The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-02-13


water highway Of the 81. Lawrence.
Prosperous towns were building up
in IL. 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 ut 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 II was
worth.
Our cousin twisted the poker in
his great hands until II squeaked as
he stood before my uncle and said:
my wife and I have chopped and
burnt and pried and hauled rocks an
shoveled 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 II. I thought II 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 o. the country. He
gave me six months to pay up. I had
TO pay or lose the land. I got the
money on the note that you signed
over In Potsdam. Nobody in Can
ton would "a dared to lend 1t to
me-"
"WhyT my uncle asked.
AFRAID o. Grimshaw. He didn't
want me to be able to pay II. The
place is worth more than six hundred
dollars now-that's the reason. / In
tended to cut some timber an haul
II to the village this winter so ! could
pay a part o. the note an git more
time as told We. but the roads have
been so bad I couldn't do any haul
In"
Ny uncle went and took drink at
the water pail. I saw by his face
that he was unusually wrought up.
my heavens an earthr' he ex-
claimed as he sat down again.
"It's the brain collie" said to
myself as Il looked at him.
Mr.. Barnes seemed to have 1t also.
TOO much note" / whispered.
"Tm awful sorry. but I've done
everything / could" said Mr.. Barnes.
"Ain't there somebody that1l 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. I'll
give you a mortgage until 1 can turn
round"
So l saw how Rodney Barnes. like
other settlers In Lickityspllt, had gone
into bondage to the landlord.
"How much do you owe on this
placer Barnes asked.
"Seven hundred an fifty dollars"
said my uncle.
us 1t duet"
tits been due a year an II I have
to pay that note I'll be short my in
terest."
God O. Israeli I'm scairt." said
Uncle Peabody.
Down crashed the stick Of wood
into the box.
what aboutf'
at would be like him to put the
screws on you now. You've got be-
tween him an his prey. You've taken
the mouse away from the cat"
remember the little panic that
fell on us then. could see tears
In the eyes of Aunt Deel as she sat
with her head leaning YEARLY on her
hand.
III he does I'll do all ! can" said
Barnes. whatever I've got will be
yours"
Rodney Barnes left us, and re-
member how Uncle Peabody stood In
the middle of the floor and whistled
the merriest tune he knew.
"Stand right up here" he called in
his most cheerful tone. "Stand right
up here before me, both o. ye."
I got Aunt Deel by the hand and
1ad har tawar ri INV nnala Na stood