36 TOM’S EXPERIENCE 
I almost expected, to see his mouth fly open and a 
red. forked tongue dart out. And I was in this man’s 
power ! 7 
I stated my business, asking a renewal of the notes 
for a year, until I could raise another crop. He lis- 
tened attentively and then said he was sorry, but he 
needed the money and must have it. 
‘* But, Mr. Bragdon,if you buy in my farm that 
will not give you the money.” 
‘No, but I can raise a crop on it next year and 
get my money in that way, and probably more. I 
think you have about a hundred and fifty acres of 
‘‘old land” ready for crops, haven’t you ?” 
‘‘ About one hundred and forty on that tract,” I 
answered, ‘‘and with the chance to make another 
crop on that, and what I have broken on my tree 
claim, [ can pay you and have a handsome balance 
left.” 
“If you can do that,I can. Business is business, 
and there is only one way that I know of for you to 
save your farm, and that is to pay those notes.” 
I saw that I might as well talk to an iceberg. He 
was bound to have his pound of flesh. 
COUNTING UP RESOURCES. 
I left him and went home with a heavy heart. On 
the way I figured over, for probably the thousandth 
time, the resources on which I could draw to raise 
this $1,400. Before this judgment was taken against 
me, not being able to do the work myself, [ had made 
