Jed

“ Jed smiled. He felt that he could afford to disregard Percy's impertinence.
"My dear friend Percy," he said. "How well you remember me!"
"Yes, I remember you, and so does Mr. Fogson of the Scranton poorhouse."
"Remember me to the kind old man!" said Jed comically.
"How soon are you going back?"
"Not very soon. Of course it would be pleasant to me to be able to see you every day, Percy, but——"
"You needn't flatter yourself that I would take any notice of you. What are you doing for a living?" ”

“ Jed's curiosity was excited, and he accepted the invitation.
He found his roommate to be a good-looking young man of perhaps thirty, and with a pleasant expression.
"So you are Jed?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"And you live in the poorhouse?"
"Yes," answered Jed, half-ashamed to admit it, "but I don't mean to stay here."
"Good! A smart boy like you ought not to be a pauper. You are able to earn your own living outside. But perhaps you are attached to the queer people who made me a visit last night." ”

“ Once Jed chanced upon Steve stripped for a bath beside the creek, and he understood the physical reason for his perfect poise. The wiry, sinuous muscles, packed compactly without obtrusion, played beneath the skin like those of a panther. He walked as softly and as easily as one, with something of the rippling, unconscious grace of that jungle lord. It was this certainty of himself that vivified the steel-gray eyes which looked forth unafraid, and yet amiably, upon a world primitive enough to demand proof of every man who would hold the respect of his fellows. ”

“ It hurts his boyish pride to have a woman accompanying him everywhere. It appears to me that a boy old enough to look after him will suit him much better. But perhaps you would not like being encumbered with a small boy?"
"I should like it very much, sir," said Jed. "I like young boys, and I am sure I should like your son."
"Come up stairs, then. I will see how he likes you."
Jed followed his new acquaintance up to a suite of two rooms on the second floor. A young boy was at the window. He looked inquiringly at his father and Jed.
"Come here, Chester," said the former. ”

“ If I put any strain on the rope on the side where you are now, there may be another cave-in."
Will started to do as his brother had directed, but he had not gone far before there came another rumble of the earth, and more dirt slid down into the hole where Jed was hidden from sight.
"Jed! Jed! Are you hurt?" cried Will. "Did it fall on you?"
But there was no answer, and, waiting in the fast gathering blackness, Will felt a great fear in his heart. What if Jed had been killed, and he was left all alone there in the mountains, with that band of unprincipled men close after him?
"Jed! Jed!" ”

“ Jed's new acquaintance was a stout man of middle age, with a prompt, alert manner, and looked like a business man. He had a quick, impulsive way with him.
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"Are you travelling?" he asked, noticing Jed's valise.
"Yes, sir."
"Going to see the world, eh?"
"I'm going in search of a living, sir," answered Jed.
"Got parents?"
"No, sir. I'm alone in the world."
"Well, you've got a tough job before you."
"Yes, sir, I don't doubt it; but I am young and healthy, and I think I ought to be able to earn my living. Are you a business man?" ”

“ It was too much for any man to do for another. And she said to talk the whole puzzle out with you. She seems to have all the confidence on earth in your judgment, Jed. She is as willing to leave a decision to you, apparently, as you profess to be to leave one to your wooden prophet up on the shelf there; what's-his-name— er—Isaiah."
Jed looked greatly pleased, but he shook his head. "I'm afraid her confidence ain't founded on a rock, like the feller's house in the Bible," he drawled. ”

“ Percy admitted.
"Probably this Jed is a very ordinary boy?"
"I should say so. Ordinary is no name for it. He is stupid."
"Then you will see for yourself that it is not very likely that he should become an accomplished actor all at once. If it were you it might be different. You are evidently a young man of social position, while this Jed is a poor boy, and I presume without education." ”

“ CHAPTER XXXI. JED RETURNS GOOD FOR EVIL.
In the short time before the Juno left for Bar Harbor, Schuyler Roper became quite intimate with Jed. There was never a trace of condescension in his manner to his boy friend, but Jed was always treated as if in birth and position he was the equal of the young patrician. Together they walked about the city, and frequently dined together, always at some expensive hotel or restaurant. ”

