will help me to carry out some plans for the benefit of
my father, who is in an embarrassed condition."

"I advise you not to sell the land till you can sell at an advanced
price."

"I shall not do so. When the Northern Pacific is completed I am sure
lots will be much higher."

"To be sure. You are young and can wait. I am old, and I have no
particular desire to make money. I have enough to see me through."

When Andy started for New York he had the company of Seth Johnson. It
was agreed that the final arrangements for the transfer of the lots
should take place in Mr. Crawford's office.

They reached the city without adventure, and Andy, with his new friend,
reported at his employer's.

"I hope you are satisfied with what I have done, Mr. Crawford," said
Andy.

"Thoroughly so. You have made a good purchase. I shall pay you five
hundred dollars as an acknowledgment of the service you have rendered
me."

"But, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Johnson has already given me five lots."

"True; but this is his gift, not mine. You must not be afraid of
becoming too rich. You will need all your money."

"Yes, sir, but not for myself. I can now relieve my father's anxiety."

"Do you intend to tell him the amount of your good fortune?"

"I will only tell him of your gift."

On the basis of the sum which Mr. Crawford paid for the other
four-fifths, Andy's share of Mr. Johnson's land amounted to twelve
hundred and fifty dollars. But when, three months later, active
operations for the extension and completion of the railroad commenced,
it could easily have been sold for double.

But Andy was too sagacious to sell. In a year his father's mortgage
would be payable, and he wanted to be prepared for that.

Meanwhile Andy devoted himself with energy to mastering the details of
the real estate business. Perhaps because he now himself owned real
estate, he became very much interested in it. He was not able often to
visit Arden, but he never let a week pass without writing a letter home.

It was usually addressed to his mother, as his father was more
accustomed to guiding the plow than the pen. He also heard occasionally
from his boy friends. No letters were more welcome than those of
Valentine Burns. About three months before the mortgage became due he
received the following from Valentine:

"DEAR ANDY: I wish I could see you oftener, but I know you are busy,
and getting on. That is a great satisfaction to me. Your last lette