The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-01

/ buy new machine"
II think 20 better not, father, y
Mrs. Hobb lswered in mild alarm.
Il don't -ow 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
nore'n the intrust, and you know
! they's no talkin' the stock through the
| winter without it. The cattle might
kinder rub along, but the horses is jist
| plum ableeged 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
to a luscious quarter of raspberry pie.
her, and Well use plenty of lie and
mebbe you can rub through jest this
onct"
We'll, I'll try, Lucindy; hain't no
hopes, but l 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
and started through the meadow to see
Mr.. Hobbs. who was fencing his ricks
at the other side.
Moses and the b ullrushes. What's
that?" he asked. gazing at glinty blue
reflections floating en- pools OF water
standing everywhere, for it had rained
heavily the night before.
"Oil, and no mistake,' he went on,
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 Odd partner of
was conseq uently fabulously rich.
johnson carefully rubbed his finger
on his pocket handkerchief. slowed
the latter in a deep pocket and FASTENED
across the field, his face pale and his
eye glittering very unpleasantly-
He tried to greet the farmer with his
accustomed familiarity, but his words
came by jerks aud in gusts. and his
throat became so dry that he could
scarcely articulate.
whats the matter? Hain't you
weIl?' 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 blanket"
mo, thank you. not at all, Johnson
replied at random. I'm quite well ex-
cept husky sore throat-are you we'll?
And the famiiy?"
Pretty fair-we've got good deal
Of health mixed up amongst us-you
know they's twelve all told
Yes. a large. interesting family
want to sell the farm"
He tried to make the question less
eager. but he cou Id 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 DC dough" as he men
tally expressed it
No Mr.. Hobbs replied shortly,
and went on with bis work.
'fll give you good price for it,
want il for com bination shoe factory.
Set iicger"
We'll. twelve Thousands thousand
apiece. said Mr. Hobbs. jokingiy; the
farm was not worth more than third
of tina, sum.
IN take II with a gasp. Here's
fifty dollars to bind the bargain and I'll
fill out check for the balance right
mere"
He did so. and handed the paper 70
Mr.. Hobbs, who kept his countenance
and received 1t with perfect gravity.
Privately ne was convinced that john
son was crazy.
Come 20 the house and sign the con-
tract for the decd
All rlrnt
MIR. aud Mrs Hobbs accompanied
johnson 10 town and were thunder
struck when they learned that The sale
was real and that they bad twelve
thousand dollars in the bank
Sense tia. johnson ham, crazy"
HOODS began a. soon a. ne was Gear
Of the town, why. ;hev's something
IL the wina- Il may ~ shoe factory,
6ut don't oelicve l. wo1cer II