“ It is sufficient to say that Jed, the telegraph boy, had been stolen from his parents in early life, the Gold King being his father. He is obliged to earn his own living as a boy, but in the last act he is restored to his friends and his old station in life. ”

“ Meanwhile, Jed had hidden the nuggets among the things on the back of his horse.
"So, tenderfoot, we meet again," said Con Morton, in sneering tones, as he rode close to Jed. "Oh, you needn't be afraid I'll hurt you," he went on. "You're safe enough."
"I'm not afraid of you," said the lad boldly.
"You might better be. I'm a dangerous man when I'm aroused."
"I guess you're dangerous for any one who has money," replied Jed. "But we haven't any fortune for you to steal, as you did that of Mr. Harrison."
"Who says I stole his fortune?" demanded the gambler sharply. ”

“ Foiled, the stallion halted.
"Captain," exclaimed VB, "what ails you?"
"To be sure, nothin' ails him," said Jed sagely. "You're his master; you own him, body and soul; but you ain't drove th' hate for men out of his heart. He seems to love you—but not others—yes—"
His voice died out as he watched the black beast make love to the tall young chap who scolded into his dainty ear. ”

“ As the summer waned and the long yellow leaves began to fall thickly from the willows in the Adams lane Jed began to talk of going out west again. Tin-peddling was not possible in winter, and he didn't think he would try it another summer. Mattie listened with dismay in her heart. All summer she had made much of Jed, by way of tormenting Selena. But now she realized what he really meant to her. The old love had wakened to life in her heart; she could not let Jed go out of her life again, leaving her to the old loneliness. If Jed went away everything would be flat, stale, and unprofitable. ”

“ They had gone thus through two verses when Jed seemed to think it was about time to start something. Things were going altogether too smoothly for an untried teacher, if she was handsome and unabashed. If they went on like this the scholars would lose all respect for him. So, being quite able to sing a clear tenor, he nevertheless puckered his lips impertinently, drew his brows in an ominous frown, and began to whistle a somewhat erratic accompaniment to the song. He watched the teacher closely, expecting to see the color flame in her cheeks, the anger flash in her eyes ”

“ She needed him, she wailed; he was her life, her all; she should die if he left her. Some hard-hearted townspeople, Captain Hunniwell among them, disgustedly opined that, in view of such a result, Jed should be forcibly kidnaped forthwith for the general betterment of the community. But Jed himself never rebelled. ”

“ Captain Sam laughed uproariously. "You must be pretty bad then, Jed," he declared. "Anybody who disagrees with Bluey Batcheldor must be pretty nigh the limit."
Jed nodded. "Um-hm," he said, reflectively, "pretty nigh, but not quite. Always seemed to me the real limit was anybody who agreed with him."
So Jed, with Babbie on his knee, sat in the corner of the bay window looking out on the street, while Mrs. Armstrong and her brother and Miss Hunniwell played and sang and the captain applauded vigorously and loudly demanded more. ”

“ Phillips shook his head. "Nevertheless, Jed," he declared, "I can't understand why you did it and I never—never shall forget it. Neither will Ruth. She will tell you so to-morrow."
Jed was frightened. "No, no, no, she mustn't," he cried, quickly. "I—I don't want her to talk about it. I—I don't want anybody to talk about it. Please tell her not to, Charlie! Please! It's— it's all such foolishness anyhow. Let's forget it."
"It isn't the sort of thing one forgets easily. ”

“ Yours! You give it back to me, Jed Burr! If you don't, I'll go home. I won't go to school at all."
"Do it, then," shouted Jed. "See here," seizing the little fellow, and shaking him hard, "you blab one word, and I won't let a fellow in the crowd play with you, or even speak to you."
"See here, Jed Burr, you drop that," cried Bob, stepping into view and pulling Ned away from the grasp of the bully. ”

“ After supper Gabe left the two boys alone, as he wanted to go about and make some inquiries of an old friend of his, who was somewhere about the diggings.
As Jed and Will were passing out of the hotel through the barroom, for there were no other egress, they were stopped by a flashily dressed man, who, with several others, was playing cards at a table in a corner.
"Hello, sports!" he greeted the lads. "Take a hand in the game. We're short."
"We don't gamble!" exclaimed Jed quickly. He was an outspoken lad, and never beat about the bush. ”

