Go back to page 3 Return to page 1 Andy Grant part 4 The Bargain
"You need to raise three thousand dollars, Mr Grant" began the squire.
"Yes, squire."
"Three thousand dollars is a good deal of money."
"I realize that," said Mr. Grant, sadly.
Now this was the bargain that the squire wanted to make. He would lend Mr Grant the 3 thousand dollars for 2 years but he would ask Mr Grant to pledge the farm as security. If Mr Grant could not pay the money back at the end of 2 years then the squire would take his farm and he would now own it.
The squire said, "I was about to say, it is a good deal of money to raise on the security of the farm." He was really saying that the farm was not worth very much and he was pretending that he was not very keen to make the bargain.
Mr Grant took out a piece of paper which showed how much he had paid for the farm
"The farm cost me six thousand dollars," he said.
The squire still tried to say that the farm was not worth very much. "I would say that it is hardly worth five thousand now. If you tried to sell it quickly to get the money you need, I am sure you would not even get five thousand dollars."
"If I did not need the money quickly I certainly wouldn't think of selling it for less less than six thousand."
"Of course, you love your farm and that makes you think it is worth more than it really is."
"It is good land and I can grow grow good crops. This house and the other buildings on the farm are all in good condition."
"Well you want three thousand dollars, and I have agreed to let you have it. You will pay interest at six per cent." This meant that each year Mr Grant would have to pay six pounds on every hundred pounds he owed. Suppose he owed three thousand dollars. That is 30 times 100 dollars so he would pay 30 x6 = 180 dollars. And he would also have to pay back the loan.
"You will need to pay the loan back in two years," said the squire.
This meant that after 2 years, Squire Carter could take the farm and sell it.
"Two years?" repeated Farmer Grant, uneasily.
"Yes. I am not sure that I can spare the money longer than two years. I give you that time to pay it off."
"But it will be impossible for me to pay it off in two years. I make quite a bit of money from the things I grow on the farm but I am not rich. I can afford to pay the interest but there will not be enough money to pay back the three thousand dollars in 2 years."
"Of course that isn't my lookout."
"Do you mean that if I don't pay back the loan in two years you will take my farm?"
"Not necessarily. I may not need the money so soon."
The squire thought that Mr Grant would not be able to pay him back and he really wanted to own the farm himself.
"Besides, you may find some one else who wants to buy it and you could use some of the money to pay me back."
"Can't you say that you will lend me the money for five years, squire?" pleaded the farmer.
Squire Carter shook his head.
"No; I am offering to lend you the money for two years and that is all. If you do not want to accept that, just say so and I will go back home."
"All right squire; I accept your terms. I will borrow the money from you for 2 years."
"That is sensible. I can't understand why a five year loan would be better for you anyway."
"My son Andrew is sixteen. By the time he is twenty-one he might be able to make some money and help me."
"He's not likely to get the kind of job where he could make very much," said the squire. "O course he might marry someone who has a lot of money. I suppose you will keep him at home to help you on the farm?"
"We haven't talked the matter over yet. I will talk to him and ask him what he wants to do.
He can't earn much money on the farm."said Mr Grant. " What are you going to do with your son?"
"Conrad will probably be a merchant, or a banker," said the squire, pompously.
"With your money you can help him to get the job he wants."
"Yes indeed!" said the squire, looking pleased."
"Well, since we have agreed that I will lend you the money, I will go home now. If you will call at Lawyer Tower's office to-morrow he will give you a paper to sign and hand you the cheque for three thousand dollars."
"Thank you, squire. I will call there tomorrow."
"If you don't want Andrew to work on the farm I will turn over his case in my mind and see if I can get him a job."
"Thank you. I should be glad to have him find a job where he can get on and make a career."
