the name of the witness to that old man's signature?"

"Abel Pollock."

"Oh! Henry's father?"

"Yes. He's got a son named Henry."

"And who's the Notary Public?"

"Caleb Schell. He keeps the store just at the crossroads as you go into
town."

"I remember the store," said Hiram, thoughtfully.

"But Hiram!" cried Mrs. Atterson, "I don't want to sell the farm."

"We'll be sure this paper is all straight before you do sell, Mrs.
Atterson."

"Why, I just won't sell!" she exclaimed. "Uncle Jeptha never said
nothing in his will about giving this option. And that lawyer says that
in a couple of years the farm will be worth a good deal more than this
Pepper offers."

"Why, Mrs. Atterson!" exclaimed the real estate man, cheerfully, "as
property is selling in this locality now, sixteen hundred dollars is a
mighty good offer for your farm. You ask anybody. Why, Uncle Jeptha knew
it was; otherwise he wouldn't have given me the option, for he didn't
believe I'd come up with the price. He knew it was a high offer."

"And if it's worth so much to you, why isn't it worth more to Mrs.
Atterson to keep?" demanded Hiram, sharply.

"Ah! that's my secret--why I want it," said Pepper, nodding. "Leave that
to me. If I get bit by buying it, I shall have to suffer for my lack of
wisdom."

"You ain't bought it yet--you Pepper," snapped Mrs. Atterson.

"But I'm going to buy it, ma'am," replied he, rather viciously, as he
stood up, ready to depart. "I shall expect to hear from you no later
than Monday."

"I won't sell it!"

"You'll have to. If you refuse to sign I'll go to the Chancery Court.
I'll make you."

"Well. Mebbe you will. But I don't know. I never was made to do anything
yet. By no man named Pepper--you can take that home with you," she flung
after him as he walked out and climbed into the buggy.

But whereas Mrs. Atterson showed anger, Hiram went back to work in the
field with a much deeper feeling racking his mind. If the option was all
right--and of course it must be--this would settle their occupancy of
the farm.

Of course he could not hold Mrs. Atterson to her contract. She could not
help the situation that had now arisen.

His Spring's work had gone for nothing. Sixteen hundred dollars, even in
cash, would not be any great sum for the old lady. And she had burdened
herself with the support of Sister--and with Old Lem Camp, too!

"Surely, I can't be a burden on her. I'll have to hustle around and find
a