The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-05

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work, and ef am to save my hay I'll
have to take that interest money and
buy new machine"
II think you'd better not. father"
Mrs. Hobbs answered in mild alarm.
II don't know where you're roin'
to get any more, and johnson is
powerful clost about gcttin the money
on time. I'd be afcared to let it run
over Il minute"
well, but, Lucindy, the hay is wuth
morc'n the intrust. and you know
thcy's no takin' the stock through the
winter without it. The cattle might
kinder rub along, but the horses is list
plum ableeged to have their timothy,
and my timothy is as fine n piece as
you ever sot eyes on
Suppose you try again" Mrs.
Hobbs suggested, helping her husband
to luscious quarter of raspberry pic.
"l'll go out with you and help unchoke
her, and we'll use plenty of lie and
mcbhc yor can rub through Jest this
Onct.
We'll, I'll try, Lucindy; hain't no
hopes, but i would like to save that in
trust money
Mr.. HOODS staid in the field till five
o'clock and the hay was cut with few
delays. The girls brought out the sup
per, which was eaten with much relish
i'll the hay field. The horses being wa
tered and fed, the work went on by the
big harvest moon, and at 10 o'clock the
hay from the big mcddcr'' was in the
stacks.
few days AFTER Jim Johnson came
out to sec If the interest money was
ready. lie tied his horse under a tree
and started through the meadow to see
Mr.. Hobbs, who was fencing his riclss
at the other side.
Moses and the bullrushcs! What's
that?" he asked, gazing at glinty blue
reflections floating on pools of water
standing everywhere, for it had raiped
heavily the night before.
'Oil, and no mistake!" he went on.
after dipping his finger into a puddle
and testing it carefully with his nose.
1t was only the day before that the
papers had contained an account of
Some new oil fields found not above
twenty miles away; an old partner of
Jim had been the first to invest, and
was conscq ucntly fabulously rich.
johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket handkerchief, slowed
the latter III deep pocket and hastened
across the field, his face pale and his
eye glittcring very unplcas:%uy.
He tried TO greet the farmer with his
accustomed familiarity, bnt his words
came by jerks and in gusts, and his
throat became So dry that he could
scarcely articulaie.
"What's the matter? ITaint you
wsli"' Mr.. Hobbs asked, suspcnding
his work to gaze curionsly al his Wis
itor. Non look taller-colorcd rs the
dead an your eyes is like burnt holes
in blanket
NO, thank you, not at ALL" johnson
replied at random I'm quite wer en-
cept husky sore throat-arc Won wello
And the famly?"
Pretty 1air-weve got good deal
OF health mixed up amongst us-you
know thcy's twelve all told"
Yes, large, interesting family
want to sell the FARM"
lie tried 10 make the question less
eager. but he could not quiet the trcmor
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 cake would be dough-" as he men
tally expressed it,
No" Mr.. Hobbs replied shortly,
and went on with his work
IN give YOU a good price for TT
want it for Z combination shoe factory.
Set tigger."
We'll, twelve thousand-a thousand
apiece" said Mr.. Hobbs. jokingly; the
farm was not worth more than n third
of that sum.
"I'll take il with a gasp. Here's
fifty dollars to bind the bargain and I'll
fill out a 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. :,