Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-03-28
JoHNsoN's FORTUNE.

Il1G NAY LSlus Ilt1I OEdtlC0 G11lA-
chine won't work, and eff am to save
my hay, I'll have to take that intrust
money and buy new machine.
'' think you'd better not, father,
Mrs. Hobbs answered, in mild alarm.
T" don't know where you're goin' to
get any more, and johnson is powerful
close about gettin' the money on time.
I'd be afeared to let it run over min
ute"
q Well, but. Lucindy, the hays with
more'n the intrust, and you know they's
no taiin' the stock through the winter
without it. The cattle might kinder
rub along, but the horses is jist plum
obleeged to have their timothy, and my
timothy is as fne piece as you ever sot
eyes on"
Suppose you try again, Mrs. Hobbs
suggested, helping her husband to
luscious quarter of raspberry pie. I'm
go out with you and help onchoke her,
and we'll use plenty of lie, and mebbe
you can rub through jest this oncet.'"
't Well, I'll try, Luciady; hain't no
hopes, but would like to save that in
trust money"
Mr.. Hobbs stayed in the field till 8
O'Clock, and the hay was cut with few de-
lays. 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 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 a tree
and started through the meadow to see
Mr.. Hobbs, who was fencing his ricks
at the other side.
- Moses and the bu1lrushesR What's
thatf" 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
mistake r. he went on, after dipping his
finger into puddle and testing it care
fully with his nose. EW
It 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 conse-
quently fabulously rich.
johnson carefully rubbed his finger on
his pocket handkerchief, slowed the lat
ter in deep pocket and hastened across
the field, his face pale and his eyes gilt
tering 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 matterf Hain't you
wellf'' Mr.. Hobbs asked, suspending his
work to gaze curiously at his visitor.
You look taller colored as the dead,
an your eyes is like burnt holes in q
blanket
{" No, thank you, not at all, . johnson
replied at random. " I'm quite well,
except husky sore throat-are you wellf
And the fanily1"
Pretty fair-we've got a good deal
OF health mixed up amongst us-you
know they's twelve all told. "
Yes, large, interesting family
want to sell the farmP'
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 sec the oil, when
his "cake would be dough-" as he
mentally expressed it.
No" Mr.. Hobbs replied shortly, and
went on with his work.
I'm give you a good price for til
want it for combination shoe factory.
Set figger.'
well, twelve thousand-a Thousand
apiece, p said Mr.. Hobbs, jokingly; the
farm was not worth more than third
of that sum.
.'In take it with a gasp). Here's
fifty to bind the bargain, and III FILL out
\ q 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.
''Come to the house and sign the con-
tract for the deed.
"Al 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 S12, COO in
the bank
Sense that johnson hain't crazy, .,
Hobbs began as soon as he was clear of
the town, why, they's something in
the wind. 1t may be shoe factory, but
1 don't believe it. wonder ef they've
found gold1''
i
MS, father" Mrs Hobbs answered. She
was afraid that her husband might take
alarm and want TO q rue back, !" as she
expressed it. No, it don't make a
grain o. difference to us. an we've got
enough for the place eff they find dimints.
I never did like it, an don't keer how
soon We git away. Let's huy back our
six acres ON the edge of Cloyerdale. We
can git it for three thousand, and then
you'll have nine thousand to put out al
interest"
Yes, mother"
"And we kin git little Jim his cornet
and send him of to be learnt to play"
i You Kim do jista as you please. mother,
1 I'm rich enough now, reckon, to do as
] like. and hope won't never want 70
do nothin' very bad .
That's somethin' you never did do,