CHAPTER XXXI.
BIDDING FOR THE FARM.
"I apprehend," said the squire to his brother-in-law the next morning,"that we shall get the farm at our own price."
"I hope we shall, squire," said the poor relative, deferentially. "Isuppose this man Nelson is sorry to part with it."
"Of course; he charges me with meanness, oppressing the poor, and so on;but of course I don't mind that. It's a matter of business; as I toldhim."
"To be sure."
"I am not to be moved by sentimental considerations. Business isbusiness; but he won't see it in that light."
"You consider the farm worth considerable more than the amount of themortgage, of course?"
"It is worth four thousand dollars, in my opinion," said the squire,complacently.
"If you get it for twenty-two hundred, it will be an excellent bargain."
"Father," exclaimed Sinclair, entering the breakfast-room, ratherhurriedly, "Tom Nelson has got home."
"Where did you hear this, my son?" asked Squire Hudson, in surprise.
"At the store. He got home by coach last evening."
"Got discontented, I suppose," said the squire, in a tone of triumph. "Ithought that was how it would turn out. He can't expect me to advancemoney to take him out there again."
"I wish you would let me go," said Sinclair.
"Some day I may take a trip out there with you, my son. Have you seenThomas?"
"No, he keeps mighty close. He hasn't even been round at the store."
"He is ashamed to show himself, I suppose. He will have to work on thefarm--on a farm again."
"I suppose that will be a hard pill for him to swallow," said Sinclair.
"No doubt. He is poor and proud, like his father before him. I am gladof one thing,--that I am sure of getting back the two hundred dollars Iadvanced for his journey. I wonder where he raised money to get back."
* * * * *
Though there were not likely to be any competitors for the farm, aconsiderable number gathered at the sale. There was a general feeling ofsympathy for the Nelsons, but no one was able to express that sympathyin a tangible form, Squire Hudson cared little for the opinion of hisneighbors. Some of them were in debt to him, and he looked down uponthem with the arrogance of wealth.
Tom received many friendly greetings. He was plainly dressed, quiet inhis manner, and seemed to take matters very coolly.
At length the farm was put up, the auctioneer naturally turning towardsthe squire, who responded pompously, "I bid twenty-two hundred dollars,the amount of the mortgage I hold upon the property."
"Is there any other bid?" asked the auctioneer.
"I bid twenty-five hundred dollars," said a clear, boyish voice.
All were startled, and all eyes were turned upon Tom Nelson, who cameslightly forward.
"Twenty-five hundred!" repeated the auctioneer, hesitating whether heshould receive the bid.
"I protest against this outrage," exclaimed Squire Hudson, angrily. "Thebid is ridiculous."
"Why is my bid ridiculous, Squire Hudson?" asked Tom, calmly.
"Because you haven't got the money. It is a transparent attempt to runup the price of the farm."
"You know nothing of my circumstances, Squire Hudson," said Tom,independently. "I stand ready to pay the sum I bid, and, should yououtbid me, I am ready to prove to any committee you may appoint, that Ipossess the money, or all my bids shall go for nothing, and you can havethe farm at your first offer."
"That is fair!" cried all.
"This is all nonsense," said the squire. "Those of you who choose maybelieve this boy; I don't."
"Going at twenty-five hundred!" said the auctioneer.
"Twenty-five hundred and fifty!" said the squire, adding, "I make thebid on the terms proposed by the boy."
"Twenty-eight hundred!" said Tom.
"And fifty!" bid the squire.
"Three thousand!" instantly came from Tom.
No one was more surprised than Tom's own family at this unexpectedscene. He had not dropped a hint as to his intentions, choosing to takeall by surprise. Mark Nelson was perplexed. Though he had greatconfidence in Tom, he feared that he could not make good his bold bids.
At length the farm was knocked down to our hero at three thousand fivehundred dollars.
"Now," said the squire, angrily, "I demand that this farce come to anend. I believe the bidding of this boy to be a premeditated swindle. Ifso, I will do my best to have him punished."
"And I," said Tom, boldly, "have an equal right to demand that SquireHudson submit proof that he is responsible for the amount of hisoffers."
"Curse your impudence!" exclaimed the squire, foaming with rage.
"But I waive that right," continued Tom, "and will ask Squire Hudson toname two gentlemen present to examine the proofs which I have to offerof my ability to back my bids."
"I name Mr. Jones and Mr. Howe," said the squire, quickly, "and requestthem to act at once."
"That is my desire," said Tom.
