CHAPTER XXV.
WHITEFACE.
Mark Nelson missed sorely the cow which he had been compelled to yieldto the squire on account of default of interest. Whiteface was his bestcow, and a great favorite with all the children. She gave nearly as muchmilk as the other two, and had been one of the main dependences of thefamily. It was worth considerably more than the thirty dollars for whichthe squire took it; but he insisted upon that and no other, andWhiteface had to go.
Six months had passed, and there seemed to be very little chance ofredeeming the lost cow. Squire Hudson had agreed to give her back onpayment of the balance due, with accrued interest; but neither he norMark Nelson expected that such an offer would be made.
"I was passing Squire Hudson's to-day, and saw poor Whiteface," saidWalter, one evening. "I think she knew me, for when I called her shelowed back."
"I wish we had her back," said Sarah. "It was heartless in the squire totake her. He had a dozen cows of his own."
"He hasn't any heart," said Walter, "or, if he has, it must be prettysmall."
"We must not forget that he was entitled to some security for thebalance of interest I owe him," said the farmer.
"The cow was worth a good deal more than thirty dollars," said Sarah.
"Yes, she was; but I am not sure whether I could have got any more moneyfor her at a forced sale. Then you know the squire is pledged to giveher back whenever I can pay him the thirty dollars, with interest."
"I wish you could pay it now, father," said Walter.
"So do I, my boy; but I cannot, unless your brother sends me somemoney."
"It is three weeks since we have heard from Tom," said Mrs. Nelson,anxiously. "I am afraid he is sick."
"Don't worry yourself with imaginary fears, Mary," said her husband."Tom may be sick, of course; but he is strong and healthy, and we won'tfear such a thing without some ground. Probably a letter is on the wayfrom him now."
"I hope he is making money," said Walter. "I wish I were with him."
"I would never consent to have you go too," said Mrs. Nelson, hastily.
"I don't think Walter seriously thinks of asking leave," said Mr.Nelson, smiling. "As he is only thirteen years old, I should be inclinedto object myself. I must have him at home to help me with the farm."
"I should be perfectly contented to stay at home if we had Whitefaceback," said Walter. "I've a great mind to steal her out of the squire'syard. I bet she'd be glad to come."
"Don't speak in that way, Walter," said his father. "I dislike to haveyou speak of stealing, even in fun."
At this moment there was a knock at the front door. Farmer Nelson'shouse was an old-fashioned one, and not provided with a bell.
"Go to the door, Sarah," said her father.
Sarah obeyed.
"Good-evening, Nahum," she said to the village expressman.
"I've got a small package for your folks," said Nahum. "It's marked allover. Guess it came from Californy."
"It must be from Tom," exclaimed Sarah, in delight.
"That's what I thought," said the expressman, who knew everybody in thevillage, and could probably give a fairly correct list of their sisters,cousins, and aunts, with a fair guess at their worldly circumstances.
"Is there anything to pay, Nahum?"
"Only fifty cents,--the expressage from Boston. Never mind about it now,for I'm in a hurry. Your father can hand it to me next time he sees me."
"O father, here's a package from Tom," said Sarah, hurrying into theroom where they were all sitting.
"Open it quick," said Walter. "See if there's any money in it."
The cord was cut, and a small box was disclosed containing a hundreddollars in gold pieces and a line from Tom, stating that he was doingwell, and that he hoped soon to send some more money.
"A hundred dollars! What a lot of money!" exclaimed Walter, gazing onthe little pile of coins as if fascinated.
"I am so glad the dear boy is doing well," said Mrs. Nelson.
"Now we can have Whiteface back, can't we, father?" asked Walter,joyfully.
"Yes, Walter," said Mark Nelson, almost as excited as his son. "I willgo over the first thing in the morning."
"Can't we go over this evening?" asked Walter, impatiently.
"No, it is dark, and Whiteface is stalled for the night."
"You'll have seventy dollars left over, father, won't you?"
"Yes; and that will provide for my next interest. I feel grateful andhappy at Tom's success and his thoughtfulness."
Could Tom have seen the effect of his remittance it would have made hisheart glad, and he would have felt abundantly repaid for his labor andself-denial.