The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-02-22

Irdlu we can't AFFORD lt-ayeS L De!
1--WE can't afford to freeze any
Longer, made up my mind that we
couldn't go through another winter
as we have" was my uncle'S answer.
How much did it cOst?" she asked.
"NOt much differnt from thirty
four dollars in sheep and grain" he
answered.
Rodney Barnes stayed to supper
and spent a part of the evening with
us.
Like other settlers there, Mr..
Barnes was cheerful Optimist. Every
thing looked good to him until it
turned out badly.
He told how he had heard that 1t
was a growing country near the great
water highway of the st. Lawrence.
Prosperous towns were building up
in it. There were going to be great
cities in Northern New York. There
were rich stores of lead and iron
in the rocks. Mr. Barnes had bought
two hundred acres at ten dollars an
acre. He had to pay fee of five
per cent. to Grimshaw's lawyer for
the survey and the papers. This left
him owing fourteen hundred dollars
on his farm-much more than it was
worth.
Our cousin twisted the poker in
his great hands until it squeaked as
he stood before my uncle and said:
"My wife and | nave chopped and
burnt and pried and hauled rocks an
Shoyeled dung an MIXED an churned
until we are worn out. For almost
twenty years we've been workin' days
an nights an Sundays. My mortgage
was overdue, | owed six hundred dol
lars on it. l thought it all over one
day an went up to Grimshaw's an
| took him by the back of the neck
and shook him. He said he would
| drive me out ~ tho country. lie
! gave me six months to pay up. | had
| to pay or lose the land. | got The
money on the note that you signed
| over in POtSdam. Nobody in Can.
ton would "a dared to lend it tC
me-"
"Why?" my uncle asked.
"'Fraid o. GrimShaw. He didn't
want me to be able to pay it. THE
place is worth more than six hundred
dollars now-that's the reason. | il.
tended to cut some timber an haul
it to the village this winter so | could
pay part o the note an git more
been so bad l couldn't do any haul
in"
My uncle went and took q drink al
the water pail. | saw by his face
that he was unusually wrought up.
my heavens an EARTH" he ex
claimed as he sat down again.
ITS the brain collie" l said tC
myself as l looked at him.
Mr.. Barnes seemed TO have it also
TOO much note" l whispered.
I'm awful sorry, but I've done
everything l could" said Mr.. Barnes
"Ain't there somebody that'll take
another mortgage?-it ought to be-
safe now" my uncle suggested.
Money is so tight 1t can't be done
The bank has got all the money an
GrimShaw owns the bank. I've tried
and tried, but I'll make you safe. III
give you a mortgage until / can turf
round"
So l saw how Rodney Barnes, like
other settlers in Lickitysplit, had gone
into bondage to the landlord
How much do you owe on THU
placer" Barnes asked.
Seven hundred an fifty dollars,
said my uncle.
rs it due?"
ITS been due year an If l hav,
TO pay that note I'll be short my in
terest."
God O. Israel! I'm scairt," SAT-
Uncle Peabody.
Down crashed the stick Of WOO,
into the box.
What about?'
ut would be like him TO put tn,
! SCTe"S on you now. lou We got De
tween him an his prey. You've takeI
the mouse away from the cat"
remember the little panic tina
fell on US then. | could see tear
in the eyes of Aunt Deel as she sa
with her head leaning YEARLY on he
hand.
IF he does I'll do all / can" sal,
Barnes, whatever I've got will b
yours"
Rodney Barnes left us, and re
member how Uncle Peabody stood il
the middle of the floor and whistle,
the merriest tune he knew.
stand right up here" he called il
his most cheerful tone. "Stand RICH
up here before me, both o. ye."
| got Aunt Deel by the hand an
led her toward my uncle. We stoo
facing him. "Stand straighter," h
demanded. Now, altogether. On,
two, three, ready-sing"
He beat time with his hand in I'M
tatiOn of the singing master at tn
schOolhOuse and We joined him 4