The National tribune., 1893-09-21
THE
'Doct;KER:: {;
J. A. BoLLEs.

needed tho shears of a. barber, and was other
/, wise rather uncomely in appearance. in spite
of the broadcloth Sunday suit which he had
donned for the OCCASION.
But he was a very shrewd individual, his
ability being especially respected by those who
had tried to get the better of him in horse
trades.
On the return from the village Amos pointed
toward the Benton residence aud said:
There's the finest house there is in these
in IT," he added. with a smile, "bocause the
ysung man Pve seen ye driyin' with Of late
lives there"
"Yes," replied Miss Archmuty, cool1y.
hr. Nerthrop was quick TO perceive the an
noyancs which she betrayed, and shrewdy
planned his next words to suit the situation.
Miss Archmuty, don't want to interfere
with anything that is none of my business.
But l like yeu fust rate, ysu're bright aud
sensible girl. If ye be from the city, and as 8
friend I'd like to give you leetle good advice,
which, although it may sting ye at fust, you'll
thank me fer later. May speak,"
Certainly" replied ths girl, who was i'm
pressed with his sincere manner.
well. Pm sorry TO say it, but this young
Benton As is payin' ye attentions, and his father
are two of the worst tobacco deckers in these
parts. There's 40 honor in 'em."
Miss Archmuty's checks flushed, but she
nerved herself to learn more
What do you mean by tobacco docking :? +"
she asked.
" Folks around here know we'll enough what
it means. Dockin' came about in this way:
" In order to get into their hands the best
crops. greedy and INSCRIPTIONS dealers or mid
dle-men went out into the country early in the
season and engaged crops of the farmers at
high prices, while the tobacco was still standin
in tho fields. The farmers took the bit and
sold their crops, agreein' to deliver them in a
merchantable condition.
Usually the agreement was verbal, some
times written contracts was made, but 30
loosely drawn that the buyers could find hole
to creep out of on day of settlement
Now, tobacco in the field aud tobacco strip
ped and in the bundle, when bought, may be
altogether different. fine crop purchased in
the field may afterwards git hai-cut or be frost
bitten, or may show white veins, or fat butts,
or pole-burn. There never was an absolutely
perfect crop delivered at the warehouse, but
the honest buyer, when there's only leete
damage, makes but small dock. payin' the
raiser what is bis due; full price for the good,
lower price for the somewhat damaged, while
the worst IS rejected entirely, the farmer
rightly bearn' the loss.
1" But this rascally buyer when he ought to
dock $50, docks 500, 5000, or even $500, per-
haps, on crop Of tobacco valued, if all good,
at 81, Goo
But the devil leads the dishonest buyer
still further. At fust he kinder DOCKS acci-
dentally, TO save himself then he finds how
well it pays and becomes actooalIy diabolical
at it, lie systematizes the cussed practice,
hndin that by dOckin' $50 off this farmer, 500
off another, and so on. he can make big lot of
money besides his reg'lar profits on what he
does pay for.
"He sits down and calk' 'lates when he buys his
next tobacco to dock his % aud 30 per cent. off
the crops of all farmers that be dare try it on.D
Do you mean to say" said Miss Archmuty,
that Mr. Benton docks in this dreadful man
ner2"
II do. That ere fine house which You ad-
miro so much was, accordin' to my best belief
paid for by money made by outrageous dockn'"
Amos then explained to Miss Archmuty what
the peculiar circumstances of the business were
which induced farmers to continue selling to
dishonest buyers. and why all of the crops could
not readily be sold to honest buyers alone. He
also informed her THAT there were few lawsuits
because the buyers dealt fairly with the we'll
TODD aud Influential farmers, and cheated only
those who were too poor to seek legal redress.
When they arrived q; the Crandall house, Miss
Archmuty thanked Mr.. Northrop for his infor-
nation, and as she afterward ascertained that
he was man of the highest integrity she was
not long IN doubt as to the course she ought to
pursue with Mr.. Benton. When he next called,
she told him that she had learned that he was
not honorable in his business methods, and that
she did not wish their acquaintance to con-
tinue.
The young man vehemently maintained that
he had been basely slandered by some ono. He
asked her who her informant was, but sho
firmly refused to tell him. He then departed
IN rage, and they did not meet again that
Summer.
Early in the Fall Miss Archmuty returned
to her home in New York. At her departure