CHAPTER XXIX.
BAD NEWS FROM HOME.
Arriving in the city late in the afternoon, Tom went at once to see JohnMiles. When the latter caught sight of Tom, in his ragged attire, hecame to the natural conclusion that our hero had met with hard luck.
"Why, Tom, where did you spring from?" he exclaimed, grasping the handof his young partner.
"I am just in from the mines."
"I suppose you are in want of money," said Miles, his voice betrayingsympathy.
Tom laughed.
"How do you like my appearance, John?" he asked.
"Never mind that, Tom. I see you have had a rough time; but I have beenearning money for you."
"Did you send money regularly to father?"
"Yes; I have sent him three hundred dollars in all."
"That's good," said Tom, in a tone of satisfaction. "That has made himeasy. I suppose that took up about all I was entitled to?"
"No; I have as much more to your credit. I am ready to pay it to you atonce."
"I see, John, you think I have not been doing well."
"You don't look very prosperous, Tom, I must acknowledge."
"Well, John, appearances are deceitful. I have been wonderfully lucky."
"I am delighted to hear it, Tom," said Miles, cordially. "How much is itnow?"
"What do you say to a thousand dollars?"
"Excellent."
"Two thousand?"
"You don't mean it!"
"I won't keep you in suspense, John. I don't know exactly how much I'vegot, but it's over six thousand dollars!"
John Miles stared at our hero in undisguised astonishment.
"Are you sure you're quite right _here_?" he said, touching hisforehead. "You haven't been sun-struck, have you?"
"No, John, it's all as I tell you. Let me explain how my luck came."
In a few sentences Tom made it clear to his partner that his luck wasreal.
"As to the three hundred dollars due me from you, John," concluded Tom,"I make you a present of it."
"But, Tom--" protested Miles.
"Let it be so, and for the future you shall pay me my share. Have youany letters for me?"
"I have three."
"Give them to me, quick. I am hungry for news from home."
Tom sat down on a keg, and fairly devoured the letters, two of whichwere from his father. One of these gave him much to think of. I willtranscribe the passages which gave Tom most concern:--
"Yesterday I paid Squire Hudson his regular semi-annual interest,amounting to sixty-six dollars. Thanks to your liberal remittances, Ihad no difficulty in making the payment. Indeed, I had two hundreddollars left over. Imagine my dismay when the squire told me he had madeup his mind to call in the mortgage, having another use for the money.
"'But I can't pay it up,' said I.
"'You ought to be able to obtain the money somewhere,' he returned.
"'You are the only capitalist with whom I am acquainted,' said I.'Since I have paid you the interest promptly, what more can you desire?'
"He insisted that he needed the money. I offered to pay him the twohundred dollars which he had advanced for your journey. He seemedsurprised, but repeated that he must have the whole. The upshot of itwas that he gave me a formal notice of three months, as stipulated inthe mortgage. At the end of that time, unless I am ready to pay thetwenty-two hundred dollars, he will foreclose, and the old farm must besold. Of course it will be sold much below its real value. Probably thesquire will get it for the amount of the mortgage, and we shall bethrown upon the world, without a home. It seems hard, Tom, and veryselfish; but might makes right, and Squire Hudson has the power on hisside."
In a postscript Mark Nelson added, "I understand that Squire Hudson hasa connection, his wife's brother, for whom he wants the farm. Thatexplains his resolute refusal to give me time to redeem it. Of course itis too early to decide upon any plans. I must hire some tenement to moveinto when I have to leave here. It will be hard upon us all to give upthe old farm. Walter, who has a taste for farming, and whom I look to bemy successor, feels very sad. Don't let this news depress you too much,Tom. We shall not suffer. Thanks to you, I have some money ahead, and weshall not lack for comfort."
Tom looked up when he had finished reading the letter.
"John," he said, quickly, "when does the next steamer start for NewYork?"
"Day after to-morrow."
"Where can I engage passage?"
"Are you going home?"
"Yes, John, it is absolutely necessary. Squire Hudson is about toforeclose the mortgage on my father's farm. I must be there to stop it."
"Have you money enough?"
"Three times over. He shall be defeated in his wicked purpose, or myname isn't Tom Nelson."
Tom spoke in a quick, indignant tone, and his voice had a manly ring.
"Wait, John, let me read you the letter."
"The man's a mean rascal!" said Miles. "A rich man who will takeadvantage of a poor man's necessity to deprive him of his home deservesto be horsewhipped."
"I shan't attempt that," said Tom, smiling; "but I will disappoint him.He little thinks I have it in my power to defeat his plans."
That very evening Tom engaged passage to New York, and two days later hesailed out of the Golden Gate.
"I don't know how long I shall be gone, John," he said. "You need sendme no remittances, for I have money enough with me. You will hear fromme as soon as I have reached home, and transacted my business withSquire Hudson."
"You will come out here again, Tom, won't you?"
"Yes, and before long. I have been so busily occupied making money thatI have seen almost nothing of San Francisco."
Tom did not journey alone. Ferguson, having thriven beyond hisexpectations, decided to sail to New York, and thence to Scotland, on avisit to his relatives, though he thought it probable he should comeback within a year. Dick Russell also was now in a position to study lawat home, and gave up the business of gold-mining forever.
"I owe all my present prosperity to you two," he said. "But for you Ishould have blown my brains out five months since."
"We owe our prosperity to you also," said Tom. "You guided us to themines from which we gathered a golden harvest."
"We have worked together, and been mutual helpers," said Ferguson. "Godhas favored us all, and to Him be the thanks!"