Chapter 6: Selling Sparks

Harriet and Nels are in the den studying the books to see how the store is doing money wise and also to try to figure out what to do about Spark's situation.

Nels says, "You know Harriet we keep dragging our feet on Sparks. Nellie is just getting more and more attached. We need to break them apart somehow if we're going to sell him."

Harriet says, "I know. I bought him for her. Don't I have a say if we can keep him or not?"

Nels says, "NO! I mean it. The medical bills for him alone are eating us dry. The store isn't doing so good these days."

Harriet lowers her head she hated to admit defeat but agrees, "Yes dear I know...but..."

Nels cutting Harriet off in mid sentence says, "I'm sorry I wish he won but he didn't and with that lame leg there is nothing we can do. Dr. Baker has done everything he can."

Harriet swallows her pride and says, "I know, I guess we ought to face the facts".

Harriet gets up, hands Nels the papers from the store and asks, "Want me to tell Nellie?"

Willie cames in and mentions, "Morher we got people in the store front."

Harriet then says, "Willie can you do me a favor?"

Willie answers, "Sure, what mother?"

Harriet asks, "Can you go tell Nellie we might have to get rid of Sparks?"

Willie answers, "I can try but she might not listen. She's unhappy about the race."

Harriet says, "I know."

Willie says, "I'll go tell her the news."

Harriet says, "Thank you I'll go see to the customers."

Harriet does as Willie goes upstairs to Nellie's room. Willie knocks on the door. Nellie says, "Who is it come in."

Willie opens the door and Nellie asks her brother, "What do you want? I am studying."

Willie pushes the door open wider and says, "No your not. You're goofing off like normal. I got some bad news that you may not like."

He sits down on the edge of Nellie's bed than Nellie comes over and says "What is it? About Sparks?"

Willie shakes his head, "Yes!"

Nellie sighs and asks, "What now?"

Willie tells her, "Mother and Father are thinking of selling him. Since he failed at two races. He isn't worth keeping especially with a lame leg and medical bills."

Nellie says, "That isn't fair. I like that horse!"

Willie says, "No you don't your just as mad at him like everyone else. The only time you cared about him is when you thought he could race. You always abused him treating him like filth. If it wasn't for you Sparks won't have a bad leg you worked him too hard!"

Nellie says, "Not true! How dare you call me a bad person Willie."

Willie says, "Well it is true! Nellie I am tired of how you are and so is everyone else. All I ever hear about is what awards you win, blah blah blah."

Willie was kind of mad now at Nellie and says as he stands up to leave her room "I hope Mother and Father do sell Sparks. He deserves a better home than what you gave him."

Nellie goes over to the door and slams it.

As Willie was heading downstairs to tell his Mother what happened. Willie heard Mr. Ingalls and his Mother talking. He was interested in what was being said but didn't want to be seen and stays at the middle landing of the stairs and listens in.

Mrs. Oleson is complaing to Mr. Ingalls about how they decided to get rid of Sparks, "Oh Charles I know I shouldn't of bought Nellie that horse but he was good at the time. lt sounded like a good deal. If you can ask around and see if anyone would be interested in buying him that would be great."

Charles mentions, "Can I throw this out there? I personally think with Spark's condition you will have a hard time selling him."

Harriet doesn't know what to say and Nels coming in from the den overhearing his wife and Charles Nels mentions, "Harriet, Charles I was just thinking there is a Halter barn in Mankato who buys and fixes up lame and sick Horses. They do a awesome job fixing horses up. Tomorrow morning I'm taking Sparks to Mankato."

Charles agrees, "That sounds like a good idea, Nels."

At supper that evening Nels tells Nellie his plans for Sparks and Nellie is upset, "Father I want to keep Sparks! Please don't sale him."

"Sorry Nellie," Nels says, "It's final Sparks is going to be sold."

Nellie stumps away from the dinner table.

The next morning Nels takes Sparks to Mankato sells him to the Halter barnyard for 5,000 dollars and he puts the money in a Savings account.

Epilogue:

A few years past and Nellie is graduating from High School she gives her graduation speech, "Thank you to "most" of you" looking at Laura with a smirk.

After Nellie's speech her Mother Mrs. Oleson says, "Nellie dear your present is outside." Then Mrs. Oleson looks at Miss Wilder the new school teacher (Eliza Jane Wilder) and asks, "Can the school children see Nellie's gift?"

Eliza Jane Wilder answers, "Sure but let's make it quick."

They all go outside and Nels is uncovering Nellie's gift it's a Hotel and Restaurant.

The children go back to school.

Later that evening Nels and Harriet Oleson tells Nellie, "Nellie, remember when we sold your Horse Sparks to the Halter barnyard in Mankato? We saved the money and put it in a Savings account and it collected interest for a couple of years and that's how we get you the Hotel and Restaurant."

Nellie than asks, "I wonder how Sparks is doing?"

Nels answers, "I was just there yesterday and his leg is all healed up. He is nice and strong and making children happy as they come by for a ride or too."

The End