ice."

"I hope we shall, squire," said the poor relative, deferentially. "I
suppose 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 told
him."

"To be sure."

"I am not to be moved by sentimental considerations. Business is
business; but he won't see it in that light."

"You consider the farm worth considerable more than the amount of the
mortgage, 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, rather
hurriedly, "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. "I
thought that was how it would turn out. He can't expect me to advance
money 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 seen
Thomas?"

"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 the
farm--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 glad
of one thing,--that I am sure of getting back the two hundred dollars I
advanced for his journey. I wonder where he raised money to get back."

* * * * *

Though there were not likely to be any competitors for the farm, a
considerable number gathered at the sale. There was a general feeling of
sympathy for the Nelsons, but no one was able to express that sympathy
in a tangible form, Squire Hudson cared little for the opinion of his
neighbors. Some of them were in debt to him, and he looked down upon
them with the arrogance of wealth.

Tom received many friendly greetings. He was plainly dressed, quiet in
his manner, and seemed to take matters very coolly.

At length the farm was put up, the auctioneer naturally turning towards
the 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 aucti