oneer.

"I bid twenty-five hundred dollars," said a clear, boyish voice.

All were startled, and all eyes were turned upon Tom Nelson, who came
slightly forward.

"Twenty-five hundred!" repeated the auctioneer, hesitating whether he
should receive the bid.

"I protest against this outrage," exclaimed Squire Hudson, angrily. "The
bid is ridiculous."

"Why is my bid ridiculous, Squire Hudson?" asked Tom, calmly.

"Because you haven't got the money. It is a transparent attempt to run
up the price of the farm."

"You know nothing of my circumstances, Squire Hudson," said Tom,
independently. "I stand ready to pay the sum I bid, and, should you
outbid me, I am ready to prove to any committee you may appoint, that I
possess the money, or all my bids shall go for nothing, and you can have
the farm at your first offer."

"That is fair!" cried all.

"This is all nonsense," said the squire. "Those of you who choose may
believe this boy; I don't."

"Going at twenty-five hundred!" said the auctioneer.

"Twenty-five hundred and fifty!" said the squire, adding, "I make the
bid on the terms proposed by the boy."

"Twenty-eight hundred!" said Tom.

"And fifty!" bid the squire.

"Three thousand!" instantly came from Tom.

No one was more surprised than Tom's own family at this unexpected
scene. He had not dropped a hint as to his intentions, choosing to take
all by surprise. Mark Nelson was perplexed. Though he had great
confidence in Tom, he feared that he could not make good his bold bids.

At length the farm was knocked down to our hero at three thousand five
hundred dollars.

"Now," said the squire, angrily, "I demand that this farce come to an
end. I believe the bidding of this boy to be a premeditated swindle. If
so, I will do my best to have him punished."

"And I," said Tom, boldly, "have an equal right to demand that Squire
Hudson submit proof that he is responsible for the amount of his
offers."

"Curse your impudence!" exclaimed the squire, foaming with rage.

"But I waive that right," continued Tom, "and will ask Squire Hudson to
name two gentlemen present to examine the proofs which I have to offer
of my ability to back my bids."

"I name Mr. Jones and Mr. Howe," said the squire, quickly, "and request
them to act at once."

"That is my desire," said Tom.

In five minutes the committee reported that Tom had shown them
bank-books, of two Boston banks, certifying that he held two thousand
dollars