"I know that, John; but I shall feel uneasy until the mortgage is paid off, and he is out of Squire Hudson's power."
"For how long a time has the farm your father owns been encumbered with this mortgage?"
"Is the mortgage for any specified term of years?"
"In that case this Squire Hudson could foreclose at any time, could he not?"
"Don't make yourself uneasy about it, however," said Miles, observing that Tom seemed apprehensive. "As your father's farm is not particularly valuable, there can be no danger of foreclosure. By the way, wouldn't you like to have me remit your father something next month out of the profits of the business?--I can charge it to your account."
"I am glad you mentioned it, John. You may send him fifty or seventy-five dollars, if my share should amount to so much."
"And I am going to have my home letters directed to your care. You can forward them to me whenever you have an opportunity."
"I won't fail, Tom. If there is anything you need sent out to you, you have only to write me, and I will attend to your commissions."
"It is very convenient to have an agent in the city," said John, smiling. "I shall feel much more comfortable out at the mines."
"I wish you good luck, Tom; but remember, even if you don't succeed in your search for gold, I shall be making money for you here."
"You make me feel quite like a capitalist, John."
"I hope you may be one some day. Good-by!"
They shook hands and parted. Before night-fall Tom had started on his new journey in quest of gold.
Mark Nelson missed sorely the cow which he had been compelled to yield to the squire on account of default of interest. Whiteface was his best cow, and a great favorite with all the children. She gave nearly as much milk as the other two, and had been one of the main dependences of the family. It was worth considerably more than the thirty dollars for which the squire took it; but he insisted upon that and no other, and Whiteface had to go.
Six months had passed, and there seemed to be very little chance of redeeming the lost cow. Squire Hudson had agreed to give her back on payment of the balance due, with accrued interest; but neither he nor Mark Nelson expected that such an offer would be made.