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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » The Young Miner or Tom Nelson in California » CHAPTER XXVI. SQUIRE HUDSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
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CHAPTER XXVI. SQUIRE HUDSON'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
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 If Whiteface was missed at her old home, she was scarcely less appreciated by her new possessor. On the very morning succeeding the day when Tom's remittance1 was received the squire2 remarked to his head workman, "Whiteface is an excellent cow, Abner."
 
"Yes, squire, I calculate she's the best you've got."
 
"I don't know but she is, Abner," said the squire, complacently3. "I consider her worth at least fifty dollars."
 
"So she is, every cent of it."
 
"And she cost me only thirty," thought Squire Hudson, with a smile of content.
 
He was a rich man, and abundantly able to pay his poor neighbor the full value of the cow; but somehow it never occurred to him to do it. He[Pg 241] was not above taking an unfair advantage of a man who was unluckily in his power. Of course the squire knew that Farmer Nelson had a right to redeem4 the cow at the price agreed upon with interest; but he felt pretty safe on this point. The farmer was not very likely to have thirty dollars to spare, and as for a remittance from Tom the squire was pretty sure none would be received.
 
"It'll be all the boy can do to take care of himself out there," he reflected, "let alone sending money home. He may send ten dollars or so some time; but it's very doubtful, very doubtful!"
 
Squire Hudson turned to go back to the house when he saw the man of whom he had been thinking coming up the road. He stopped short, thinking the farmer might wish to speak to him.
 
"Good-morning, Mr. Nelson," he said, pleasantly, for he was in good-humor.
 
"Good-morning, squire."
 
"Your Whiteface has got to feel quite at home in my barn-yard."
 
"She is a good cow, Squire Hudson."[Pg 242]
 
"Yes, tolerable, tolerable."
 
"She is worth more than the thirty dollars for which you took her."
 
"Well, I don't know about that. Cows are pretty cheap nowadays."
 
"I see how it is," thought the squire. "Nelson wants me to allow him more for the cow; but a bargain is a bargain, and I shan't do it."
 
"I always valued her at a considerably5 higher price."
 
"No doubt, no doubt. You raised her yourself, didn't you?"
 
"Yes."
 
"That makes a difference, of course. You attach a sentimental6 value to her; but that doesn't affect her real value. I really can't allow you any more for her."
 
"I don't want you to, Squire Hudson."
 
The squire looked astonished.
 
"What is the man driving at?" he thought.
 
"She may not be worth any more to you, and so you won't mind my taking her back."
 
"Taking her back!" ejaculated the squire.[Pg 243]
 
"Certainly; it was agreed that I could redeem her at any time, by paying you the thirty dollars and interest."
 
"Not after two months," said the squire, hastily.
 
"It is not two months. It was only six weeks yesterday. The fact is, squire, I've come for Whiteface, and I've got the money for you."
 
"Have you heard from Tom?" asked the squire, with a blank look of disappointment.
 
"Yes; I heard from him yesterday."
 
"And he sent you some money?"
 
"Yes; he reports that he is doing well."
 
"Did he send you thirty dollars?"
 
"Rather more than that," said Mark Nelson, not caring to gratify the curiosity of his creditor7.
 
"I think you had better keep your money, and leave Whiteface with me," said Squire Hudson, after a pause.
 
"I would rather not, squire. The fact is, Whiteface is a sort of pet at home, and we all want her back."
 
Squire Hudson was disconcerted. He had not expected that Mr. Nelson would be able to redeem[Pg 244] the cow, and he was reluctant to give her up. But there was no excuse for retaining her. His agreement stood in the way.
 
"Neighbor Nelson," he said, after a pause, "I don't mind giving you five dollars over and above what you owe me for Whiteface. Come, that's a good offer."
 
Mark Nelson shook his head.
 
"She's worth more than that," he said. "But that's neither here nor there. I raised the animal, and it was sorely against my will that I parted with her six weeks ago. Now that I have the money to pay you I want her back."
 
"I think you are standing8 in your own light, Mr. Nelson," said the squire. "I have taken a fancy to the cow, and am willing to pay more for her than she is worth. I will say ten dollars."
 
Mark Nelson shook his head.
 
"I'd rather have Whiteface than the money," he said.
 
"If she comes into my possession again," said Squire Hudson, "I shall not be willing to grant you the privilege of redeeming9 her. It won't be[Pg 245] many months before another payment becomes due."
 
