Frank's Campaign; Or, The Farm and the Camp by Jr. Horatio Alger (short novels in english .TXT) ๐
Read free book ยซFrank's Campaign; Or, The Farm and the Camp by Jr. Horatio Alger (short novels in english .TXT) ๐ยป - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online ยซFrank's Campaign; Or, The Farm and the Camp by Jr. Horatio Alger (short novels in english .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
โYou won't gain anything by your impudence,โ he said loftily. โI might have got you a place, out of pity to your mother, if you had behaved differently. I need a boy to do odd jobs about the house, and I might have offered the place to you.โ
โThank you for your kind intentions,โ said Frank, โbut I fear the care of this farm will prevent my accepting your tempting offer.โ
โThe care of the farm!โ repeated the squire angrily. โDo you think I will delegate it to you?โ
โI don't see what you have to do about it,โ said Frank.
โThen you'll find out,โ roared the squire. โI shall take immediate possession, and require you to leave at once.โ
โThen I suppose we had better pay the mortgage, mother,โ said Frank.
โPay the mortgage! You can't do it,โ said the squire exultingly.
โHave you the document with you?โ inquired Mrs. Frost.
โYes, madam.โ
โName the amount due on it.โ
โWith interest eight hundred and twenty-four dollars.โ
โFrank, call in Mr. Morton as a witness.โ
Mr. Morton entered.
โNow, Frank, you may count out the money.โ
โWhat!โ stammered the squire, in dismay, โcan you pay it.โ
โWe can.โ
โWhy didn't you tell me so in the first place?โ demanded Squire Haynes, his wrath excited by his bitter disappointment.
โI wished to ascertain whether your course was dictated by necessity or a desire to annoy and injure us. I can have no further doubt about it.โ
There was no help for it. Squire Haynes was compelled to release his hold upon the Frost Farm, and pocket his money. He had never been so sorry to receive money before.
This business over, he was about to beat a hurried retreat, when he was suddenly arrested by a question from Henry Morton.
โCan you spare me a few minutes, Squire Haynes?โ
โI am in haste, sir.โ
โMy business is important, and has already been too long delayed.โ
โToo long delayed?โ
โYes, it has waited twelve years.โ
โI don't understand you, sir,โ said the squire.
โPerhaps I can assist you. You know me as Henry Morton. That is not my real name.โ
โAn alias!โ sneered the squire in a significant tone.
โYes, I had my reasons,โ returned the young man, unmoved.
โI have no doubt of it.โ
Henry Morton smiled, but did not otherwise notice the unpleasant imputation.
โMy real name is Richard Waring.โ
Squire Haynes started violently and scrutinized the young man closely through his spectacles. His vague suspicions were confirmed.
โDo you wish to know my business with you?โ
The squire muttered something inaudible.
โI demand the restitution of the large sum of money entrusted to you by my father, just before his departure to the West Indiesโa sum of which you have been the wrongful possessor for twelve years.โ
โDo you mean to insult me?โ exclaimed the squire, bold in the assurance that the sole evidence of his fraud was undiscovered.
โUnless you comply with my demand I shall proceed against you legally, and you are enough of a lawyer to understand the punishment meted out to that description of felony.โ
โPooh, pooh! Your threats won't avail you,โ said the squire contemptuously. โYour plan is a very clumsy one. Let me suggest to you, young man, that threats for the purpose of extorting money are actionable.โ
โDo you doubt my identity?โ
โYou may very probably be the person you claim to be, but that won't save you.โ
โVery well. You have conceded one point.โ
He walked quietly to the door of the adjoining room, opened it, and in a distinct voice called โJames Travers.โ
At the sound of this name Squire Haynes sank into a chair, ashy pale.
A man, not over forty, but with seamed face, hair nearly white, and a form evidently broken with ill health, slowly entered.
Squire Haynes beheld him with dismay.
โYou see before you, Squire Haynes, a man whose silence has been your safeguard for the last twelve years. His lips are now unsealed. James Travers, tell us what you know of the trust reposed in this man by my father.โ
โNo, no,โ said the squire hurriedly. โItโit is enough. I will make restitution.โ
โYou have done wisely,โ said Richard Waring. (We must give him his true name.) โWhen will you be ready to meet me upon this business?โ
โTo-morrow,โ muttered the squire.
He left the house with the air of one who has been crushed by a sudden blow.
The pride of the haughty had been laid low, and retribution, long deferred, had come at last.
Numerous and hearty were the congratulations which Mr. MortonโI mean Mr. Waringโreceived upon his new accession of property.
โI do not care so much for that,โ he said, โbut my father's word has been vindicated. My mind is now at peace.โ
There was more than one happy heart at the farm that night. Mr. Waring had accomplished the great object of his life; and as for Frank and his mother, they felt that the black cloud which had menaced their happiness had been removed, and henceforth there seemed prosperous days in store. To cap the climax of their happiness, the afternoon mail brought a letter from Mr. Frost, in which he imparted the intelligence that he had been promoted to a second lieutenancy.
โMother,โ said Frank, โyou must be very dignified now, You are an officer's wife.โ
CHAPTER XXXIII. CONCLUSION
The restitution which Squire Haynes was compelled to make stripped him of more than half his property. His mortification and chagrin was so great that he determined to remove from Rossville. He gave no intimation where he was going, but it
Comments (0)