f railroad bonds, never having any money to invest
in them; but I think my farm will be full security for all the money I
owe you."

"Suppose I should foreclose--you would consider it an unkind thing and a
great hardship, wouldn't you?"

"It would take away my means of supporting my family. I don't think you
would go to extremes, for the sake of thirty dollars."

"It isn't the amount of money, neighbor Nelson, that is to be
considered. It is the principle that is involved."

This is a very common pretext with men who have made up their minds to
do a mean thing. Generally speaking it is false, and the money is the
first consideration.

"Will you give me two months to pay the balance of interest?" asked Mark
Nelson.

"What better prospect have you of being able to pay me then?"

"As soon as Tom has any money to send, he will remit to me. I think it
probable that I shall hear from him in the course of two months."

"If that is your reliance," said the squire, shrugging his shoulders, "I
am afraid you are leaning upon a broken reed. I know boys pretty well,
and I fancy Tom will find a use for all the money he earns."

"You don't know him, Squire Hudson. He is a very conscientious boy, and
understands very well the sacrifice I made in raising money to send him
to California. He is not very likely to forget that."

"It seems to me that the sacrifice was mine," said the squire, with a
half sneer. "If I remember rightly, I advanced the money which he took
away with him."

Mark Nelson flushed, and he answered warmly, "You did advance the money,
Squire Hudson, but I gave you security for it."

"And the very first interest that has come due you are not prepared to
meet. You can't blame me for feeling a little doubt as to the wisdom of
my advance."

"Are you very much in need of the thirty dollars?" asked Mr. Nelson,
nettled at the squire's tone.

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Is it subjecting you to any great inconvenience to wait a couple of
months for it? That is what I mean."

"My circumstances are not such," returned the squire, haughtily, "as to
make me feel even the loss of thirty dollars."

"I wish I could say the same, but I cannot. Since, then, it will
occasion you no inconvenience, I ask you as a favor that you will let
the balance rest for two months."

Squire Hudson saw that he was cornered; but none the less was he
disposed to yield the point. He even felt provoked with the farmer for
having force