oys 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