The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-03-09

hdNC W udhV bHdJ luLtTcSb hOHcy anu
buy new machine"
IL think you'd better not, father"
Mrs. Hobbs answered in mild alarm.
II 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 a minute"
"Well, but, Lucindy, the hay is with
more'n the intrust, and you know
they's no tallin' the stock through the
winter without it. The cattle might
kinder rub along, but the horses is list
plum ableegcd 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
60 luscious quarter of raspberry pie
>'Fll go out with you and help uncholie
her, and we'll use plenty of lie and
mebhe you can rub through jest this
onct"
We'll. I'll try, Lucindy; haiu't no
hopes, but ! would like to save that IN
trust money"
Mr.. HOBBS 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
in the bayfield,. 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 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 tree
and started through the meadow to sec
Mr. Hobbs, who was fencing his riclls
at the other side.
"Moses and the 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.
"Oh, and no mistake!" he went OF
after dipping his finger into 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 conseq uently fabuously rich.
Johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket. handkerchief, slowed
the latter in deep pocket and FASTENED
across the 1e!d, his face pale ana bis
eye glittering very unpleasantly.
He tried to greet the farmer with his
accustomed 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 Wis
itor. You look taller-colored as the
dead, an your eyes is like burnt holes
in a blanket"
"No, thank you, not at all" johnson
cept husky sore throat-are you well?
And the family?
Pretty fair-we've got a 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 to 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 lie men
tally expressed it.
No" Mr. Hobbs replied shortly,
and went on with his work.
I'm give you a good price for it,
want it for combination shoe factory.
Set Il tigger."
well, twelve thodsand-a thousand
apiece said Mr.. Hobbs, jollingIy; the
farm was not worth more than third
of that sum.
I'm take ii with gasp. Here's
nifty dollars to bind the bargain and I'll
NIL ont check for the balance right
here"
lie did so, and handed the paper to
Mr; Hobbs who kept his countenance
ana received it with perfect gravity.
r"ateiy he was convinced that John
"on was crazy.