More than that, he had borrowed money to carry it on, certain of success--borrowed of S.Behrman, offering his crop and his little home as security.

Once he failed to meet his obligations, S.Behrman would foreclose.

Not only would the Railroad devour every morsel of his profits, but also it would take from him his home; at a blow he would be left penniless and without a home.

What would then become of his mother--and what would become of the little tad?
She, whom he had been planning to educate like a veritable lady.

For all that year he had talked of his ambition for his little daughter to every one he met.