devoted in play was foolishly spent, inasmuch as it brought him
in no pecuniary return. He was willfully blind to the faults and
defects of his system, and their utter failure in the case of his
own son, and would, if could, have all the boys in town brought up
after severely practical method. But, fortunately for Harry, Mr.
Walton had very different notions. He was compelled to keep his son
home the greater part of the summer, but it was against his desire.

"No wonder he's a poor man," thought the squire, after his visitor
returned home. "He ain't got no practical idees. Live and learn!
that's all nonsense. His boy looks strong and able to work, and
it's foolish sendin' him school any longer. That wa'n't my way,
and see where I am," he concluded, with complacent remembrance of
bonds and mortgages and money out at interest. "That was a pooty
good cow trade," he concluded. "I didn't calc' late for to get more'n
thirty-five dollars for the critter; but then neighbor Walton had
to have a cow, and had to pay my price."

Now for Hiram Walton's reflections.

"I'm a poor man," he said to himself, as he walked slowly homeward,
"but I wouldn't be as mean as Tom Green for all the money he's
worth. He's made a hard bargain with me, but there was no help for
it."





CHAPTER IV