''Oil, and no
mistaken he went on. after dipping
his finger into o puddle and testing Il
carefully with his nose.
1t was Nply the day before that the
papers had containe d an account Of
some new oil fields found not above
twenty miles away; IN old partner of
Jim had been the frst to invest, and
VAS consequently fabulously " rich.
johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket handkerchief. slowed the
latter in a deep pocket and FASTENED
across the field. his face pale and his
eyes glittering very unpleasantly. He
tried to greet the farmer with his &C.
customed familiarity. but his words
came by jerks and in gusts, and his
throat became SO dry that he could
scarcely articulate.
''What's the matter? Hain't you well?"
Mr.. Hobbs asked. suspending his work
to gaze curiously at his visitor. "You
look taller-colored rs the dead, an
your eyes is like burnt holes in .
blanket"
''No. thank you, not It al, ;" johnson
replied at random. I'm quite well.
except husky sore throat-are you
we'll? And the family?'
Pretty fair-we'vc got . good deal
OF health mixed up amongst us-you
know they's twelve all told"
"ies, a large, interesting family
want to sell the farm?"
He tried to make the question less
eager, but he could not quiet the
trcnor in his voice, and he WAS in |
mortal dread lest Mr.. Hobbs should |
have some reason to cross the field and |
see the oil. when his ''calke would be |
dough" rs he mentally expressed it.
'No," Mr.. Hobbs replied, shortly, and |
went ON with his work.
''Tll give you . good price for i'll |
want it for . combination shoe factory. |
Set figgcr."
"well, twelve thousand-a thousand |
apiece. said Mr.. Hobbs, iokingiy; the
farm was not worth more than . third /
Of that sum.
"rll take it" with gasp. Heres
fifty to bind the bargain. and I'll fill
Oot . CAlCCA AVt vic O0t00CS I1R0t
here"
He did 50. and handed the paper 70
Mr.. Hobbs, who kept his countenance
and received it with perfect gravity.
Privately he was convinced that John.
son was crazy.
Come 10 the house and sign tho Coz
tract for the deed"
IAN right"
Mr.. and Mrs Hobbs accompanied
Johnson to town, and were thunder.
struck when they learned that the sale
was real, and that they had twelve
thousand dollars in the bank.
''Sense that johnson hain't crazy"
Hobbs began rs soon Is he WAS clear Of
he town. why they's somethin' in the
vind. II may bo = shoe factory. but
lou't believe it I wonder ef they've
ound gcld?"
ut don't make no sort o difference
o us, father" Mira Hobbs answered.
'hc was afraid that her husband might
axe alarm and want to rue back" as
he expressed it. 40. it don't make y
rain o. difference to rs. an we've got
nough for the place ct they find
Ii:nints. never did like it. an don't 4