第8章 HARRY'S DECISION.

Mr. Walton paused before replying to his pro posal.

``You're a little too late,'' he said, at last, to Harry's great relief.

``Too late,'' repeated the squire, hastily. ``Why, you hain't hired out your boy to anybody else, have you?''

``No;

but he has asked me to let him leave home, and I've agreed to it.''

``Leave home? Where's he goin'?''

``He has not fully decided. He wants to go out and seek his fortune.''

``He'll fetch up at the poorhouse,'' growled the squire.

``If he does not succeed, he will come home again.''

``It's a foolish plan, neighbor Walton. Take my word for't. You'd better keep him here, and let him work for me.''

``If he stayed at home, I should find work for him on my farm.''

``I

wanted to help you pay for that cow,'' said the squire, crossly. ``If you can't pay for't when the time comes you mustn't blame me.''

``I

shall blame no one.''

``You mustn't ask for more time. Six months is a long time to give.''

``I believe I haven't said anything about more time yet,'' said Hiram Walton, stiffly. ``Idon't see that you need warn me.''

``I

thought we might as well have an understanding about it,'' said the squire.

``So you won't hire out the boy?''

``No, I

cannot, under the circumstances. If I did I should consider his services worth more than two dollars a month.''

``I

might give him two'n a half,'' said the squire, fancying it was merely a question of money.

``How much do you pay Abner Kimball?''

``Wal, rather more than that,'' answered the squire, slowly.

``You pay him ten dollars a month, don't you?''

``Wal, somewheres about that; but it's more'n he earns.''

``If he is worth ten dollars, Harry would be worth four or six.''

``I'll give three,'' said the squire, who reflected that even at that rate he would be saving considerable.

``I

will leave it to Harry himself,'' said his father.

``Harry, you hear Squire Green's offer. What do you say? Will you go to work for him at three dollars a month?''

``I'd rather go away, as you told me I might, father.''

``You hear the boy's decision, squire.''

``Wal, wal,'' said the squire; ``I hope you won't neither on yer regret it.''

His tone clearly indicated that he really hoped and expected they would. ``I bid you good-night.''

Harry breathed a deep sigh of relief after Squire Green left the room.

``I was afraid you were going to hire me out to the squire, father,'' he said.

``You didn't enjoy the prospect, did you?'' said his father, smiling.

``Not much.''

``The squire didn't seem to like it very well,'' said Mrs. Walton, looking up from her mending.

``No, he fully expected to get Harry for little or nothing. It was ridiculous to offer two dollars a month for a boy of his age.''

``I am afraid he will be more disposed to be hard on you when the time comes to pay for the cow. He told you he wouldn't extend the time.''

``He is not likely to after this; but, wife, we won't borrow trouble. Something may turn up to help us.''

``I am sure I shall be able to help you about it, father,'' said Harry.

``I

hope so, my son, but don't feel too certain. You may not succeed as well as you anticipate.''

``I

know that, but I mean to try at any rate.''