"I hope to be ready to meet it, squire," said the farmer, not appearing at all anxious.
 
"He seems very independent," thought the squire, watching, moodily10, the cow driven away by her former owner. "He may sing another tune11 on interest day. I wonder how much the boy sent home."
 
Had he known that Mr. Nelson had in his pocket enough money to pay the whole of the next accruing12 interest, he would have felt more doubtful about recovering the cow which he now coveted13 more than ever.
 
"Well, Abner, I've lost her," said the squire, hurrying to his assistant; "but she'll be back here some day, mark my words!"
 
"I thought you bought her, squire," said Abner, in surprise.
 
"Well, not exactly. I took her for a debt; but Nelson had the right of redeeming her, and he has done it. His boy sent him the money."
 
"That Tom Nelson is a smart boy," said Abner,[Pg 246] who, though in the squire's employ, was friendly to our hero.
 
"Well, so-so," remarked the squire, indifferently. "I helped him to go to California; but I am not sure whether it was a wise step. I let my feelings get the better of my judgment14."
 
"Then it is the first time," was Abner's unspoken comment.
 
"It may turn out for the best," he said aloud.
 
"I doubt if I shall ever see my money again," said the squire; but he did not seem to take it to heart, judging from his manner and tone.
 
"Didn't you have security for the loan?" asked Abner.
 
"Well, ye-es," answered the squire, slowly; "but not very good. The farm was already mortgaged for its full value."
 
"The squire is getting benevolent," thought Abner, "or he wants me to think so; but I'm inclined to think he has some object under it all. What is it?"
 
A few weeks later Farmer Nelson's heart was gladdened by the receipt of another remittance[Pg 247] this time sent by John Miles, out of the profit of the business in which Tom was his partner. The amount this time was seventy-five dollars. It made him feel quite rich.
 
"Mary," he said, "we all need some new clothes, and I propose to use this money for that purpose. Now I want you to consider how we can spend it to the best advantage. To begin with, you must buy a new dress. You have long needed one."
 
Mrs. Nelson demurred15 a little, but was forced to admit that the dress was needed. So the purchases were made at once. It is wonderful how far seventy-five dollars will go in an economical family of plain tastes. It was soon apparent to the neighbors that the Nelsons were exhibiting signs of prosperity.
 
"It must be Tom," they decided16.
 
Efforts were made to ascertain17 just how much our hero had sent home; but on this point the Nelsons would not speak definitely. They reported in general terms that Tom was doing well.
 
Of course Squire Hudson was not ignorant of[Pg 248] the apparent improvement in the fortunes of his debtor18. Strange to say, he seemed rather annoyed. He was pleased, however, by the outlay19 for dress.
 
"They're getting extravagant20, Abner," he said, cheerfully. "I thought Mark Nelson was a man of more sense. Because his son has sent home a little money, he must rig out the whole family in new clothes. 'A fool and his money are soon parted.'"
 
"Mark Nelson is no fool," said Abner, stoutly21.
 
"He is in this instance," said the squire, sharply. "However, I don't object to it, if he likes to violate the rules of prudence22. It strikes me, however, that it would be well for him to pay up the money I advanced for Tom's expenses, before buying new clothes wholesale23."
 
Abner repeated this to Mr. Nelson.
 
The farmer answered quietly, "The squire is not wholly wrong. It is good doctrine24 to pay your debts before you spend money for what you don't need. In this case, however, we did need the clothes we bought. Now that we are provided, I hope, before very long, if Tom is prospered,[Pg 249] to pay back the two hundred dollars the squire advanced for him."
 
"I hope you will, I'm sure," said Abner. "That's a smart boy of yours, and I always said so."
 
"He is a good boy, and I am sure he will do what is right."
 
"He's a blamed sight better than the squire's boy. Sinclair is a stuck-up jackanapes, and it would do me good to kick him."
 
"It might not do him any good."
 
