Chapter XXXI. Squire Haynes Springs His Trap

by Horatio Alger

　　As intimated in the last chapter, Frank determined to see if hecould not raise the money necessary to pay off the mortgage incase it should be necessary to do so.Farmer Maynard was a man in very good circumstances. He owned anexcellent farm, which yielded more than enough to support hisfamily. Probably he had one or two thousand dollars laid aside."I think he will help me," Frank said to himself, "I'll go tohim."He went to the house, and was directed to the barn. There hefound the farmer engaged in mending a hoe-handle, which had beenbroken, by splicing it.He unfolded his business. The farmer listened attentively to hisstatement."You say the squire as much as told you that he would renew themortgage?""Yes.""Well, I wouldn't trouble myself then; I've no doubt he'll doit.""He said, unless he should have some sudden occasion for themoney.""All right. He is a prudent man, and don't want to bind himself.That is all. You know the most unlikely things may happen; but Idon't believe the squire'll want the money. He's got plenty inthe bank.""But if he should?""Then he'll wait, or take part. I suppose you can pay part.""Yes, half.""Then I guess there won't be any chance of anything going wrong.""If there should," persisted Frank, "could you lend us fourhundred dollars to make up the amount?""I'd do it in a minute, Frank, but I hain't got the money by me.What money I have got besides the farm is lent out in notes. Onlylast week I let my brother-in-law have five hundred dollars, andthat leaves me pretty short.""Perhaps somebody else will advance the money," said Frank,feeling a little discouraged at the result of his firstapplication."Yes, most likely. But I guess you won't need any assistance. Ilook upon it as certain that the mortgage will be renewed. Nextfall I shall have the money, and if the squire wants to disposeof the mortgage, I shall be ready to take it off his hands."Frank tried to feel that he was foolish in apprehending troublefrom Squire Haynes, but he found it impossible to rid himself ofa vague feeling of uneasiness.He made application to another farmer--an intimate friend of hisfather's--but he had just purchased and paid for a five-acre lotadjoining his farm, and that had stripped him of money. He, too,bade Frank lay aside all anxiety, and assured him that his fearswere groundless.With this Frank had to be content."Perhaps I am foolish," he said to himself. "I'll try to think nomore about it."He accordingly returned to his usual work, and, not wishing totrouble his mother to no purpose, resolved not to impart hisfears to her. Another ground of relief suggested itself to him.Mr. Morton would probably be back on the 27th of June. Such, atleast, was his anticipation when he went away. There was reasonto believe that he would be both ready and willing to take up themortgage, if needful. This thought brought back Frank'scheerfulness.It was somewhat dashed by the following letter which he receiveda day or two later from his absent friend. It was dated New York,June 25, 1863. As will appear from its tenor, it prepared Frankfor a further delay in Mr. Morton's arrival."DEAR FRANK: I shall not be with you quite as soon as I intended.I hope, however, to return a day or two afterward at latest. Mybusiness is going on well, and I am assured of final success.Will you ask your mother if she can accommodate an acquaintanceof mine for a day or two? I shall bring him with me from NewYork, and shall feel indebted for the accommodation."Your true friend,"HENRY MORTON."Frank understood at once that the acquaintance referred to mustbe the clerk, whose evidence was so important to Mr. Morton'scase. Being enjoined to secrecy, however, he, of course, feltthat he was not at liberty to mention this.One day succeeded another until at length the morning of thethirtieth of June dawned. Mr. Morton had not yet arrived; but, onthe other hand, nothing had been heard from Squire Haynes.Frank began to breathe more freely. He persuaded himself that hehad been foolishly apprehensive. "The squire means to renew themortgage," he said to himself hopefully.He had a talk with his mother, and she agreed that it would bewell to pay the four hundred dollars they could spare, and have anew mortgage made out for the balance. Frank accordingly rodeover to Brandon in the forenoon, and withdrew from the bank theentire sum there deposited to his father's credit. This, withmoney which had been received from Mr. Morton in payment of hisboard, made up the requisite amount.About four o'clock in the afternoon, as Mrs. Frost was sewing ata front window, she exclaimed to Frank, who was making a kite forhis little brother Charlie, "Frank, there's