"But you don't understand old timer. That's 10 ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS"! The old country dude just nodded his head and acted like he knew what the city slicker was say'n. "Nope, don't believe I wanna sell for a thousand dollars. I've had 10 ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS before and it won't buy very much. I'd ask ya to git off my property now--we's done talkin"!

The old fellow stumped back into the old farmhouse not lookin back. His wife ask'm when he got inside if they had struck a deal. He told'r "Mables, he offered me 10 ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS and I turn'n'm down. All they wanted was a strip of our farm 10 feet wide and 20 feet long that would be fenced in. Just a lease for FOREVER, why they'd even fence it in and keep it mowed! He just couldn't understand why I'd turn'm down".

A cross country pipeline which already run across this old duffers property and had been -for over 40 years. The big oil company wanted to "bring the 12 incher up and insatall a valve and right back down". They had an easment for the pipeline to run under their farm because a previous owner had "sold out" for a few bucks when money was in short supply. This old dude sure wasnt impressed by the young whippersnapper tryin to intimidate him for a few bucks. He did tell the oil man that he wouldn't want that big ugly thing right in his side yard by the road. The oil company moved the monstrosity to a neighboring farm and parked it next to a big hog confinment. The owner of that mess didn't even live on that farm!

Many times these things happen and farm folks, especially older ones, need the money and don't hesitate to accept their offer. Then they have to live with those ugly things, long after the money is spent. I know these farm folks and they "ain't no dummys even tho they may look like it" to city folks.

The family farm is quickly disappearing and not much can be done about it as long as money is tight and "dudes" are slick talkers with a few bucks in their hands. Most of'm are good salesmen who kinda remind you of a "used car salesman" who had a fallin out with the Truth and never did make up. Nuther words--they don't cohabitate with the truth. Almost anything they can think of that might appear "country" to farm folks will be used by'm to sway the poor to accept those few bucks. The lesser that can be agreed upon the better for the salesmen!

I do know one thing tho. They won't have much an answer when Almighty God asks'm why they "slickered" the poor folks over a few bucks and then LIED about it! All our actions have a day of reckoning awaiting us. Won't be no room to tell the Man---"You don't understand---that's 10 ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS"! old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Amen to that! No buying your way in there at all.

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), December 19, 2001.

My grandfather told me many years ago to NEVER sell your family property, unless you are willing to lose your memories. Yes sir, hoot, you are wise beyond words. Ten 100s aren't worth years of a spoiled outdoor view, or someone having a claim on your soil.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), December 20, 2001.