CHAPTER IV.
TOM ASKS LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Tom walked home slowly, but the distance seemed short, for he wasabsorbed in thought. In a way very unexpected he seemed to be likely torealize what he had regarded as a very pleasant, but impossible, dream.Would his father consent to the squire's proposal, and, if so, ought Tomto consent to expose him to the risk of losing so considerable a sum ofmoney? If he had been older and more cautious he would probably havedecided in the negative; but Tom was hopeful and sanguine, and thestories he had heard of California had dazzled him. There was, ofcourse, an element of uncertainty in his calculations, but the factthat there seemed to be no prospect before him in his native village hadan important influence in shaping his decision.
To ask his father the momentous question, however, was not easy, and hedelayed it, hoping for a favorable opportunity of introducing thesubject. His thoughtful manner excited attention, and secured him theopportunity he sought.
"You seem deep in thought, Tom," said his mother.
"Yes, mother, I have a good deal to think about."
"Anybody would think Tom overwhelmed with business," said Walter, nextto Tom in age, with good-humored banter.
"I am," said Tom gravely.
"Won't you take me in partnership, then?" asked Walter.
Tom smiled.
"I don't think I could do that," he answered. "Not to keep you waiting,Squire Hudson has made me a business proposal this afternoon."
All were surprised and looked to Tom for an explanation.
"He offers to advance me two hundred dollars for a year, to help me outto California."
"Squire Hudson makes this offer to a boy of your age?" said his fatherslowly.
"Yes, or rather he makes the offer to you."
"To me?"
"Perhaps you will think me selfish for even mentioning it," said Tomrapidly, in a hurry to explain fully now that the ice was broken. "Hewill advance the money, on condition that you increase the mortgage onthe farm to twenty-two hundred dollars."
Mr. Nelson looked blank.
"Do you know, Tom," he said, "how hard I find it now to pay the intereston the mortgage, and how hopeless I am of ever paying it off?"
"I know all that, father; but I want to help you. If I keep my health,and have a chance, I think I can help you. There's no chance for mehere, and there is a chance in California. You remember what we haveread in the _Weekly Messenger_ about the gold-fields, and what largesums have been realized by miners."
"They are men, and you are a boy."
"That's true," said Tom, "but," he added, with natural pride, "I ampretty strong for a boy. I am willing to work, and I don't see why Ican't dig gold as well as a man. I may not make as much, but if I onlydo half as well as some that we have read about, I can do a good dealfor you."
"How far off is California?" asked Mrs. Nelson.
"Over three thousand miles, across the continent," answered her husband."By sea it is a good deal more."
"Why, it is as far off as Europe," said Walter, who was fresh from hislesson in geography.
"It is farther than some parts of Europe--England, for example," saidhis father.
"And a wild, unsettled region," said Mrs. Nelson soberly.
"I don't think so much of that," said Mark Nelson. "Tom is no baby. Heis a boy of good sense, not heedless, like some of his age, and I shouldfeel considerable confidence in his getting along well."
"What, Mark, are you in favor of his going so far--a boy who has neverbeen away from home in his life?"
"I don't know what to say. I have not had time to consider the matter,as it has come upon me suddenly. I have a good deal of confidence inTom, but there is one difficulty in my mind."
"What is that, father?" asked Tom anxiously.
"The expense of getting to California, and the method of raising themoney; I don't like to increase the mortgage."
"I suppose you are right, father," said Tom slowly. "I know it is morethan I have any right to ask. I wouldn't even have mentioned it if Ihadn't hoped to help you to pay it back."
"That is understood, Tom," said his father kindly. "I know you mean whatyou say, and that you would redeem your promise if fortune, or ratherProvidence, permitted. It is a serious matter, however, and not to bedecided in a hurry. We will speak of it again."
Nothing more was said about Tom's plan till after the children had goneto bed. Then, as Mark Nelson and his wife sat before the fire in theopen fireplace, the subject was taken up anew.
"Mary," said Mark, "I am beginning to think favorably of Tom'sproposal."
"How can you say so, Mark?" interrupted his wife. "It seems like madnessto send a young boy so far away."
"Tom can't be called a young boy; he is now sixteen."
"But he has never been away from home."
"He must go some time."
"If it were only to Boston or New York; but to go more than threethousand miles away!" and the mother shuddered.
"There are dangers as great in Boston or New York as in California,Mary, to a boy of Tom's age. He can't always be surrounded by homeinfluences."
"I wish we could find employment for him in town," said Mrs. Nelsonuneasily.
"That is a mother's thought, and it would be pleasant for all of us; butI doubt if it would be better for Tom."
"Why not?"
"A boy who is thrown upon his own guardianship and his own resourcesdevelops manliness and self-reliance sooner than at home. But we neednot take that into consideration; there is nothing to do here, nor isthere likely to be. He must go away from home to find employment. Toobtain a place in Boston or New York requires influence and friends inthose places; and we can hope for neither. In California he will becomehis own employer. The gold-mines are open to all, and he may earn in ayear as much as he could in five years in the East."
"Do you favor his going, then, Mark?"
"Not against your will, Mary. Indeed, I should not feel justified inincreasing the mortgage upon our little property against your wish. Thatconcerns us all."
"I don't think so much of that. I am so afraid Tom would get sick inCalifornia. What would become of the poor boy in that case?"
"That is a mother's thought. I think Tom would find friends, who wouldnot let him suffer. He is a manly, attractive boy, though he is ours,and I think he is well calculated to make his way."
"That he is," said his mother proudly. "No one can help liking Tom."
"Then you see he is likely to find friends. Were he such a boy asSinclair Hudson, I should feel afraid that he would fare badly, if hestood in need of help from others. Sinclair is certainly a verydisagreeable boy."
"Yes, he is; and he isn't half as smart as Tom."
"A mother's vanity," said Mark Nelson, smiling. "However, you are rightthere. I should consider it a misfortune to have such a cross-grained,selfish son as Sinclair. Squire Hudson, with all his wealth, is notfortunate in his only child. There is considerable resemblance betweenfather and son. I often wish that some one else than the squire held themortgage on our farm."
"You don't think he would take advantage of you?"
"I don't think he would be very lenient to me if I failed to payinterest promptly. He has a grudge against me, you know."
"That is nonsense," said Mrs. Nelson, blushing, for she understood theallusion.
"I am glad he doesn't ask me to give him a mortgage on you, Mary."
"He has forgotten all that," said Mrs. Nelson. "I am no longer young andpretty."
"I think you more attractive than ever," said the husband.
"Because you are foolish," said his wife; but she was well pleased,nevertheless. Poor as her husband was, she had never dreamed ofregretting her choice.
"Be it so; but about this affair of Tom--what shall I say to him in themorning?"
Mrs. Nelson recovered her gravity instantly.
"Decide as you think right, Mark," she said. "If you judge that Tom hadbetter go I will do my best to become reconciled t
o his absence, and setabout getting him ready."
"It is a great responsibility, Mary," said Mark slowly; "but I acceptit. Let the boy go, if he wishes. He will leave our care, but we cantrust him to the care of his heavenly Father, who will be as near to himin California as at home."
Thus Tom's future was decided. His father and mother retired to bed, butnot to sleep. They were parting already in imagination with theirfirst-born, and the thought of that parting was sad indeed.