Squire Haynes comingup the road."Frank's heart gave an anxious bound."Is he coming here?" he asked, with anxiety."Yes," said Mrs. Frost, after a moment's pause. Frank turned palewith apprehension.A moment afterward the huge knocker was heard to sound, and Mrs.Frost, putting down her work, smoothed her apron and went to thedoor."Good afternoon, Mrs. Frost," said the squire, lifting his hat."Good afternoon, Squire Haynes. Won't you walk in?""Thank you; I will intrude for a few minutes. How do you do?" hesaid, nodding to Frank as he entered."Pretty well, thank you, sir," said Frank nervously.The squire, knowing the odium which would attach to the course hehad settled upon, resolved to show the utmost politeness to thefamily he was about to injure, and justify his action by the pleaof necessity."Take a seat, Squire Haynes," said Mrs. Frost "You'll find thisrocking-chair more comfortable.'"I am very well seated, thank you. I cannot stop long. I havemerely called on a matter of business.""About the mortgage?" interrupted Frank, who could keep silenceno longer."Precisely so. I regret to say that I have urgent occasion forthe money, and shall be unable to renew it.""We have got four hundred dollars," said Mrs. Frost, "which weare intending to pay.""I am sorry to say that this will not answer my purpose.""Why did you not let us know before?" asked Frank abruptly."Frank!" said his mother reprovingly."It was only this morning that the necessity arose. I have a notedue which must be paid.""We are not provided with the money, Squire Haynes," said Mrs.Frost. "if, however, you will wait a few days, we can probablyraise it among our friends.""I regret to say that this will not do," said the squire, "Iwould gladly postpone the matter. The investment has beensatisfactory to me, but necessity knows no law."Frank was about to burst out with some indignant exclamation, buthis mother, checking him, said: "I think there is little chanceof our being able to pay you to-morrow. May I inquire what courseyou propose to take?""It will be my painful duty to foreclose the mortgage.""Squire Haynes," said Frank boldly, "haven't you intended toforeclose the mortgage all along? Hadn't you decided about itwhen I called upon you ten days ago?""What do you mean by your impertinence, sir?" demanded thesquire, giving vent to his anger."Just what I say. I believe you bear a grudge against my father,and only put me off the other day in order to prevent my beingable to meet your demands to-morrow. What do you suppose we cando in less than twenty-four hours?""Madam!" said the squire, purple with rage, "do you permit yourson to insult me in this manner?""I leave it to your conscience, Squire Haynes, whether hischarges are not deserved. I do not like to think ill of any man,but your course is very suspicious.""Madam," said Squire Haynes, now thoroughly enraged, "you are awoman, and can say what you please; but as for this young rascal,I'll beat him within an inch of his life if I ever catch him outof your presence.""He is under the protection of the laws," said Mrs. Frostcomposedly, "which you, being a lawyer, ought to understand.""I'll have no mercy on you. I'll sell you up root and branch,"said Squire Haynes, trembling with passion, and smiting the floorwith his cane."At all events the house is ours to-day," returned Mrs. Frost,with dignity, "and I must request you to leave us in quietpossession of it."The squire left the house in undignified haste, muttering threatsas he went."Good, mother!" exclaimed Frank admiringly. "You turned him outcapitally. But," he added, an expression of dismay stealing overhis face, "what shall we do?""We must try to obtain a loan," said Mrs. Frost, "I will go andsee Mr. Sanger, while you go to Mr. Perry. Possibly they may helpus. There is no time to be lost."An hour afterward Frank and his mother returned, bothdisappointed. Mr. Sanger and Mr. Perry both had the will to helpbut not the ability. There seemed no hope left save in Mr.Morton. At six o'clock the stage rolled up to the gate."Thank Heaven! Mr. Morton has come!" exclaimed Frank eagerly.Mr. Morton got out of the stage, and with him a feeble old man,or such he seemed, whom the young man assisted to alight. Theycame up the gravel walk together."How do you do, Frank?" he said, with a cheerful smile."We are in trouble," said Frank. "Squire Haynes is going toforeclose the mortgage to-morrow.""Never mind!" said Mr. Morton. "We will be ready for him. Hecan't do either of us any more mischief, Frank. His race is aboutrun."A heavy weight seemed lifted from Frank's heart. For the rest ofthe day he was in wild spirits. He asked no questions of Mr.Morton. He felt a firm confidence that all would turn out for thebest.