Chapter I: Preface

THIS book is written for a purpose. It is founded upon actual occurrences. Betsy and Jobe Gaskins are characters well known to you, if you will but reflect upon events coming under your own observation within the past few years.

The author claims no inspiration or gift of genius. This is only a simple statement of facts deserving the consideration of every intelligent human being. While you read these pages, if you will permit your intelligence to assert itself over your prejudices, and if finally you will do that which the nobler instincts of man prompt you to do toward bringing about a better condition of things under the government of which you are a part, the author will be fully repaid for his labor. He asks you only to keep in mind at all times that Jobe Gaskins is your brother; that Betsy Gaskins is your sister.

W. I. HOOD.

_New Philadelphia, Ohio, April 24, 1897._

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“GOD, by giving to man wants and making his recourse to work necessary to supply them, has made the right to work the property of every man; and this property is the first, the most sacred, the most imprescriptible of all.”—_Turgot._

“THE right to work is the right to worship. The clink of the anvil and the hum of the harvest field, the music of the poet and the meditations of the inventor are chords in the anthem of creation.”—_Henry D. Lloyd._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Page
I. Jobe Sets and Studies 15
II. An Argument on the Money Question 22
III. Jobe Sleeps in the Spare Bed. The Dream 27
IV. “The Comers” 38
V. Jobe Must Raise $2,100 43
VI. Betty, the Drivin’ Animal 49
VII. They Drive Old Tom 53
VIII. Another Letter from Richer 61
IX. A Few Reasons by Betsy 65
X. Is there a Woman in the Barn 69
XI. “In Town” 73
XII. The Decision 78
XIII. Jobe Cheers Up 84
XIV. A New Mortgage 89
XV. Jobe, Out of Trouble, is Unruly Again 93
XVI. Jobe is Scared 97
XVII. Jobe Sleeps in the Barn? 104
XVIII. The Spittoons 111
XIX. A Big-headed Man 118
XX. Bonds Sell Well 121
XXI. The Sermon 124
XXII. Jobe Working to Raise the Officers’ Salaries 128
XXIII. Plan to Relieve the Rich of an Expense 132
XXIV. Them Promises 138
XXV. Jobe Excited Over a Nomination 141
XXVI. The Bloomers 145
XXVII. “Them Populists.” 149
XXVIII. Trouble with Billot 155
XXIX. “Inforcin the Law agin Billot” 158
XXX. Betsy Discusses “Fiat” Money 166
XXXI. Jobe Blows a Fish-horn 180
XXXII. At Court Again 185
XXXIII. Judgment Rendered 189
XXXIV. The Little White Rose-bush 195
XXXV. Jobe Talks of Things that Are Gone 200
XXXVI. Bill Bowers on the Fence 202
XXXVII. Betsy Faints. A Vision 207
XXXVIII. The Parting 211
XXXIX. The Preacher and the Saloonkeeper 216
XL. Them Rooms. The Director of Charities 228
XLI. A Sore Hand 235
XLII. Hattie Moore 244
XLIII. A Family Reunion 249
XLIV. After the Woe, then Comes the Law 256