The Young Miner; Or, Tom Nelson in California

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  CHAPTER XXX.

  THE NIGHT BEFORE THE AUCTION.

  It was a sad household, that of Mark Nelson, on the day preceding thedeparture from the farm. There was to be an auction the next day, atwhich the farm-stock and farm-implements were to be sold. It was wellunderstood that Squire Hudson was to be the buyer of the farm, and as hewas not likely to have any competitor there was little hope that itwould fetch more than the amount of the mortgage.

  During the afternoon Mr. Nelson called on Squire Hudson to make the bestterms he could at private sale.

  "The farm is worth at least a thousand dollars more than the mortgage,Squire Hudson," said the farmer.

  "It is worth what it will fetch, Mr. Nelson," said the squire.

  "Do you mean that an article always commands its full value at auction,Squire Hudson?"

  "Ahem! it brings its market value, Mr. Nelson."

  "Which may be far below its intrinsic value. Suppose a diamond worth tenthousand dollars were put up at auction in our village, do you considerthat it would bring a fair price?"

  "Ahem! you are wandering from the subject. We are talking of farms, notdiamonds."

  "As to the farm, then, you are likely to be the only bidder, unless youallow the mortgage to remain."

  "If I were inclined to do that I would not disturb you as long as youpaid the interest promptly."

  "Then you decline to buy the farm at private sale?"

  "I do."

  "I don't think you will be any better off in the end, Squire Hudson, foroppressing a poor man, and robbing him of his little all," said MarkNelson, bitterly.

  "You don't look at the matter from a business point of view," said thesquire, coldly. "I am acting as any business man would under thecircumstances."

  "I cannot believe you, sir. All business men are not so hard-hearted."

  "I really don't think there is any use in prolonging this interview,"said Squire Hudson, stiffly. "I have resolved upon my course, in which Iam perfectly justified, however you may choose to regard it."

  This removed the farmer's last hope, and he had only to look about foranother home for his family. There was small choice of houses in thelittle farming town. In fact there was but one house,--a shabby,dilapidated building, a mile from the church and store. This, Mr.Nelson, having no choice, engaged for a period of three months.

  "It makes me homesick to think of going to live in that barn," saidSarah, as they were sitting together after supper.

  "It may not be so bad as you think for, Sarah," said her mother; butshe secretly sympathized with her daughter.

  "I wish Squire Hudson had to live there himself," said Walter, in anangry outburst.

  Usually Walter was checked by his father when uttering such speeches;but to-night Mark Nelson took no notice of his son's angry remark. Hefelt that it would only be a righteous retribution upon the squire forhis cold selfishness.

  While they were sitting in the plain room endeared to them by theassociation of years, a sound of wheels was heard, and the village stagestopped before the door.

  "Who can it be?" said Sarah, wonderingly.

  The whole family hurried to the window. What youthful, yet manly figure,was that actively descending from his perch beside the driver?

  "It's Tom!" exclaimed Mrs. Nelson. "Heaven be praised! It is my dearboy."

  Tom was almost suffocated by the embraces which he received on enteringthe house.

  "How you have grown, Tom!" said Sarah. "And how well you look!"

  "Thank you for the compliment," said Tom, laughing. "But I don't feelwell."

  "What is the matter?" asked his mother, with maternal solicitude.

  "I am as hungry as a bear. Have you got anything to eat in the house?"

  This hint was enough. Fresh tea was made, and the wanderer was soonsitting before a bountiful supply of food, cooked in his mother's beststyle.

  "It seems good to be at home," said Tom, looking around him, his facebeaming with happiness.

  "Did you get my letter, Tom, announcing the squire's intention toforeclose the mortgage?" asked his father, gravely.

  "Yes, father; is it really true?"

  "Yes; he will listen to no persuasions."

  "When does the sale take place?"

  "To-morrow."

  "I shall be present. Have you thought of any other house, father?"

  "The old Belcher house is the only one I can hire."

  "That is a poor place."

  "It must do for lack of a better."

  "I didn't think the squire would act so meanly. At any rate, father, Iwill see that you don't any of you suffer for lack of money."

  "Have you been doing well, Tom?" asked Walter.

  "Ask me to-morrow, Walter. To-night I want to hear all the news, andeverything that has happened since I went away."