96 That John Mason, [February, 



secured, and within six montlis I "will Ibe able to do what I had hoped 

 to do at this time.' 



'I am sorry, Mr. Jones,' he returned, *but I have made my calcula- 

 tions to receive the sum due at this time, and can not do without it.' 



* But I haven't the money, Mr. Laxton, and have fully explained to 

 you the reason why.' 



* That is your affair, not mine, Mr. Jones. If you have been disap- 

 pointed at one point, it is your business to look to another. A contract 

 is a contract.' 



* Will you not extend the time of this payment ? ' said I. 

 ' No sir. I can not,' 



' What will you do ? ' 



* Do ? You ask a strange question ! ' 



* Well, what will you do ? ' 



* Why, raise the money on the property.' 



* How will you do that ? ' 



* Sell it, of course.' 



I asked no farther questions, but left him and went away. Before 

 reaching home, to which place I was retiring in order to think over the 

 j^osition in which I was placed, and determine what steps to take, if any 

 were left to me, I met the pleasant acquaintance I had met at the town- 

 meeting. 



' You look grave, Mr. Jones,' said he, as we paused, facing each other. 

 ' What's the matter ? ' 



I frankly told him my difficulty. 



* So, Laxton has got you in his clutches, has he ? ' was the simple, yet 

 I perceived meaning reply that he made. 



* I am in his clutches, certainly,' said I. 



* And will not get out of them, very easily, I apprehend.' 



* What will he do ? ' 



* He will sell the property at auction.' 



' It won't bring his claim, under the hammer.' 



* No, I suppose not, for that is really more than the property is worth.' 

 ' Do you think so ? ' 



' Certainly I do. I know the value of every lot of ground in the 

 township, and know that you have been taken in, in your purchase.' 

 ' What do you suppose it will bring at a forced sale ? ' 



* Few men will bid over twenty-five hundred dollars.' 



* Y^ou can not be serious.' 



* I assure you I am. He, however, will overbid all, to four thousand. 

 He will probably have it knocked down to him at three thousand, and 



