Well, when we got the costs all paid, we then begin to draw up papers, and sign and acknowledge, and read and reread of papers, to git the money from the Canal Dover banker.
One feller told Jobe and the other fellers to go out of the room till he examined me seperate and apart, at which I became insulted and up and says, says I:
[Illustration: “‘Law or no law,’ says I.”]
“No, you wont, sir; no man will examine me seperate and apart or any other way in the absence of Jobe Gaskins.”
“Law or no law,” says I, “Ile not submit. I have submitted to law instid of justice; Ive submitted to law instid of right; Ive submitted to law instid of humanity, but when it comes to submittin to law instid of decency, Betsy Gaskins demurs.”
But arter they explained that he jist wanted to read and explain the mortgage to me, I even submitted to law agin.
When they was all out, the feller read the mortgage to me, and asked me if the signin of it was my “free act and deed.” I told him it was so fur as I had to sign it to keep from bein foreclosed, but that I would not sign it as it then read.
“The wrong,” says I, “is where it says that Jobe shall pay the ‘principal and interest in gold.’”
I explained to him that Jobe and me hadent had ten dollars in gold for years and years.
But he said it was only a form; that we was now on a gold basis, and the bank requires all their mortgages to read, “payable, principal and interest, in gold,” since we have come to a gold basis.
But I wouldent sign it, and the feller called Jobe and the other fellers in. Jobe he got mad at me and scolded and fretted around until I got ashamed of him, and I jist up and says, says I:
“Ile sign it, Mr. Gaskins, but you will find that payin seven per cent. interest and payin it in gold to keep your party in power is up-hill bizness.”
[Illustration: “‘Payin it in gold to keep your party in power is up-hill bizness.’”]
So I signed it. But the Lord only knows where we will git the gold to pay even the interest with. We have to pay the interest every six months.
Ive lived on this farm for nigh onto seventeen years, and have never found a piece of gold as big as a pin-head. Maybe Jobe knows where it is. I dont, goodness knows.
Well, arter the signin was done there was some more charges and sich to pay for, and Jobe had it to pay. Then, arter requestin Jobe to look arter his party’s interests in our township, they bid us good-by, and Jobe and me come home.