ut she objects to my seeing
you."

Squire Hudson was far from an amiable man, and this explanation made him
angry with the servant. He turned upon her fiercely.

"What do you mean, you trollop," he demanded, "by refusing to let the
boy see me? What do you mean by your insolence, I say?"

Bridget was overwhelmed, for the squire's temper was like a tornado.

"I thought he wanted to sell berries," she faltered.

"That isn't true," said Tom. "I told you expressly that I picked the
berries for use at home, and had none to sell."

"Go back to the kitchen, you trollop!" thundered the squire. "You
deserve to go to jail for your outrageous conduct."

Bridget did not venture to answer a word, for it would only have raised
a more violent storm, but retreated crestfallen to her own realm, and
left our hero in possession of the field. She contented herself with
muttering under her breath what she did not dare to speak aloud.

"You are Tom Nelson, are you not?" asked the squire, adjusting his
spectacles, and looking more carefully at the boy.

"Yes, sir."

"Have you any message from your father?"

"No, sir."

"Then why did you come here to take up my time?" demanded the squire,
frowning.

"I came to do you a service, Squire Hudson."

"You came--to--do--me--a--service?" repeated the squire slowly.

"Yes, sir."

"You may as well come in," said the rich man, leading into the
sitting-room.

Tom followed him into a handsomely furnished room, and the two sat down
opposite each other.

CHAPTER III.

TOM ASKS A LOAN.

"I don't know what service you can do me," said Squire Hudson
incredulously.

His manner implied: "I am a rich man and you are a poor boy. How can you
possibly serve me?"

"Have you lost anything lately?" inquired Tom, coming at once to
business.

I suppose most men, when asked such a question, would first think of
their pocket-books. It was so with Squire Hudson. He hastily thrust his
hand into his pocket, and found--a large hole, through which, doubtless,
the wallet had slipped.

"I have lost my wallet," he said anxiously. "Have you found it?"

In reply Tom produced the missing article. The squire took it hurriedly,
and, at once opening it, counted the money. It was all there, and he
heaved a sigh of relief, for he was a man who cared for money more than
most people.

"Where did you find it?" he asked.

Tom answered the question.

"It is very fortunate you came along before anyo