don't see how you could save so much money, Harry," said his father.

"It was partly luck, father, and partly hard work. I'll tell you all
about it."

He sat down before the fire and they listened to his narrative.

"Well, Harry," said Mr. Walton, "I am very glad to find that you are
more fortunate than your father. I have had a hard struggle; but I will
not complain if my children can prosper."

The cloud that Squire Green had brought with him had vanished, and all
was sunshine and happiness.

It was agreed that no hint should be given to Squire Green that his note
was to be paid. He did not even hear of Harry's arrival, and was quite
unconscious of any change in the circumstances of the family, when he
entered the cottage the next evening.

"Well, neighbor," he said, "I've brought along that ere note. I hope
you've raised the money to pay it."

"Where do you think I could raise money, Squire?" asked Hiram Walton.

"I thought mebbe some of the neighbors would lent it to you."

"Money isn't very plenty with any of them, Squire, except with you."

"I calc'late better than they. Hev you got the ten dollars that you
agreed to pay ef you couldn't meet the note?"

"Yes," said Hiram, "I raised the ten dollars."

"All right," said the squire, briskly, "I thought you could. As long as
you pay that, you can keep the cow six months more, one a new contrack."

"Don't you think, Squire, it's rather hard on a poor man, to make him
forfeit ten dollars because he can't meet his note?"

"A contrack's a contrack," said the squire. "It's the only way to do
business."

"I think you are taking advantage of me, Squire."

"No, I ain't. You needn't hev come to me ef you didn't want to. I didn't
ask you to buy the cow. I'll trouble you for that ten dollars, neighbor,
as I'm in a hurry."

"On the whole, Squire, I think I'll settle up the note. That'll be
cheaper than paying the forfeit."

"What! Pay forty-one dollars and twenty cents!" ejaculated the squire,
incredulously.

"Yes; it's more than the cow's worth, but as I agreed to pay it I
suppose I must."

"I thought you didn't hev the money," said the squire, his lower jaw
falling; for he would have preferred the ten dollars' forfeit, and a
renewal of the usurious contract.

"I didn't have it when you were in last night; but I've raised it
since."

"You said you couldn't borrow it."

"I didn't borrow it."

"Then where did it come from?"

"My son Harry has got