o buy pianos for our almshouses, for the use of
the gentlemen and ladies who occupy them. A violin, indeed!"

This Squire Pope regarded as irresistible logic and withering sarcasm
combined.

He saw Philip go out of the cottage, but, as the sale was not over, he
was unable to follow him.

"Never mind, I'll fix him as soon as I have time," he said to himself.

"Back so soon? Is the auction over!" asked his friend, Frank Dunbar, who
was engaged in splitting wood in the rear of the house.

"No, Frank, not quite; but it's almost over..Who do you think bid on
father's gold watch?"

"I don't know."

"Nick Holden."

"He didn't get it, did he?"

"I am glad to say not. Your father bought it."

"Did he! Why, he's got one watch already."

"I am glad he's got it. I couldn't bear to think of Nick Holden carrying
my father's watch. He was disappointed about one thing besides."

"What was that?"

"The violin. He went to Squire Pope, and complained that it was not in
the sale."

"That's just like his impudence. What did the squire say?"

"He came to me and ordered me to get it, so that it might be sold."

"Shall I get it for you, then?"

"Not much!" answered Philip emphatically. "It is mine, as I have
already told you. If the auction doesn't bring in enough to settle up
everything, I may agree to sell it for a fair price; but I am sure, from
the prices, that it won't be necessary."

"Squire Pope's a dreadful obstinate man," said Frank doubtfully. "He may
insist upon your selling the violin."

"Let him do it!" said Philip contemptuously. "I should like to see him
get it. Where have you put it, Frank?"

"Where Squire Pope won't be apt to find it--in an old chest up in the
garret. It's full of old clothes, belonging to my grandfather, and
hasn't been looked into by any one except me for years. I put it away
under all the clothes at the bottom. No one knows where it is except you
and me, not even mother."

"That's good. I guess we can defy the squire, then."

Half an hour later, Mr. Dunbar came home from the auction.

Philip went to meet him.

"Thank you for buying father's watch," he said. "But for you, Nick
Holden would have had it, and I should have been sorry for it."

"He was badly disappointed," said Mr. Dunbar smiling. "But I didn't buy
the watch for myself, Philip."

"For whom, then?" asked Philip, in some surprise.

"For the one that has the best right to it--for you," and the farmer
took the wat