“That gives me an idea, mother.  It would cost Uncle Godfrey as much as nine hundred dollars a year over and above all the help I could get from the college funds, and perhaps from teaching school this winter.  Now, if he would allow me that sum for a single year and let me go to work, I could pay up all father’s debts, and give him a new start.  It would save Uncle Godfrey nine hundred dollars.”

“He has set his heart on your going to college.  I don’t think he would agree to help you at all if you disappoint him.”

“At any rate, I could try the experiment.  Something has got to be done, mother.”

“Yes, Grant, there is no doubt of that.  Mr. Tudor is evidently in earnest.  If we don’t pay him, I think it very likely he will refuse to let us have anything more on credit.  And you know there is no other grocery store in the village.”

“Have you any money to pay him on account, mother?”

“I have eight dollars.”

“Let me have that, and go over and see what I can do with him.  We can’t get along without groceries.  By the way, mother, doesn’t the parish owe father anything?”

“They are about sixty dollars in arrears on the salary.”

“And the treasurer is Deacon Gridley?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll tell you what I will do.  I’ll first go over to the deacon’s and try to collect something.  Afterward I will call on Mr. Tudor.”

“It is your father’s place to do it, but he has no business faculty, and could not accomplish anything.  Go, then, Grant, but remember one thing.”

“What is that, mother?”

“You have a quick temper, my son.  Don’t allow yourself to speak hastily, or disrespectfully, even if you are disappointed.  Mr. Tudor’s bill is a just one, and he ought to have his money.”

“I’ll do the best I can, mother.”

CHAPTER II

GRANT MAKES TWO BUSINESS CALLS

Deacon Gridley had a small farm, and farming was his chief occupation, but he had a few thousand dollars laid away in stocks and bonds, and, being a thrifty man, not to say mean, he managed to save up nearly all the interest, which he added to his original accumulation.  He always coveted financial trusts, and so it came about that he was parish treasurer.  It was often convenient for him to keep in his hands, for a month at a time, money thus collected which ought to have been paid over at once to the minister, but the deacon was a thoroughly selfish man, and cared little how pressed for money Mr. Thornton might be, as long as he himself derived some benefit from holding on to the parish funds.

The deacon was mowing the front yard of his house when Grant came up to his front gate.

“Good-morning, Deacon Gridley,” said the minister’s son.

“Mornin’, Grant,” answered the deacon.  “How’s your folks?”

“Pretty well in health,” returned Grant, coming to business at once, “but rather short of money.”