In five minutes the committee reported that Tom had shown thembank-books, of two Boston banks, certifying that he held two thousanddollars on deposit in one, and four thousand in the other.
"Is that satisfactory?" asked Tom, coolly.
"No," shouted the squire; "I believe that the books are bogus."
But the rest of those present entertained no doubts, and our hero was atonce surrounded by admiring friends, who shook his hand till it fairlyached.
"Squire Hudson, your mortgage shall be paid whenever you desire," saidTom.
"Three cheers for Tom Nelson!" proposed some one, and the cheers weregiven with a will. During the confusion the squire and hisbrother-in-law slipped out of the house, thoroughly discomfited.
CHAPTER XXXII.
MANHOOD.
If Squire Hudson was surprised at Tom's suddenly revealed wealth, Mr.Nelson was no less so. When Tom first commenced bidding his fatherfeared that he was only trying to annoy the squire, or, perhaps, seekingto force him to pay a higher price for the farm. But when investigationrevealed the fact of Tom's riches, and he saw the mountain of debtlifted from his little property, he was overjoyed and grateful.
"I can't understand it, Tom," he said; "how could you possibly getpossession of so much money?"
"I have worked hard, father; but that won't explain it. I have been verylucky, and my good luck has enabled me to save the farm."
"I think you will be easier with me than the squire, Tom," said hisfather, smiling. "I will make out a mortgage to you, since your moneyhas been used to redeem the farm."
"I shall have no claim on the farm," said Tom, "or if I have I give itto you. I have money enough for myself, and hope to earn a good dealmore besides."
"If that is the case, Tom, I will gladly accept your gift. It will be agreat relief to think that I have no interest to pay. Now I shall beable to get along easily. I have over two hundred dollars on hand."
"I want to make your life easier, hereafter, father. I think you need alarger income than the farm will yield you, and I will therefore sendyou a hundred dollars every quarter."
"You are very generous, Tom; but I fear you will soon get rid of allyour money at this rate."
"I will explain my circumstances, father, and then you will thinkdifferently. I have a business in San Francisco which will yield me atleast a thousand dollars a year, without my personal attention, andafter paying the squire what is due him I shall have about fourthousand dollars left. This I mean to invest securely in Boston."
"I can hardly realize that you are so rich, Tom."
"I can scarcely realize it myself, father. When I think of the changethat fifteen months have made in my circumstances I consider myself theluckiest boy in the world, and have great cause for gratitude."
It will be understood that, though Tom had bid thirty-five hundreddollars for the farm, all he was required to pay was the amount of themortgage, the bid having been made in his fat
her's interest. In a fewdays the business was completed, and Mr. Nelson found himself the ownerof an unencumbered property.
Tom remained a week longer in the village, and then started once morefor California. His mother urged him to remain at home, now that he hadso much money; but Tom reminded her that he was partner in a business inSan Francisco, and that he needed to look after his interests there.John Miles might be sick, or die, and in that case he might meet withserious losses.
Returning to San Francisco Tom became an active instead of a silentpartner. The business was considerably enlarged, and became much moreprofitable. At the end of two years Tom sold out to his partner forseveral thousand dollars, and, entering an office, studied law, devotinga portion of his time to general study. At a comparatively early age hewas admitted to the bar of his adopted city, and by degrees got intolucrative practice. He had become so much attached to California that hedecided to make it his permanent home.
Up among the New Hampshire hills his father still tills his little farm,but he no longer depends upon it for his entire living. Tom regularlysends the allowance he promised, and in addition his brothers are oftenthe recipients of handsome gifts. Harry, developing a taste for study,was sent to Exeter Academy, from which in due course he was transferredto Harvard. He, too, was destined for the law, and when he had takenhis legal degree joined Tom in California, and is now his partner.
Other changes there are in the little village. Squire Hudson is dead,and Sinclair, making haste to sell the homestead, removed to New York,engaged in speculation, and lost everything. One day, shabbily dressed,he entered Tom's office in San Francisco, and asked for the loan offifty dollars to enable him to reach the mines. Tom gave it, for oldacquaintance' sake. It was not the last request for money made bySinclair. Nothing has been heard of him for some years, and it isprobable that a life which was of no service to any one is finished. Hehad the best start in life, but misused his advantages. Tom has worthilyemployed the talents committed to his charge, and is happy, honored, andprosperous.
THE YOUNG EXPLORER;
_or_,
AMONG THE SIERRAS,
will be the next volume.
The Young Miner; Or, Tom Nelson in California Page 31
