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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Book online «Andy Grant's Pluck by Jr. Horatio Alger (books to read to get smarter txt) 📖». Author Jr. Horatio Alger
"I don't know about that."
But the squire's tone was less decided. He liked a bargain, and he knew that there was some reason in what Conrad said.
"Mr. Grant might not feel at liberty to sell his son's boat," he argued.
"Andy would let him. He thinks a good deal of his family."
"I'll think of it; but I intended to propose taking two of his cows."
"That you can do next time. Probably he won't have the interest six months from now."
"I'll see about it."
"There is one other thing; you would have a better chance to sell the boat for a profit than the cows."
"Well, Conrad, I will think of it, as I said. I am going around to Farmer Grant's this evening, and I will broach the subject."
Later in the day Conrad met Jimmy Morris.
"Have you heard the news, Conrad?" asked Jimmy.
"What is it?"
"Andy Grant is in Arden. He arrived from the city this morning."
"I am glad to hear it."
"Why? Are you and Andy such great friends?"
"It isn't on account of friendship; it's on account of business."
"What business?"
"I can't tell you, but you will very likely hear soon."
Conrad hoped to meet Andy and broach the subject of buying the boat. He decided from his knowledge of the farmer's son that, much as he valued his boat, he would be willing to sacrifice it for the sake of his father. In this thought he paid an unconscious tribute to Andy, for in similar circumstances he would have been incapable of anything so unselfish.
About half-past seven, Andy, looking out of the window, saw the stately and dignified figure of Squire Carter coming up the front path.
"The squire is coming, father," he said. "I want you to look sober, just as if you were unprepared to pay the interest."
Squire Carter had already been informed by Conrad that Andy was in the village. He showed no surprise, therefore, when he saw him.
He had also been down to the river and taken a look at Andy's boat. He could see that it was a very handsome one, and doubtless worth as much as Conrad reported.
"So you have come home, Andrew?" he said.
"Yes, Squire Carter."
"You haven't lost your place, have you?"
"No, sir. I have come home on a visit."
"Ahem! You arrived at an unfortunate time for your father. He has had bad luck. Things seem to have gone against him."
"So I heard, sir."
"If you had been at home to help him on the farm, things would have been different, maybe."
"I hope to help him by staying in the city."
"That isn't very likely. I don't approve, for my part, of boys leaving home to work."
"I think I shall succeed in the end, sir."
"Ahem! I have no doubt you think so, but boys like you haven't much judgment. I suppose you know that interest is due on the mortgage for the first six months, and that your father can't meet it."
"I have heard so, Squire Carter."
"As a friend of your father I have a plan to propose that may make things easy for him. I am glad to see you, for a part of my business is with you."
CHAPTER XXIX. — THE INTEREST IS PAID.
Andy was surprised by the squire's words. He could not conjecture what business Squire Carter could have with him.
"First," said the squire, "may I ask, Mr. Grant, whether you can pay the interest on the mortgage which I hold when it comes due?"
"I have only twenty-five dollars at my command now, Squire Carter. Perhaps something may turn up between now and next Tuesday."
"That is extremely likely," said the squire, in a tone of sarcasm.
"Have you anything to propose? Are you willing to wait a month?"
"No, sir; I am not. It will be extreme folly on my part. Do you expect to come into a fortune within thirty days?"
"No, sir."
"So I presume. However, I have a plan to propose. I did intend to say that I would allow you fifty dollars for your two best cows. But even that would not pay the deficit. I believe your son owns a boat."
"I do," said Andy, looking up. He began to understand the squire's plan.
"I am willing to allow twenty dollars for it, as my son has taken a fancy to it, and his own boat was destroyed through the malice of a tramp. This, with fifty dollars for your two cows, would pay the interest all but twenty dollars, which you say you are able to pay in cash."
"Squire Carter, my cows are of a choice breed, and are worth fifty dollars each."
"They would not fetch that sum. Indeed, twenty-five dollars each is all that you would have any chance of getting. If you doubt it, you may try to get an offer elsewhere."
"What should I do without the cows? I depend on the butter and milk I obtain from them for a good part of my cash income."
"That is your lookout," said the squire, shrugging his shoulders.
"You don't appear to have much consideration for me."
"Business is business, Mr. Grant. You owe me ninety dollars. If you can't pay me in one form, you must in another."
"I would like to say a word, Squire Carter," said Andy. "The boat for which you offer twenty dollars cost Mr. Gate seventy-five."
"I don't believe it."
"I have his word for it."
"Very likely, but it wouldn't be the first case where a man overstated the price of his purchase."
"Mr. Gale would not deceive me in that way."
"Have it as you like. The boat is second-hand now, and worth far less than when it was new," persisted
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