Alger Horatio Jr.
Andy Grant's Pluck
CHAPTER XXXIV.
SETH JOHNSON'S GIFT
It was four weeks before Seth Johnson became convalescent. His system was run down, and he was in a very critical state when found by Andy. Careful nursing saved him.
When able to get out, he accompanied Andy to show him his lots. The plot was about as large as Mr. Crawford's, but was a little further from the center of the town. It would make about twenty-five lots of the average size.
"How much will you take for the entire plot?" asked Andy.
"I don't want to sell the whole," said Johnson.
"I thought you meant to leave Tacoma for good?"
"So I do, but I propose to give one-fifth of the land to a friend."
"Then let me know how much you will take for the remaining four-fifths."
"Will five thousand dollars be too much?"
"I will buy it at that figure," said Andy, promptly.
"You don't ask me to whom I intend to give the fifth which I reserve?"
"It is probably no one whom I know."
"On the contrary, it is one whom you know well—it is yourself."
Andy looked his amazement.
"But how have I deserved such a gift?" he asked.
"You have saved my life. If you had not found and befriended me, I should not have been living at this moment. 'All that a man hath will he give in exchange for his life,' the Bible says. I don't give all, but I give merely one-fifth of my land. I have ten thousand dollars, besides, in San Francisco."
"I am deeply grateful to you, Mr. Johnson. I am a poor boy, and this unexpected gift will help me to carry out some plans for the benefit of my father, who is in an embarrassed condition."
"I advise you not to sell the land till you can sell at an advanced price."
"I shall not do so. When the Northern Pacific is completed I am sure lots will be much higher."
"To be sure. You are young and can wait. I am old, and I have no particular desire to make money. I have enough to see me through."
When Andy started for New York he had the company of Seth Johnson. It was agreed that the final arrangements for the transfer of the lots should take place in Mr. Crawford's office.
They reached the city without adventure, and Andy, with his new friend, reported at his employer's.
"I hope you are satisfied with what I have done, Mr. Crawford," said
Andy.
"Thoroughly so. You have made a good purchase. I shall pay you five hundred dollars as an acknowledgment of the service you have rendered me."
"But, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Johnson has already given me five lots."
"True; but this is his gift, not mine. You must not be afraid of becoming too rich. You will need all your money."
"Yes, sir, but not for myself. I can now relieve my father's anxiety."
"Do you intend to tell him the amount of your good fortune?"
"I will only tell him of your gift."
On the basis of the sum which Mr. Crawford paid for the other four-fifths, Andy's share of Mr. Johnson's land amounted to twelve hundred and fifty dollars. But when, three months later, active operations for the extension and completion of the railroad commenced, it could easily have been sold for double.
But Andy was too sagacious to sell. In a year his father's mortgage would be payable, and he wanted to be prepared for that.
Meanwhile Andy devoted himself with energy to mastering the details of the real estate business. Perhaps because he now himself owned real estate, he became very much interested in it. He was not able often to visit Arden, but he never let a week pass without writing a letter home.
It was usually addressed to his mother, as his father was more accustomed to guiding the plow than the pen. He also heard occasionally from his boy friends. No letters were more welcome than those of Valentine Burns. About three months before the mortgage became due he received the following from Valentine:
"DEAR ANDY: I wish I could see you oftener, but I know you are busy, and getting on. That is a great satisfaction to me. Your last letter informing me that you had been raised to fifteen dollars a week gave me much pleasure. I wanted to tell Conrad, only you didn't wish to have me. He is getting prouder and more disagreeable every day. He really seems to have a great spite against you, though I cannot understand why.
"I met him the other day, and he inquired after you. 'He hasn't been to Arden lately,' he said.
"'No,' I answered, 'he is too busy.'
"'Probably he can't afford the railway fare,' said Conrad.
"'I think he is getting good pay,' I said.
"'I know better. He isn't getting over six dollars at most,' said
Conrad.
"'Did he tell you so?' I asked.
"'No, but I heard on good authority,' he replied.
