32 TOM'’S EXPERIENCE 
“Tom's.” prosperity! That argument in Mr. Cook’s 
favor carried the day—although he didn’t know it: 
AND NOW THE MORTGAGE. 
Two days later he returned in company with Mr. . 
Grimsley, the capitalist. Mr. C. had the contracts. 
for the house, and Mr. G. the mortgage and notes 
all properly drawn. The lattter were judgment 
notes, and at first I refused to sign them on that ac- 
count. But Mr. Grimsley assured me that was 
‘nothing but a mere form” on which his partners 
always insisted, and so I signed them. There were 
three notes of $425 each—just the cost of the house, 
payable respectively in five, six, and seven months 
after date, with interest at ten per cent. 
I didn't sleep well that might. I dreamed that 
somehow I was fast under a very large house, which 
was resting on me with its whole weight, and on top 
of it were Mr. Cook and Mr. Grimsley holding it 
down, and grinning and laughing at my agony. Af- 
ter awhile I awoke in a cold sweat, and slept but lit- 
tle from that time till morning. 
Next day Mr. Cook came on with his workmen 
and lumber, and the house was commenced. This 
was the first week in March, and as'the weather was 
favorable. and Mr. Cook knew how to push things, 
the work made rapid progress, and in what seemed 
to me an incredibly short time the house was under 
roof. — 
