I begged him with tears in my eyes to make the banker take Jobe’s wheat money and give us one more chance to save our old home.
Then I sot down, and my eyes would water, no matter how often I would wipe them.
Well, the court cleared his throat a time or two and then said:
“It is a common occurrence for us judges in our official positions to do unpleasant things. I am sorry for the old people, but the law must uphold the sacred rights of contract. The contract calls for gold. I will therefore render judgment agin Gaskins, the defendant, for full amount of mortgage, accrued interest and costs of this case, and order the sheriff to sell the premises to satisfy the judgment.”
When them words was spoke I jist felt smothered. I felt so queer I hardly knowed where I was.
Jobe he jist sot there a starin, with a pleadin look on his face. We both sot there numb like till the officer come around and told us the case was over.
We kind a come to then and got up. Then I thought of the clerk havin that paper money, so I told Jobe to go and git it.
He went, and the clerk told him he couldent surrender the money till the case was settled; that that money was part of the court record, and the land might not sell for enough to pay the judgment and all costs.
So we come home and left our wheat money and hay money and cow money and the money for poor old Tom and all with the officers of the court.
Jobe, poor man, from the time he left that court-house till now he has jist moped around, sighin and moanin.