"'I wish I were getting that,' I said.
"'You wouldn't want to live on it,' he rejoined.
"'Well, perhaps not,' I admitted.
"'He won't long have a home to come back to,' said Conrad, after a pause.
"'Why not?' I inquired.
"'My father holds a mortgage on his father's farm, and it will fall due in three months,' he answered.
"'Surely he won't foreclose?'
"'Surely he will,' returned Conrad. 'Old Grant will have to leave the farm and go to the poorhouse, or, at any rate, to some small place like the Sam Martin house. It contains four rooms, and is good enough for a bankrupt.'
"This made me uneasy. I hope, Andy, you will find some friend who will be able and willing to advance money to pay the mortgage when it falls due. I hear Squire Carter is treating with a city man to buy the place. He evidently feels sure that it will come into his possession."
When Andy read this portion of the letter he smiled.
"I suspect Conrad and his father will be disappointed," he said to himself. "The city man will have to look elsewhere for an investment."
One day Andy had a pleasant surprise. Just in front of him on Broadway he saw a figure that looked familiar.
The tall, bent form, and long white hair he recognized at once as belonging to Dr. Crabb, the principal of Penhurst Academy.
He pressed forward.
"Dr. Crabb!" he exclaimed. "It is long since we have met. I hope you are well."
Dr. Crabb surveyed him with a puzzled look; Andy had grown so much that he could not place him.
"I suppose you are one of my old pupils," he said, "but I shall have to ask your name."
"Don't you remember Andy Grant?"
"Bless my soul! is it possible? Why, you have grown much taller and larger."
"Yes, sir; I don't want to stand still."
"And what are you doing now?"
"I am in business in this city."
"That is well, but it is a great pity you could not have remained at school."
"I thought so myself at the time I left, but I'm quite reconciled to the change now."
"Doubtless you are doing your duty, wherever you are. In what business are you engaged?"
"I am in a real estate office."
"I hope you are making fine wages?"
"I receive fifteen dollars a week."
"Bless my soul! Why, that is all I pay my head assistant. You must be giving great satisfaction. And how is your father?"
"He is pretty well, sir; but his loss of property has worn upon him."
"Naturally. Did I not understand that he had to mortgage his farm."
"Yes, sir."
"I hope there is no danger of foreclosure?"
"There might be, sir; but when the danger comes I shall be able to help him."
"I am not much of a capitalist, Andy. I understand Latin and Greek better than I do investments, but if a loan of a few hundred dollars will help him I shall be willing to let him have it."
"Thank you very much, Dr. Crabb, but my employer, Mr. Crawford, will give me all the help I need."
"I am truly pleased to hear it. I wish you were able to return to the academy. You were our primus, and I did not like to spare you. You might in time have succeeded me."
"I hope it will be a long time before you require a successor, doctor. I shall confine my ambitions to succeeding in my business."
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND
One afternoon Andy was busy writing in the office when he heard himself called by name, and, looking up, saw Walter Gale, who had just entered.
"Mr. Gale!" he exclaimed, joyfully, rising and grasping the hands of his friend.
"So you know me? Upon my word, you have grown so that I find it difficult to recognize you."
"Yes, I believe I have grown taller."
"And more manly. I need not ask if you are well. Your appearance answers that question."
"I was never better."
"And you enjoy your work?"
"Immensely. But when did you reach the city?"
"This morning. As you see, I have lost no time in looking you up."
"Shall you stay here now?"
"Yes," answered Gale, gravely; "my poor uncle is dead. His sickness was a painful one, and he is better off."
"I am glad you are to be in the city. I hope to see you often."
"You will, if I can have my way. I have hired a handsome and roomy flat on Madison Avenue, and I expect you to come and live with me."
"I shall be delighted to do so if you will let me pay my share of the expenses."
"You will pay me with your company. I will receive no other pay. My uncle has left me all his property—at least a hundred thousand dollars—and I was rich before."
"I will certainly accept your offer, since I am sure you will like to have me."
"You were teaching a boy, I believe?"
