The Young Musician | Page 9

one watch already."
"I am glad he's got it. I couldn't bear to think of Nick Holden carrying
my father's watch. He was disappointed about one thing besides."
"What was that?"
"The violin. He went to Squire Pope, and complained that it was not in
the sale."
"That's just like his impudence. What did the squire say?"
"He came to me and ordered me to get it, so that it might be sold."
"Shall I get it for you, then?"

"Not much!" answered Philip emphatically. "It is mine, as I have
already told you. If the auction doesn't bring in enough to settle up
everything, I may agree to sell it for a fair price; but I am sure, from the
prices, that it won't be necessary."
"Squire Pope's a dreadful obstinate man," said Frank doubtfully. "He
may insist upon your selling the violin."
"Let him do it!" said Philip contemptuously. "I should like to see him
get it. Where have you put it, Frank?"
"Where Squire Pope won't be apt to find it--in an old chest up in the
garret. It's full of old clothes, belonging to my grandfather, and hasn't
been looked into by any one except me for years. I put it away under all
the clothes at the bottom. No one knows where it is except you and me,
not even mother."
"That's good. I guess we can defy the squire, then."
Half an hour later, Mr. Dunbar came home from the auction.
Philip went to meet him.
"Thank you for buying father's watch," he said. "But for you, Nick
Holden would have had it, and I should have been sorry for it."
"He was badly disappointed," said Mr. Dunbar smiling. "But I didn't
buy the watch for myself, Philip."
"For whom, then?" asked Philip, in some surprise.
"For the one that has the best right to it--for you," and the farmer took
the watch from his pocket, and handed it to Philip.
"But I haven't the money to pay for it, Mr. Dunbar," said our hero.
"Then I give it to you as a present," said Mr. Dunbar.
"I am very grateful," said Philip; "but I ought not to accept it. You are
too kind to me."
"Let me be the judge of that."
"Besides, it wouldn't be safe for me to take it. Squire Pope will try to
get my violin away from me in order to sell it, and he would be sure to
try to do the same by the watch if he found that I had it."
"But, Philip, I don't need the watch myself."
"Then, Mr. Dunbar, will you be kind enough to keep it for me, and
when I can afford to pay for it, and there is no danger of its being taken
from me, I will ask you for it. I shall be very glad, indeed, when I am
older, to carry my father's watch, for I have seen it in his hands so often
that it will constantly remind me of him."

"Perhaps that will be the best arrangement," said Mr. Dunbar. "You
might have it stolen from you, if you carried it yourself just at present.
As you request, I will keep it, subject to your order; but I would rather
let it be a gift from me, and not require you to pay for it."
"We won't talk about that now," said Philip, smiling. "At any rate, you
must let me thank you for your great kindness to me."
"Don't speak of that, Phil," said the farmer kindly. "I had a great respect
and liking for your father, and I verily believe my Frank loves you as
well as if you were his own brother. So, come what may, you have a
friend in our family."
"I indorse all that father says," Frank said.
And he extended his hand to Philip, who grasped it heartily.
It warmed his heart to think that he had such good friends, though he
was an orphan and alone in the world.
After supper, Mr. Dunbar went to the village store, while Frank and
Philip remained at home.
Suddenly Frank said:
"Philip, you are going to have a visitor, I guess."
"A visitor!"
"Yes; I saw Squire Pope stumping along the road, nourishing his
gold-headed cane. He is headed this way, and it's likely he is going to
honor you with a call. He's got somebody with him, too. Who is it!"
Philip shaded his eyes with his hand, for the Sun was near its setting,
and shining with dazzling brightness from the quarter toward which he
was looking.
"It's Nick Holden!" he said.
"So it is! What can he want?"
"I understand very well. He wants my violin. He couldn't get it at the
sale, so he has come here