CHAPTER X
THE CLOUDS GATHER
At twelve o'clock Abner Holden returned home, still in good humor. Ashe did not anticipate another call from his expected customer until theafternoon, he made no inquiries.
"Perhaps he won't hear about it," thought Herbert, and as he did notwish to have any trouble with Mr. Holden, he hoped it might prove so.
Abner was so elated at the thought of his good bargain in prospect, thathe could not keep it to himself.
"I've about sold Spitfire, Mrs. Bickford," he said to the housekeeper.
"Sold Spitfire! Who wants to buy him?"
"A man that called here this morning. What do you think he wants himfor?"
"To break his neck," suggested the housekeeper.
"He wants him for a good family horse for his wife to drive," and AbnerHolden burst into a laugh.
"Perhaps he's anxious to become a widower," said Mrs. Bickford.
"No; the fact is he thinks the horse is gentle."
"You told him so, I suppose?"
"Of course, I did."
"Knowing it to be false?"
"Shut up, Mrs. Bickford. You know all is fair in trade."
"No, I don't, Mr. Holden. To my mind, a lie's just as much a liein trade as in anything else. I suppose the man trusted to yourrecommendation."
"Suppose he did. I got cheated on the horse, and I've got to get rid ofit, somehow. As it is, I shall make a handsome profit."
"Well, Mr. Holden, all I've got to say is, I am glad I haven't got astough a conscience as you have."
"You don't know anything about business, Mrs. Bickford."
"Well, manage things your own way. I ain't responsible, but I pity thepoor man if he buys Spitfire."
"So do I," chuckled Abner. "That's where you and I agree, Mrs.Bickford."
Herbert listened in silence. He was disgusted with the utter disregardof fair dealing exhibited by Abner Holden, though he was not surprisedat it. He felt glad that he had been the means of saving Mr. Richmondfrom being overreached, though he know very well that Mr. Holden's ragewould be furious when he learned what had interfered with the trade.He did not feel under any obligations to reveal his own agency in thematter, unless direct inquiry was made of him. In that case, he wouldmanfully stand by his acts.
"I'm expecting the man this afternoon, Mrs. Bickford," said Mr. Holden,"and shall stay around home to see him. When he comes, call me at once;and mind, not a word about Spitfire."
"Just as you say. I wash my hands of the whole affair."
"Washing your hands won't do you any harm," said Abner, with a laugh atwhat he supposed to be a witticism.
Mrs. Bickford took no notice of this remark. It was not quite easy tosay why she remained in charge of Mr. Holden's household, for certainly,she had no respect for her employer. However, he did not meddle withher, or, if he did, he got the worst of it, and it was perhaps theindependence that she enjoyed which led her to remain in the house.Knowing Abner's character, she was not particularly shocked at thislast evidence of it, but went about her work as usual, with scarcely athought of what had passed.
Abner Holden sat at the window, and looked up the road, awaitinganxiously the appearance of the customer.
"I hope he'll bring the money with him," he thought. "I'd like to havematters all arranged to-day, before he smells a rat. If I get the moneyonce in my hands, he may scold all he pleases about the horse. It won'tdisturb my rest."
But the old clock in the corner kept ticking--minute after minutepassed--and still the stranger did not appear.
"He can't have struck a bargain with Sam Nichols," muttered Abner,apprehensively. "If he has, it'll be sort of a swindle on me. MaybeNichols has been telling him lies about me."
Abner waxed so angry over this supposition, that although it was merelyconjecture, he already began to consider in what way he could "come upwith Sam Nichols."
"That money would come very handy," thought Abner. "There's a horseworth two of Spitfire, I can get for a hundred and fifty, and that wouldleave me a hundred. I wish he would come."
He looked out of the window, and, not content with that, went out of thefront door, and, shading his eyes with his hands, looked up the road.But he could see nothing of Mr. Richmond. Abner began to fear that hehad lost his bargain.
"I guess I'll put on my hat and go round to the tavern," he said to Mrs.Bickford. "If the gentleman I spoke of should call while I am away, justsend the boy around after me as quick as possible."
"Very well."
Abner Holden walked hurriedly to the tavern, determined to bring abouta bargain, which would be so desirable for him, if it were a possiblething. He must and would get rid of Spitfire, however many falsehoodshe might have to tell. What was truth in comparison to two hundred andfifty dollars! Suppose Spitfire should run away with the stranger's wifeand break her limbs, or even her neck, it was everybody's duty to lookout for himself in this world.
Thus reasoned Abner Holden. There is no particular need of my commentingupon the fallacy of this reasoning, since it is not likely that any ofmy young readers will sufficiently admire his character to be in anydanger of being led into imitation of it.
At the end of a very few minutes, Abner stood on the piazza, of thetavern, a little out of breath with rapid walking.
"Is Mr. Richmond still here?" he inquired of the landlord, anxiously.
"Yes, but he means to leave in five minutes."
"Where is he?"
"In his room."
"I want to see him on particular business--I wish you would send up andask him to come down."
"Very well."
"William," said the landlord, summoning his son, "go up and tell Mr.Richmond that Mr. Holden wishes to see him."
"You don't know of his having bought a horse of Sam Nichols, do you?"asked Abner, nervously, of the landlord.
"No, I am sure he has not."
Abner felt somewhat relieved by this. As long as he was still unprovidedwith a horse, there was still a chance of Spitfire. He resolved, ifnecessary, to abate something from the rather high price he had demandedin the morning.
Mr. Richmond followed William downstairs.
"You wish to see me?" he asked, glancing toward Mr. Holden.
"Yes, about the horse you were looking at this morning."
"I have concluded not to take him," said the other, coldly.
"You didn't buy of Sam Nichols, did you?"
"No; his horse did not suit me."
"You haven't any other in your eye, have you?" asked Mr. Holden.
"No."
"Then, hadn't you better look at mine again?" he said, persuasively.
"It would be of no use."
"If the price is any objection," said Abner, insinuatingly, "I don'tknow but I might say a LEETLE less, though the animal's wuth more'n Iask for it."
"It isn't the price that stands in the way, Mr. Holden."
"What is it, then? Sam Nichols hain't been slandering me, I hope. If hehas, I'll be even with him."
"Spare your anger against Sam Nichols. He said nothing against you;though I believe you warned me against him."
"Yes, I did. I felt it my duty to caution you, so you might not beoverreached by him."
"You prefer to overreach me yourself," said the other, quietly.
Abner started, and changed color.
"What do you mean?" he said. "Who told you I wanted to overreach you?"
"Why, this is the way the matter stands. I asked you for a good familyhorse, such as my wife might drive with safety. Didn't you understand meso?"
"Of course."
"And you tried to sell me an ill-tempered brute, blind of one eye, foran extortionate price. Can you deny it?"
"Somebody's been telling you a pack of lies," said Abner, hoarsely.
"I don't think they are lies. I have every reason to think they aretrue. By the way, what is the animal's name?"
"Spitfire," said Abner, rather reluctantly.
"A good name f
or a family horse," said the stranger, sarcastically.
"Where did you learn all this?" demanded Abner. "Who's been slanderingthe horse?"
"I got my information at your place, from one who ought to know."
A light dawned upon Abner Holden's mind.
"Herbert told him," muttered Abner to himself. "That cursed boy hasspoiled my bargain, and he shall smart for it."
In a furious rage, he retraced his steps homeward, breathing threats ofvengeance dire against our hero.