"Yes; but he is so well advanced now that he does not need my assistance. I am free to accept your kind offer."
"Call upon me this evening, and arrange to move to-morrow. I am very lonely, and want young and cheerful company."
When Andy called upon his friend in the evening he found him sumptuously lodged. The next evening he moved in.
"What news from Arden, Andy?" asked Mr. Gale.
"Nothing much, except that Squire Carter is expecting to foreclose the mortgage on father's farm next week."
"Is that so? We must not permit that."
"No; I have a thousand dollars in bank, and I shall ask Mr. Crawford to-morrow if he will advance me two thousand on some lots I own in Tacoma."
"That will not be necessary. I will myself advance the full amount, and you can pay me whenever you sell your lots."
"That is very kind, Mr. Gale, and relieves me very much."
"Don't overestimate the kindness. I have more money than I know what to do with."
"There are others in the same position who would not help me."
"I am your friend. That makes the difference. When you go to Arden I will go, too. It will be pleasant for me to see the place where I passed so enjoyable a summer and made so good a friend."
"I shall be delighted to have your company, Mr. Gale."
Two evenings later, as Andy was walking up Broadway toward his new home, he saw a familiar figure in front of him—the figure of a boy about his own age. Evidently the boy had been drinking, and could not walk straight.
Once, as he turned half around, Andy, with a start, recognized John Crandall, who had treated him so meanly at Mr. Flint's. He had no reason to like him, but his compassion was aroused.
"John," said Andy, linking his arm in his, "how do you happen to be in this condition?"
"Who are you?" hiccoughed John.
"I am Andy Grant. Don't you know me?"
"Yes, you used to be at Mr. Flint's. Where are you taking me?" he asked, suspiciously.
"To my room. I will take care of you to-night. What are you doing now?"
"I was in a place on Wall Street, but I got bounced yesterday. I took the money they paid me and got drunk."
"That was foolish. Where is your uncle?"
"He has gone to Chicago. I'm awful unlucky, Andy."
"If you will turn over a new leaf and stop drinking I'll see if I can't get you another place."
"Will you?" asked John, hopefully. "Don't you hate me?"
"No."
"I should think you would. I got you out of Flint's."
"You did me a service without intending it."
"You're a good fellow," hiccoughed John. "I'm sorry I treated you so mean."
"I'm not, since it led to my securing my present place. But we must turn down here."
"Where do you live?"
"On Madison Avenue."
"Madison Avenue? You must be a swell."
Andy smiled.
"If you work hard you may become a swell, too."
When they entered the flat, John stared about him in amazement.
"How can you afford to live in such a fine place?" he said.
"Because a friend bears the greater part of the expense. Now, let me help you undress. We have a spare room, and I will let you occupy it. In the morning I will wake you up for breakfast."
John Crandall was soon fast asleep. A few minutes later Mr. Gale came in.
"We have a visitor to-night," said Andy.
"A friend of yours?"
"He may become so, but thus far he has been anything but that."
Andy told the story of John's attempt to injure him.
"And yet you befriend him?"
"Yes. Wouldn't you?"
Walter Gale smiled.
"Tell me your reasons," he said.
"I have no grudge against him. Besides, if we only benefit those whom we like, there isn't much credit in that."
"Exactly. There isn't much credit in my doing you favors."
"Don't think I am ungrateful, Mr. Gale; I appreciate all you have done for me."
"I understand you, Andy, and I like you better for what you have done.
What further plans have you?"
"I should like to get John a place, and give him a chance to redeem himself. He needs a friend badly."
"He shall have one. We will both help him."
When John Crandall awoke the next morning he was himself again. The effects of his intoxication had passed off, and he seemed ashamed of the predicament in which Andy had found him.
"Have you any home, John?" asked Andy.
"No; that is, I have a room, but I spent all the money that was coming to me, and they won't let me stay. I don't know what I shall do," he said, despondently.
"If Mr. Gale and I will find you a new place, will you try to keep it?"
"Yes, I will."
