Chapter XXIV. Harry's Letter

by Horatio Alger

　　During Harry's absence, the little household at Granton had gotalong about as usual. They lived from hand to mouth. It requiredsharp financiering to provide food and clothes for the littlefamily.There was one neighbor who watched their progress sharply and thiswas Squire Green. It will be remembered that he had bound Mr. Waltonto forfeit ten dollars, if, at the end of six months, he was notprepared to pay the forty dollars and interest which he had agreedto pay for the cow. It is a proof of the man's intense meannessthat, though rich while his neighbor was poor, he was strongly inhopes that the latter would incur the forfeit and be compelled topay it.One morning Squire Green accosted Mr. Walton, the squire being atwork in his own front yard."Good morning, neighbor Walton," he said."Good morning, squire.""How is that cow a-doin'?""Pretty well.""She's a good cow.""Not so good as the one I lost.""You're jokin' now, neighbor. It was my best cow. I wouldn't havesold her except to obleege.""She doesn't give as much milk as my old one.""Sho! I guess you don't feed her as well as I did.""She fares just as well as the other one did. Of course, I don'tknow how you fed her.""She allers had her fill when she was with me. Le' me see, how longis it since I sold her to ye?"Though the squire apparently asked for information, he knew thetime to a day and was not likely to forget."It's between four and five months, I believe.""Jus'so. You was to be ready to pay up at the end of six months.""That was the agreement.""You'd better be a-savin' up for it.""There isn't much chance of my saving. It's all I can do to makeboth ends meet.""You don't say so," said the squire, secretly pleased."My farm is small and poor, and doesn't yield much.""But you work out, don't you?""When I get a chance. You don't want any help, do you, squire? Imight work off part of the debt that way.""Mebbe next spring I'd like some help.""That will be too late to meet my note, unless you'll renew.""I'll see about it," said the squire, evasively. "What do you hearfrom that boy of yours? Is he doin' well?""He's at work in a shoe shop.""Does it pay well?""He doesn't get much just at first.""Then he won't be able to pay for the cow," thought the squire."That's what I wanted to know.""He'd better have gone to work for me," he said"No, I think he will do better away from home. He will get a goodtrade that he can fall back upon hereafter, even if he follows someother business.""Wal, I never learned no trade but I've got along middlin' well,"said the squire, in a complacent tone. "Farmin's good enough forme.""I would say the same if I had your farm, squire. You wouldn'texchange, would you?""That's a good joke, neighbor Walton. When I make up my mind to doit. I'll let you know.""What a mean old curmudgeon he is!" thought Hiram Walton, as he kepton his way to the village store. "He evidently intends to keep meto my agreement and will exact the ten dollars in case I can't payfor the cow at the appointed time. It will be nothing but a robbery."This was not the day for a letter from Harry but it occurred to Mr.Walton to call at the post office. Contrary to his anticipations,a letter was handed him."I won't open it till I get home," he said to himself."I've got a letter from Harry," he said, as he entered the house."A letter from Harry? It isn't his day for writing," said Mrs.Walton. "What does he say?""I haven't opened the letter yet. Here, Tom, open and read italoud."Tom opened the letter and read as follows:"Dear Father:--I must tell you, to begin with, that I have beencompelled to stop work in the shoe shop. The market is overstockedand trade has become very dull."Of course, I felt quite bad when Mr. Leavitt told me this, for Ifeared it would prevent my helping you pay for the cow, as I wantso much to do. I went round to several other shops, hoping to getin, but I found it impossible. Still, I have succeeded in gettingsomething to do that will pay me better than work in the shop. Ifyou were to guess all day, I don't believe you would guess whatbusiness it is. So, to relieve your suspense, I will tell you thatI have engaged as assistant to Professor Henderson, the famousmagician and ventriloquist and am to start to-morrow on a tour withhim.""Assistant to a magician!" exclaimed Mrs. Walton"What does the boy know about magic?""It's a bully business," said Tom, enthusiastically. "I only wishI was in Harry's shoes. I'd like to travel round with a magicianfirst-rate.""You're too thick-headed, Tom," said Marry."Shut up!" said Tom. "I guess I'm as smart as you, any day.""Be quiet, both of you!" said Mr. Walton. "Now, Tom, go on withyour brother's letter."Tom proceeded: "I am to take money at the door. We are going aboutin the southern part of the State and shall visit some towns inMassachusetts, the professor says. You know I've never been roundany and I shall like traveling and seeing new places. ProfessorHenderson is very kind and I think I shall like him. He pays mytraveling expenses and five dollars a week, which is nearly twiceas much money as I got from Mr. Leavitt. I can't help thinkingI am lucky in getting so good a chance only a day after I lost myplace in the shoe shop. I hope, yet, to be able to pay for the cowwhen the money comes due."Love to all at home."Harry.""Harry's lucky," said Mary. "He can get along.""He is fortunate to find employment at once," said his father;"though something which he can follow steadily is better. But thepay is good and I am glad he has it.""How long it seems since Harry was at home," said his mother. "Iwish I could see him.""Yes, it would be pleasant," said Mr. Walton; "but the boy has hisown way to make, so we will be thankful that he is succeeding sowell."