The Monitor-register., 1897-02-12
OLD BADGERS MORTGAGE.
BY GEORGE H. HEPwoRTH.

AAAAAiohc u Jul s6b butlI liVlDR
out of the soil.
Ephraim Titus was among the mum ber.
He owned one hundred Of the best acres
in Vermont. A part of it was good
pasture land aud furnished grazing for
the ten COWS, which made churniug one
of the chief employments of the little
household. There were thirty acres of
woodland-beech, maple and oak-which
Ephraim hoped would turn in a pretty
penny in the course of tie next ten years; :;
and there was swale laud, running along
the bank of the river, which gave him
the finest crop of cran5erTies in that
neighborhood.
But farmers If, thongh said by
romancers and idealists aud poets to be
the most independent 10 the world, aud
therefore the most desirable, is full Of
uncertainties and anxieties. The man
who views farm from the standpoint of
a cozy and luxurionsly furnished study,
who writes about lowing herds and the
fragrance of new-mown hay after dipping
his pen in bis Imagination, gives us a
picture which no more resembles the
reality than hump-backed Richard
resembled the Apollo Belvidere.
The truth is that farming depends as
much ou chance as rouge ct aoir does; for
the farmer puts his toll on the table of
fate every spring, and wagers that in
October he will have his barn and corn
bin full If he wins he is fortunate
only that and nothing more; for he is
dependent upon sunshine and rain, upon
oalms and billiards, upon blue skies and
hailstorms A single untimely frost
may empty his pockets and blast his
hopes.
Ephram was a model farmer, His
fences were always in good order, the
pigs had the aristooratic air which indi-
Gates full trough. Their grunt was
one of entire satisfaction; and as they
were ignorant of the fact that they were
destined to be converted into salt pork,
smoked hams and sausage, they lived a
oontented life. The carriage and tool
houses were painted sfcesh every three
years, and the horses which carried the
family to the Baptist Church at the
Corner every Sunday were sleek and we'll
groomed.
Still there was sk aAetun ia the closet.
We may try TO get on Without this
domestic addendum; but there are enough
skeletons in the world to furnish each
home with at least one. Ephraim's was
of rather large proportions, and it ratified
its bones at times in very disagreeable
manner.
1t consisted of a mortgage. I some
times think that the DEVILS chief bold
on mankind is the spectral !"oond and
mortgage" with which he frightens the
life out of people and keeps them awake
at night. Interest money must be paid.
1t is the inexorabIe necessity which
makes our teeth chatter and turns our
hair prematurely gray,
Fifteen hundred dollars of borrowed
money meant wretchedness to Ephraim
Titus. 1t Was as impossible fJr him to
raise that sum as it is for fond mother
to give her baby the moon wheD it cries
for it. Besides, the man to whom the
amount was due was az hard as though
the Almighty had intended TO make q
craven image, and then, changing his
purpose, had suddenly endowed him
with-life. Within a few days of the
time my story opens the debt must be
paid, or the farm would have to be sold.
Grim old Badger had drop ped in at the
farm, very much as fl lck of crows
hovers over horse when it's strength
has given out; and he fairly caVcd with
joy at the thought of getting that neat
estate for mere song.
eff you give me another year." began
Ephraim, pleadingly.
Cant do it; couldn't think of doing
it, answered Badger, shaking his head,
and mentally taking an inventory of his
prospective possessions.
"It's terribly tough" cried Ephraim,
in voice that sounded like a moan
terrible tough. I've worked here sence
l was boy, no bigger'n grasshopper,
and all l ever had in the world I've put
right into this ground. Last season Jest
wrung me out like dishcloth 1t lained
when it ought to have stined, and shined
when it ought to have rained. But,
neighbor Badger, if you fiud it cony enieut
to wait till next crop time"-
"Well, yes, suppose so," responded
Badger; "and if that crop didn't turn out
we'll, could wait for the year after.
am perfectly willing to accommodate you
within the bounds of reason; but when
my money is due 1 want it, and no mis-
take"
THAT MEANS" suggested Ephraim
plaintively, ''that we are to be turned
out of house and home.'
Sentiment, Neighbor Titus, don't
count under the circumstances It's all
very we'll in its way; but this here affair
is exceptional. You get hard up, and
want money; happen to have the money
and l lend it to you. Now, when pay
day comes round. where are you, and
where am II As for me, am right on
time. ready to give yon receipt in full
when you give me the cash. You don't
expect more of me, do you? Aud where
are you? Have you got the money !?
Not bit of it. Well, then, what am
goin' to do? Go without it, and say it
don't make no difference whether you
pay me now, or after the Day of Judg.
ments That amt business. I'm goin'
to have that debt or Tm goin' "
eyes, see, Badger" interrupted
Ephraim, sadly-and his tone was like
the cry of some hunted animsl-''it's
either the cash, or you take the farm. It
must be sold at auction; and as farm land
in this region is worth just nothing at
all, you'll get it for the amount of the
mortgage"
''Precisely," answered Badger. You
state the matter exactly as it is. It's a
good farm; and if you can't save it, why
you must make up your mind to lose it,
that's all. There amt no use to cry
over split milk, aud your milk seems to
be scattered all over the ground; that's a
fact. I'm sorry; but things is just as
they is; and you'd better make the best
of it."
"And begin life-all over again." cried