"Then we will stand by you. You can stay here till I come from the office this afternoon, and I will find you a boarding place."
"You are a good fellow, Andy. You are my very best friend."
"I will try to be."
"And I will try to deserve your kindness."
Before the week was out John had a new place on Pearl Street, and was an inmate of the boarding house in Clinton Place, where Andy stayed when he first came to the city.
He really turned over a new leaf, and became a favorite and trusted employee in the Pearl Street store. Andy had saved him.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
SAD FOREBODINGS
The day which had been so eagerly awaited by Squire Carter dawned at last. The mortgage on Sterling Grant's farm was due, and he intended to foreclose. There was a gentleman from the city who had taken a fancy to the farm and had offered him eight thousand dollars for it. The squire hoped to obtain it by foreclosure at less than five thousand. This would be taking advantage of the farmer; but, as the squire said to himself, complacently, "Business is business!" These words are used as an excuse for a great many mean acts.
At supper time, the evening before, Sterling Grant looked sad and troubled.
"Wife," he said, "I am afraid we shall have to bid good-by to the old farm to-morrow."
"Do you really think the squire will foreclose, Sterling?"
"I know he will. I called on him to-day, and begged and pleaded with him to extend the mortgage another year, but it was all in vain."
"I don't see how people can be so hard-hearted," said Mrs. Grant, indignantly.
"It's the squire's nature. He says that business is business."
"I thought perhaps Andy might do something. He has five hundred dollars, and maybe a little more."
"It would do no good, wife. I hinted that I might be able to pay a part of the mortgage, but the squire wouldn't hear of it. He said the whole or none."
"I am sure Andy would help us if he could."
"I know that, but the mortgage is for three thousand dollars. It is quite beyond his ability to lift."
"I am afraid you are right, Sterling," said his wife, with a sigh. "I thought perhaps Andy would be here by this time."
"It would do no good to come unless he brought the money with him."
"He may come yet by the seven o'clock train."
"We had better not count on that, or we shall only be the more disappointed."
"What shall you do, Sterling, if the squire takes the farm?"
"There will be some money left, but I am afraid not much."
"Isn't the place worth six thousand dollars?"
"Yes but it won't fetch that at a forced sale. The squire told me this afternoon that it wasn't worth more than fifteen hundred dollars over and above the face of the mortgage."
"It would be wicked to sell for that."
"We must be content with what we can get."
After supper the farmer took his hat, and walked slowly and soberly about the farm. He felt that it was his farewell. Till now it had been his. To-morrow it would pass from his possession.
"It is hard," he sighed, "but it can't be helped. At any rate, we won't starve."
There was a small house, with half an acre of land attached on the outskirts of the village, which he could get at a moderate rental. He had inquired about it, and had made up his mind to secure it.
"But it is humble," objected his wife.
"We must not be proud, wife," he said. We can make it look homelike with our furniture in it."
"But what will you do for an income, Sterling?"
"I can work out by the day. Perhaps the man who buys our farm—I hear the squire has got a purchaser for it—will employ me."
"To work out by the day at your age, Sterling!" said his wife, indignantly.
"It will be hard, but if it is necessary I can do it."
"But I want to help, Sterling. I can get sewing to do."
"No, no; I won't consent to that."
"Then I won't consent to your working by the day."
"Well, we won't discuss it to-night. We will let the future take care of itself."
Just then the noise of wheels was heard, and a buggy stopped at the door.
"I do believe it's Andy!" exclaimed Mrs. Grant, joyfully.
It was Andy. A minute later, he was in the house.
"I am late," he said. "I lost the regular train, and had to get off at Stacy, six miles away; but I got a man from the stable to bring me over."
"I am glad to see you, Andy," said his mother.
"And so am I," added Sterling Grant, "though it is a sad time."
"Why a sad time, father?"
"The squire will foreclose to-morrow."
"No, he won't foreclose, father. I will stop it."
"But how can you prevent it, my son?"
"By paying the three thousand dollars, father."
"Have you got the money?" asked his father, incredulously.
"Yes."
"But how—?"
