Chapter XXX. Frank Calls on Squire Haynes

by Horatio Alger

　　The next morning Mr. Morton was a passenger by the early stagefor Webbington, where he took the train for Boston. Thence he wasto proceed to New York by the steamboat train."Good-by, Mr. Morton," said Frank, waving his cap as the stagestarted. "I hope you'll soon be back.""I hope so, too; good-by."Crack went the whip, round went the wheels. The horses started,and the stage rumbled off, swaying this way and that, as iftop-heavy.Frank went slowly back to the house, feeling quite lonely. He hadbecome so accustomed to Mr. Morton's companionship that hisdeparture left a void which he hardly knew how to fill.As he reflected upon Mr. Morton's story he began to feel anincreased uneasiness at the mortgage held by Squire Haynes uponhis father's farm. The time was very near at hand--only ten daysoff--when the mortgage might be foreclosed, and but half themoney was in readiness.Perhaps, however, Squire Haynes had no intention of foreclosing.If so, there was no occasion for apprehension. But about this hefelt by no means certain.He finally determined, without consulting his mother, to make thesquire a visit and inquire frankly what he intended to do. Thesquire's answer would regulate his future proceedings.It was Frank's rule--and a very good one, too --to do at oncewhatever needed to be done. He resolved to lose no time in makinghis call."Frank," said his mother, as he entered the house, "I want you togo down to the store some time this forenoon, and get me half adozen pounds of sugar.""Very well, mother, I'll go now. I suppose it won't make anydifference if I don't come back for an hour or two.""No, that will be in time."Mrs. Frost did not ask Frank where he was going. She had perfectfaith in him, and felt sure that he would never become involvedin anything discreditable.Frank passed through the village without stopping at the store.He deferred his mother's errand until his return. Passing up thevillage street, he stopped before the fine house of SquireHaynes. Opening the gate he walked up the graveled path and rangthe bell.A servant-girl came to the door."Is Squire Haynes at home?" inquired Frank."Yes, but he's eating breakfast.""Will he be through soon?""Shure and I think so.""Then I will step in and wait for him.""Who shall I say it is?""Frank Frost."Squire Haynes had just passed his cup for coffee when Bridgetentered and reported that Frank Frost was in the drawing-room andwould like to see him when he had finished his breakfast."Frank Frost!" repeated the squire, arching his eyebrows. "Whatdoes he want, I wonder?""Shure he didn't say," said Bridget."Very well.""He is captain of the boys' company, John, isn't he?" asked thesquire."Yes," said John sulkily. "I wish him joy of his office. Iwouldn't have anything to do with such a crowd of ragamuffins."Of course the reader understands that this was "sour grapes" onJohn's part.Finishing his breakfast leisurely, Squire Haynes went into theroom where Frank was sitting patiently awaiting him.Frank rose as he entered."Good morning, Squire Haynes," he said, politely rising as hespoke."Good morning," said the squire coldly. "You are an earlyvisitor."If this was intended for a rebuff, Frank did not choose to takeany notice of it."I call on a little matter of business, Squire Haynes," continuedFrank."Very well," said the squire, seating himself in a luxuriousarmchair, "I am ready to attend to you.""I believe you hold a mortgage on our farm."Squire Haynes started. The thought of Frank's real business hadnot occurred to him. He had hoped that nothing would have beensaid in relation to the mortgage until he was at liberty toforeclose, as he wished to take the Frosts unprepared. He nowresolved, if possible, to keep Frank in ignorance of his realpurpose, that he might not think it necessary to prepare for hisattack."Yes," said he indifferently; "I hold quite a number ofmortgages, and one upon your father's farm among them.""Isn't the time nearly run out?" asked Frank anxiously."I can look if you desire it," said the squire, in the sameindifferent tone."I should be glad if you would.""May I ask why you are desirous of ascertaining the precisedate?" asked the squire. "Are you intending to pay off themortgage?""No, sir," said Frank. "We are not prepared to do so at present."Squire Haynes felt relieved. He feared for a moment that Mr.Frost had secured the necessary sum, and that