“ In a few minutes supper was over, and Jed felt better. It is wonderful how much more cheerful views we take of life and the world on a full than on an empty stomach.
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Jed experienced this. He couldn't, to be sure, look very far ahead, but he had had three meals that day in spite of an empty purse, and the money he was to earn would insure him a bed and three meals for the coming day, in all probability.
"It is half-past six" said his companion, referring to his watch—"a good while before I shall need your services. Do you feel tired?"
"Yes, sir; I have been on my feet all day." ”

“ It was ridiculous enough, of course, but Jed did not feel like smiling. The bitterness of the little man's final curse was not humorous. Neither was the heartbreak in his tone when he spoke of his boy. Jed felt no self-reproach; he had advised Leander just as he might have advised his own son had his life been like other men's lives, normal men who had married and possessed sons. He had no sympathy for Phineas Babbitt's vindictive hatred of all those more fortunate than he or who opposed him, or for his silly and selfish ideas concerning the war. ”

“ He spends freely, but does not squander his money. He is paying for the college education of a poor boy in whom he feels an interest—the son of an old bookkeeper of his father's—as I happen to know. He is a favorite in society, but has never shown an inclination to marry."
[Pg 274]
"Is his mother living?" asked Jed.
"No; she died before his father. He is very much alone in the world."
"That is why he is so generous to me, I think."
"Perhaps so, but it is his nature to be kind. By the way, Jed, when my family comes back from Sea Spray I would like to have you call upon us. ”

“ Jed, once more absorbed in gloomy musings—not quite as gloomy, perhaps; somehow the clouds had not descended quite so heavily upon his soul since Babbie's visit—looked up to see there standing behind him Maud Hunniwell and Charlie Phillips.
He sprang to his feet. "Eh?" he cried, delightedly. "Well, well, so you're back, Charlie, safe and sound. Well, well!"
Phillips grasped the hand which Jed had extended and shook it heartily.
"Yes, I'm back," he said.
"Um-hm. . . . And—er—how did you leave Uncle Sam? Old feller's pretty busy these days, 'cordin' to the papers." ”

“ She's a very high-strung child."
That settled it. Jed argued that Petunia must on no account be strung higher than she was and consented to dine at the Hunniwells'.
The day before Thanksgiving brought another visitor to the windmill shop, one as welcome as he was unexpected. Jed, hearing the door to the stock room open, shouted "Come in" from his seat at the workbench in the inner room. When his summons was obeyed he looked up to see a khaki-clad figure advancing with extended hand.
"Why, hello, Major!" he exclaimed. "I'm real glad to— Eh, 'tain't Major Grover, is it? ”

“ Jed nodded, but made no comment. The captain fidgeted with a button of his coat. He turned toward the door, stopped, cleared his throat, hesitated, and then turned back again.
"Jed," he said, "has—has it seemed to you that—that he—that Charlie was—maybe—comin' to think consider'ble of—of my daughter—of Maud?"
Jed looked up, caught his eye, and looked down again. Captain Sam sighed.
"I see," he said. "You don't need to answer. I presume likely the whole town has been talkin' about it for land knows how long. It's generally the folks at home that don't notice till the last gun fires. ”

“ Bertram?" asked Jed smilingly.
"Who could, with such a change of dress? You must have met some good fairy. And how did you fall in with Mr. Mordaunt?"
"He kindly offered me a ride."
"Then you have left Scranton for good?"
"For good, I hope. If I can help you in any way I will do my best."
"Try him, Bertram," said the manager. "He is very presentable. Take him in hand, and see if you can't get him ready to take Ralph Clinton's place."
"Then no time is to be lost. Come up to my room, Jed, and I will tell you what you are expected to do—that is, if you have had supper." ”

“ Bob noticed that one of the captives was Jed Burr.
"What are you going to do with us?" asked Jed.
"Douse him in the lake!" cried one urgent voice.
"No, roll him down the bluff," said another.
"We'll do better than that," replied Dave. "Here, tie their arms behind them," he ordered, as several pieces of rope were brought to him.
"Hold on," said Jed. "Fun's fun, you know."
"Yes, you spoiled ours just now, so we're going to have some fresh fun," laughed Dave.
Jed tried to fight off his captors, but the crowd found it easy to bind him and his companion. ”