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."