he would bedefeated in his wicked purpose.He drew out a large number of papers, which he ratherostentatiously scattered about the table, and finally came to themortgage."The mortgage comes due on the first of July," he said."Will it be convenient for you to renew it, Squire Haynes?" askedFrank anxiously. "Father being absent, it would be inconvenientfor us to obtain the amount necessary to cancel it. Of course, Ishall be ready to pay the interest promptly.""Unless I should have sudden occasion for the money," said thesquire, "I will let it remain. I don't think you need feel anyanxiety on the subject."With the intention of putting Frank off his guard, Squire Haynesassumed a comparatively gracious tone. This, in the case of anyother man, would have completely reassured Frank. But he had astrong distrust of the squire, since the revelation of hischaracter made by his friend Mr. Morton."Could you tell me positively?" he asked, still uneasy. "It isonly ten days now to the first of July, and that is little enoughto raise the money in.""Don't trouble yourself," said the squire. "I said unless I hadsudden occasion for the money, because unforeseen circumstancesmight arise. But as I have a considerable sum lying at the bank,I don't anticipate anything of the kind.""I suppose you will give me immediate notice, should it benecessary. We can pay four hundred dollars now. So, if youplease, the new mortgage can be made out for half the presentamount.""Very well," said the squire carelessly. "Just as you please asto that. Still, as you have always paid my interest regularly, Iconsider the investment a good one, and have no objection to thewhole remaining.""Thank you, sir," said Frank, rising to go.Frank took his hat, and, bowing to the squire, sought the frontdoor. His face wore a perplexed expression. He hardly knew whatto think about the interview he had just had."Squire Haynes talks fair enough," he soliloquized; "and,perhaps, he means what he says. If it hadn't been for what Mr.Morton told me, I should have confidence in him. But a man whowill betray a trust is capable of breaking his word to me. Ithink I'll look round a little, and see if I can't provide forthe worse in case it comes."Just after Frank left the house, John entered his father'spresence."What did Frank Frost want of you, father?" he asked."He came about the mortgage.""Did he want to pay it?""No, he wants me to renew it.""Of course you refused.""Of course I did no such thing. Do you think I am a fool?""You don't mean to say that you agreed to renew it?" demandedJohn, in angry amazement.Squire Haynes rather enjoyed John's mystification."Come," said he, "I'm afraid you'll never make a lawyer if you'renot sharper than that comes to. Never reveal your plans to youradversary. That's an important principle. If I had refused, hewould have gone to work, and in ten days between now and thefirst of July, he'd have managed in some way to scrape togetherthe eight hundred dollars. He's got half of it now.""What did you tell him, then?""I put him off by telling him not to trouble himself--that Iwould not foreclose the mortgage unless I had unexpected occasionfor the money.""Yes, I see," said John, his face brightening at the anticipateddisaster to the Frosts. "You'll take care that there shall besome sudden occasion.""Yes," said the squire complacently. "I'll have a note come due,which I had not thought about, or something of the kind.""Oh, that'll be bully.""Don't use such low words, John. I have repeatedly requested youto be more careful about your language. By the way, your teachertold me yesterday that you are not doing as well now asformerly.""Oh, he's an old muff. Besides, he's got a spite against me. Ishould do a good deal better at another school.""We'll see about that. But I suspect he's partly right.""Well, how can a feller study when he knows the teacher isdetermined to be down upon him?"" 'Feller!' I am shocked at hearing you use that word. 'Down uponhim,' too!""Very well; let me go where I won't hear such language spoken."It would have been well if Squire Haynes had been as much shockedby bad actions as by low language.This little disagreement over, they began again to anticipatewith pleasure the effect of the squire's premeditated blow uponthe Frosts."We'll come up with 'em?" said John, with inward exultation.Meanwhile, though the squire was entirely unconscious of it,there was a sword hanging over his own head.