The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-07-22

| when the old man offered his serv'
ices, were glad enough to allow him
to dig in their gardens at dollar
day. Besides that the old man did
odd chores.
He must be making a mint OF
money, Lucy" said her husband jocu-
larly.
Its all coming to Frank and YOU.
Old Mark would say, when they re-
preached him. 81 got to do some
thing to earn my keep, seeing as
Niece Jane has got my farm and I've
got nothing to pay you with"
But it isn't necessary to pay a
penny, uncle" Lucy would say, half
crying. People will think We make
you work for us"
81 guess not" answered Old Mark.
Il tell em that I'm doing it against
your wishes. But it's all coming to
YOU.
Indeed. Marks industry afforded
the farmer and his wife less time for
meditation than formerly. The sea-
son had been poor, the crops had not
ripened-it was the wet summer OF
few years ago; finally, the price OF
corn had gone shooting down. The
struggle of the "ne'er-do-welP' Frank
Smith had long excited the derision
of his relatives. He seemed an in
capable farmer, and they knew moth
| ing of the crushing mortgage and OF
the difficulty with which each interest
| day was met.
At last Frank and Lucy had to face
| the prospect of selling out and NOV
ing to the city. We'll take OLD
Mark" they said.
Old Mark, learning of his relatives
difficulties, did not appear greatly con-
cerned. Its life!" he said That's
all 1t happened to me. l guess |
can go to the poorhouse.'
"You certainly will not go to the
poorhouse SO long as can work"
said Frank.
At last the farm was advertised for
SALE Nobody was surprised, but sew
eral people were pleased. The Adams
family were very pleased.
The day of the sale arrived. Frank
and Lucy, very subdued, but bravely
meeting the inquisitive gaze of the
| neighbors, sat by the auctioneer.
What bids for this property"
snapped the auctioneer. Fifty acres
of first-class farming land"
"Ho! Ho!" reared voice from
among the audience. 1t was Philip
Adams, who chuckled and nudged his
wife. That's good, amt it?" he said.
"a house and barn in fair condition,
an orchard with fruit trees in bearing,
chicken houses and two hundred hens.
What bids?"
"Ten dollars!" shouted Adams exu-
berantly.
BE sensible, gentlemen" pleaded
the auctioneer. "One-third cash and
the remainder on mortgage. What Of
fers?"
Five hundred dollars" said a bald
headed city clerk. who was trying to
| get back to the land.
six hundred" said Adams.
They ran the price up to twelve
hundred dollars, at which the city
| clerk subsidized Frank watched the
scene in humiliation. Lucy, impassive,
regarded the sneering face of Philip,
as he wrestled with another bidder at
fourteen hundred.
AT fourteen hundred" said the auc-
tioneer, nodding to Philip. Going
| going"
"Fifteen!" snapped Old Mark, stand
ing up as spryly as young man.
"Eh?" grunted the auctioneer.
Where's your money!"
Old Mark advanced to the auction
GERS desk and slapped down an enor-
nous wallet choking with bills. The
auctioneer peered inside. He saw sew
eral hundreds.
81 tell you he's faker, and stand
by what bid. and take the farm"
shouted Philip in rage.
"At fifteen. Going gone! It's
yours" said the auctioneer to Mark.
"One-third cash and"
"Pll pay the whole fifteen hundred"
answered Old Mark, counting out the
money.
1t was done. Mark owned the farm,
and Lucy and Frank found themselves
one on each side of him in the open.
Round them gathered curious crowd,
including Jane and Philip Adams. The
situation was preposterous-in
BILE.
Hush! Old Mark was speaking.
You see, my dears, you were kind
to an old man." he said. you
thought l hadn't no money, but there
was my life insurance, which took
| out fifty years ago last "Wednesday