"But, father, even if the boys don't divide the gold, Bennington's customers will pay him enough to enable him to settle the interest," suggested Ethan, whose hopes were somewhat inflated by the reasoning of his father.
"That may be; but Bennington owes everybody in town, and his expenses for keeping those New Yorkers in his house are enough to swamp him. I don't believe he'll think of the interest at all, he's so busy, till after it is too late. He owes Jones three hundred dollars of borrowed money, which Jones lent him till the first of July, when he is to pay the mortgage on his house. I've already told Jones I couldn't wait a single day for my money; and he will have to make Bennington pay. Then I have hinted to Green, the market-man, Butler, the grocer, and others Bennington owes, that they had better look out and get their pay before the first of July. They are after him now, and he promises to pay them all just as soon as these New York folks settle for their board. If Bennington ain't short on the first of July, I'll lose my guess," said the old man; and he believed that he had made things intensely hot for his creditor. "I can count up over a thousand dollars he has promised to pay by the first of July."
In justice to the landlord of the Sea Cliff House, it should be said that Squire Moses had overstated the facts, for Mr. Bennington had not promised to pay, but had merely expressed his hope and belief that he should be able to do so in the month of July. He actually owed, besides his interest, about seven hundred dollars; and his debts troubled him sorely. He could only hope that his creditors would wait a few weeks, though even now they harassed him every day of his life.
Squire Moses and Ethan entered the cottage of Joel's widow, and found the family at dinner. They did not knock at the door, or stand upon any ceremony.
"Stumpy, what's this story about the money found on the beach?" demanded Squire Moses, as though he felt that he had a right to know.
Now, half a dozen persons had already spoken to Stumpy about the hidden treasure, and he was aware the subject was no longer a secret.
"Leopold found a bag of gold buried on the beach," replied Stumpy; and without reserve, he proceeded to tell all he knew about the treasure.
"And you and he are going to divide this money between you!" exclaimed Squire Moses, jumping at once to the point, as soon as Stumpy had told the story.
"Who says we are?" asked Stumpy, indignantly.
"That is what they say," added Ethan, who had, possibly, heard such a suggestion, as the narrative became distorted in its passage along the main street.