"Don't ask me any questions, father. Be satisfied with the knowledge that I have got it."
"Heaven be praised!" said the farmer, fervently.
"I don't think Squire Carter will say that."
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CONCLUSION
A little before twelve o'clock on the following day, Squire Carter rang the bell at the farmhouse door. He was dressed with scrupulous neatness, and there was a smile of triumphant anticipation on his face.
Andy answered the bell.
"Walk in, squire," he said.
"Ha! So you are home, Andy?"
"Yes, sir."
"Ahem! Your father has been unfortunate."
"Then you intend to foreclose?"
"Yes; I need the money and must have it."
"Isn't that rather hard on an old neighbor?"
"You are a boy, Andy, and don't understand. Business is business."
"Well, come in."
Mr. and Mrs. Grant were sitting by the fireplace. They looked calm, not sorrowful, as the squire anticipated.
"Ahem! My friends, I am sorry for you!" said the squire, in a perfunctory way. "Life is full of disappointments, as we read in the Scriptures."
"What do you propose to do with the farm, squire?" asked the farmer, calmly.
"I may sell it, if I can find a purchaser. I haven't thought much about it."
"That is right, squire. It isn't well to count your chickens before they are hatched."
It was Andy who spoke.
"Andrew, you are very flippant," said the squire, displeased. "I apprehend that there is very little doubt as to my having the farm to sell."
"What do you suppose is going to become of my father?"
"That is not for me to say. If I run the farm I may hire him to work on it."
"He has made up his mind to work on it."
"With or without my permission?" said the squire, with a sneer.
"Exactly so."
"I don't understand you," said the squire, with dignified displeasure.
"I presume not, but you will understand better when I say that he stands prepared to pay off the mortgage, and the farm will remain his."
"Impossible!" ejaculated the squire, turning pale.
"Quite possible, sir. Have you the mortgage with you?"
"Yes."
"Here is a release which you will please sign. Father, you had better pay the squire at once."
Mr. Grant took out a big wallet, and counted out thirty one-hundred-dollar bills.
"I believe that is correct, squire," he said.
"No, it isn't. You haven't paid the interest," snarled the squire.
"Here is another hundred dollars—that will cover it."
Ten minutes later Squire Carter left the farmhouse with a heavy frown upon his face. He was bitterly disappointed, and the money did not console him.
This was not the last of his disappointments. His brother's widow in New York sued him for an accounting of his father's estate, and he was obliged, not long afterward, to pay her five thousand dollars. This put the widow and her son in a comfortable position, but seriously embarrassed the squire, who had lost money by ill-advised speculation.
Two years later he had to sell his fine place and take a much humbler one half a mile from the village. Conrad was obliged to seek a place, and is bitterly humiliated because he receives but four dollars a week, while the boy he used to look down upon is prosperous and successful.
Andy has sold out his property in Tacoma to such advantage that he counts himself worth twenty thousand dollars. He continues to live in handsome style with his friend, Walter Gale, and is to be taken into partnership in the real estate office by Mr. Crawford when he attains the age of twenty-one.
Of the less important characters in our story it may be said that Byron Warden has had a story published in the nickel library, and is very proud of this measure of success. He continues to write poems for the Century and other prominent magazines. They always come back to him "respectfully declined," but he cherishes the hope that some day he will receive a more favorable answer.
Valentine Burns holds a place in Mr. Crawford's office and is giving excellent satisfaction. Simon Rich, formerly head clerk for Mr. Flint, has proved a defaulter, and is a fugitive in Canada. Sam Perkins still dazzles the world with his showy neckties, but thus far has only risen to ten dollars a week.
Mr. Grant and his wife are happy in Andy's success, and there is no danger of the farm passing from their possession. Quite unexpectedly the farmer has received a check from Nathan Lawrence, the defaulting cashier of the Benton bank, for a thousand dollars, with assurance that in time the entire three thousand dollars will be paid up.
"After all father," writes Andy, "it was lucky for me that I had to leave school. It was the beginning of my present prosperity."