"I am not sure about that; I think he needs it."
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 remittance zVzx1     
n.汇款,寄款,汇兑
参考例句:
  • Your last month's salary will be paid by remittance.最后一个月的薪水将通过汇寄的方式付给你。
  • A prompt remittance would be appreciated.速寄汇款不胜感激。
2 squire 0htzjV     
n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅
参考例句:
  • I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
  • The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。
3 complacently complacently     
adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地
参考例句:
  • He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
  • "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装,"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
4 redeem zCbyH     
v.买回,赎回,挽回,恢复,履行(诺言等)
参考例句:
  • He had no way to redeem his furniture out of pawn.他无法赎回典当的家具。
  • The eyes redeem the face from ugliness.这双眼睛弥补了他其貌不扬之缺陷。
5 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
6 sentimental dDuzS     
adj.多愁善感的,感伤的
参考例句:
  • She's a sentimental woman who believes marriage comes by destiny.她是多愁善感的人,她相信姻缘命中注定。
  • We were deeply touched by the sentimental movie.我们深深被那感伤的电影所感动。
7 creditor tOkzI     
n.债仅人,债主,贷方
参考例句:
  • The boss assigned his car to his creditor.那工头把自己的小汽车让与了债权人。
  • I had to run away from my creditor whom I made a usurious loan.我借了高利贷不得不四处躲债。
8 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
9 redeeming bdb8226fe4b0eb3a1193031327061e52     
补偿的,弥补的
参考例句:
  • I found him thoroughly unpleasant, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. 我觉得他一点也不讨人喜欢,没有任何可取之处。
  • The sole redeeming feature of this job is the salary. 这份工作唯其薪水尚可弥补一切之不足。
10 moodily 830ff6e3db19016ccfc088bb2ad40745     
adv.喜怒无常地;情绪多变地;心情不稳地;易生气地
参考例句:
  • Pork slipped from the room as she remained staring moodily into the distance. 阿宝从房间里溜了出来,留她独个人站在那里瞪着眼睛忧郁地望着远处。 来自辞典例句
  • He climbed moodily into the cab, relieved and distressed. 他忧郁地上了马车,既松了一口气,又忧心忡忡。 来自互联网
11 tune NmnwW     
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整
参考例句:
  • He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子,并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
  • The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
12 accruing 3047ff5f2adfcc90573a586d0407ec0d     
v.增加( accrue的现在分词 );(通过自然增长)产生;获得;(使钱款、债务)积累
参考例句:
  • economic benefits accruing to the country from tourism 旅游业为该国带来的经济效益
  • The accruing on a security since the previous coupon date. 指证券自上次付息日以来所累积的利息。 来自互联网
13 coveted 3debb66491eb049112465dc3389cfdca     
adj.令人垂涎的;垂涎的,梦寐以求的v.贪求,觊觎(covet的过去分词);垂涎;贪图
参考例句:
  • He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician. 他一直渴望有机会与著名音乐家一起工作。
  • Ther other boys coveted his new bat. 其他的男孩都想得到他的新球棒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
15 demurred demurred     
v.表示异议,反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • At first she demurred, but then finally agreed. 她开始表示反对,但最终还是同意了。
  • They demurred at working on Sundays. 他们反对星期日工作。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
16 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
17 ascertain WNVyN     
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清
参考例句:
  • It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
  • We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。
18 debtor bxfxy     
n.借方,债务人
参考例句:
  • He crowded the debtor for payment.他催逼负债人还债。
  • The court granted me a lien on my debtor's property.法庭授予我对我债务人财产的留置权。
19 outlay amlz8A     
n.费用,经费,支出;v.花费
参考例句:
  • There was very little outlay on new machinery.添置新机器的开支微乎其微。
  • The outlay seems to bear no relation to the object aimed at.这费用似乎和预期目的完全不相称。
20 extravagant M7zya     
adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的
参考例句:
  • They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。
  • He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。
21 stoutly Xhpz3l     
adv.牢固地,粗壮的
参考例句:
  • He stoutly denied his guilt.他断然否认自己有罪。
  • Burgess was taxed with this and stoutly denied it.伯杰斯为此受到了责难,但是他自己坚决否认有这回事。
22 prudence 9isyI     
n.谨慎,精明,节俭
参考例句:
  • A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.不够谨慎可能会导致财政上出现问题。
  • The happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.幸运者都把他们的成功归因于谨慎或功德。
23 wholesale Ig9wL     
n.批发;adv.以批发方式;vt.批发,成批出售
参考例句:
  • The retail dealer buys at wholesale and sells at retail.零售商批发购进货物,以零售价卖出。
  • Such shoes usually wholesale for much less.这种鞋批发出售通常要便宜得多。
24 doctrine Pkszt     
n.教义;主义;学说
参考例句:
  • He was impelled to proclaim his doctrine.他不得不宣扬他的教义。
  • The council met to consider changes to doctrine.宗教议会开会考虑更改教义。


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