The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-02-15
JoHNS0NS FORTUNE.
He Found Oil But Not In Paying
Quantities.

Quantities.
1--WE done my best, mother Farmer
Hobbs said, coming In hot and tired
from the hay field. That there drafted
machine won't work, and ef ! am TO
save my hay, I'll have to take that in
terest 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 goin' to
ret any more. and Johnson is powerful
clost about gettIn' the money on time.
I'd be afeard to let it run over q min
ute
well. but, Lucindy, the hays with
more'n the intrnst, 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 sableeged to have their timothy,
and my timothy Is as hne q piece as
you ever sot eyes on. =
Suppose you try again, Mrs. Hobbs
suggested. helping her husband TO q
luscious quarter of raspberry pie.
"I'll go out with you and help onchoke
her, aud we'll use plenty OF lie. and
mebbe Yon can rub throughjest this
oncet.s
well, I'll try, Lucindy; 1 hain't no
hopes. but would like to save that in
trust money
Mrs. Hobbs stayed Ia the; Aeld
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 watered and fed, the work went
on by the big harvest moon, and at ten
o'clock the hay from the big medder'
wasin the stacks.
a few days after Jim johnson came
out TO see II the interest money was
ready. He tied his horse under tree
and started through the meadow to see
Mr.. Hobbs, who was fencing his riclrs
at the other side.
Moses and the bullrushesl What's
that2' he asked, gazing at glinty blue
reflections floating on pools of water
standing everywhere, for il had rained
heavily the night before. "0il, and no
mistaken he went on, after dipping
his finger into puddle and testing it
carefully with his nose,
II was only the day before that the
papers had containc d 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
vas consequently fabulous " rich.
Johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket handkerchief, slowed the
latter in deep pocket and FASTENED
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. ~ ..'.'~'
What's the matter2 Hain't you well?"
Mr. Hobbs asked, suspending his work
4 to gaze curiously at his visitor "You
look taller-colored as the dead, an
your eyes. s.lilss burnt holes IN a
blanket Z 81 sis''sF
IN NO, thank you, not at all, johnson
replied at random. t'Im quite well,
except husky sore throat-are you
well? And the family3"
Pretty fair-we've got good deal
Of health mixed up amongst us--you
know they's twelve all told. Z
Yes, large, interesting family
want to sell the farln?'
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 reason to cross the field and
see the oil, when his cake would be
dough, " as he mentally expressed it.
No" Mr.. Hobbs replied, shortly, and
went on with his work.
IN give you good price for it
want it for combination shoe factory.
Set figgern
Well. twelve thousand--a thousand
apiece. said Mr.. Hobbs, jolkingIy; the
farm was not worth more than third
Of that sum
"flltake il" with gasp. Heres
fifty to bind the bargain, and I'll FL
out check for the balance right
here"
lie did 50, and handed the paper To
Mr.. Hobbs, who kept his countenance
and received II with perfect gravity.
Privately he was convinced that John.
son was crazy.
$1,000 ~ NAAN hit'uaC FAkltA sign Tine con
tract for the deed. I,
IAN right Y
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 as soon as he was clear o.
the town. why they,s sonethin' in the
wind. i may be a shoe factory, but
don't believe it / wonder ef they'y.
found gold2"
1t don't make no SORT q differenc,
70 US, father" Mrs. Hobbs answered
She was afraid that her husband nigh
take alarm and want to rue back a
she expressed it mo, IL don't make
grain o difference to us an we've 90
enough for the place ef they fin
dimints Ineyer did like it, an / don