CHAPTER XVI.
MISS HOLBROOK, SPINSTER
It was at first on Jed's mind to tell Mr. Holbrook of his encounter with the young man upon the beach and his subsequent conversation with the fortune-teller and her predictions in regard to Chester. But he was afraid of being laughed at.
Moreover, as the days passed the impression made upon his mind became weaker, and was only recalled when from time to time he saw the young man on the sands or walking on the bluff.
He got on very well with Chester. The boy became strongly attached to him, much to the satisfaction of his father.
"So you like Jed, do you?" said Mr. Holbrook one evening, on his return from the city.
"Yes, papa, I like him ever so much."
"Do you like him as much as Clara?"
"Why, I don't like her at all."
Time wore on till the middle of August. Jed enjoyed his generous meals and the sea bathing which he shared in company with his young charge. He still lodged with Harry Bertram, but he shared the expense of the room.
But a change was coming, and an unwelcome one.
"Chester," said his father one evening, "I am going away for a week or ten days."
"Take me with you, papa!"
"No, I cannot. I am called to Chicago on business, and you will be much better off here at the beach."
"Jed will stay with me?"
"Yes, and I have sent for your Aunt Maria to come and look after you while I am gone."
"But I don't like Aunt Maria," objected the little boy. "She's always scolding me. She doesn't like boys."
"Perhaps not," said Mr. Holbrook with a smile. "If Maria had married it might have been different, but I believe few maiden ladies are fond of children."
"Then why do you have her come here, papa? Jed can take care of me."
"I have great confidence in Jed, Chester, but you will need some one to look after your clothes and oversee you in other ways."
"Isn't there any one else you can send for, papa? I don't like old maids."
"Don't trouble me with your objections, Chester. It will only be for a little while, remember. I am sure you can get along with your aunt for ten days."
"I will try to," answered the boy with a look of resignation.
The next day Miss Maria Holbrook came to Sea Spray with her brother. She was a tall, slender lady of middle age, with a thin face, and looked as if she were dissatisfied with a large proportion of her fellow-creatures.
Chester looked at her, but did not show any disposition to welcome her to the beach.
"You may kiss me, Chester," said the lady with an acid smile.
"Thank you, Aunt Maria, but I am not particular about it."
"Well, upon my word!" ejaculated the spinster. "My own brother's child, too!"
"Kiss your aunt, Chester," said his father.
"No, it is not necessary," put in Miss Holbrook sharply. "I don't want any hypocritical caresses. Robert, I am afraid you are spoiling that boy."
"Oh, no, Maria, not quite so bad as that. Chester is a middling good boy."
Miss Maria Holbrook sniffed incredulously.
"I am afraid you judge him too leniently," she said.
"Well, you can tell better after you have had time to observe him. It is two years now since you have seen Chester."
"Let us hope that my first impressions may be modified," said the spinster in a tone that indicated great doubt whether such would be the case.
"Jed, you may go. Chester will not need you any more this evening," said Mr. Holbrook.
"Thank you, sir," said Jed, and walked away.
"Who is that boy?" asked the spinster abruptly, looking at him through her eyeglasses.
"He is in charge of Chester while I am in the city."
"Why, he is only a boy!"
"Is that against him?"
"I thought Chester had a nurse."
"So he did, but she proved dishonest."
"Then why didn't you engage another?"
"Because Chester felt sensitive about having a girl following him. The other boys in the hotel laughed at him."
"Let them laugh!" said Miss Holbrook severely. "Are you to have your plans changed by a set of graceless boys?"
"As to that, Maria, I find this boy more satisfactory, both to Chester and myself."
"Humph! What is his name?"
"Jed."
"A very plebeian name."
"It isn't exactly fashionable, but names are not important."
"I beg your pardon. I think names are important."
"Perhaps that is the reason you have never changed yours, Maria. You might have been Mrs. Boggs if you had been less particular."
"I would rather remain unmarried all my life. But where did you pick up this boy?"
"I met him in the hotel."
"Was he boarding here?"
"No; I think he was boarding somewhere in the village."
"Do you know anything of his family?"
"No."
"Do you know anything of his antecedents?" continued Miss Holbrook.
"Yes; he played a part last season in the 'Gold King.'"
"Heavens and earth!" ejaculated the spinster, holding up her hands in horror. "Do you mean to tell me that you have placed your son in the charge of a young play actor?"
Mr. Holbrook laughed.
"Why not?"
"I am surprised that you should ask. You know as well as I do the character of actors."
"I know that some of them are very estimable gentlemen. As to Jed, he has not been long on the stage, I believe."
"Do you know anything of his family? Is he respectably connected?"
"I didn't think it important to inquire. It seems to me that the boy's own character is much more to the point. I have found Jed faithful and reliable, without bad habits, and I feel that Chester is safe in his hands."
"Oh you men, you men!" exclaimed Miss Holbrook. "You don't seem to have any judgment."
"I suppose," said Mr. Holbrook with good-natured sarcasm, "that all the good judgment is monopolized by the old maids. What a pity they have no children to bring up."
"Brother!" said Miss Holbrook in a freezing tone.
"I beg your pardon, Maria, but please credit me with a little good sense."
Miss Holbrook went up to the room assigned her with an offended expression, and had nothing further to say about Jed that evening.
The next morning Jed reported for duty just as Mr. Holbrook was leaving for his journey.
"Look after Chester while I am gone, Jed," said Mr. Holbrook pleasantly. "This is my sister, Miss Maria Holbrook, who will take my place here while I am gone."
Jed took off his hat politely, and Miss Holbrook honored him with a slight inclination of her head and a forbidding look.
"Good-by, Maria! I will telegraph you on my arrival in Chicago."
"Good-by, brother! You need have no apprehensions about Chester while I am here."
"I shall rest quite easy. Between you and Jed I am sure he will come to no harm."
Miss Holbrook pursed up her mouth at the conjunction of her name with Jed's, but said nothing.
"Shall I go and take a walk with Jed?" asked Chester.
"Yes, in a moment. I wish to speak to the young man first."
"What young man?"
"Jedediah."
"Jedediah!" echoed Chester with a merry laugh. "How funny that sounds!"
"I apprehend that Jedediah is your right name," said Miss Holbrook severely.
"I suppose so," answered Jed.
"You suppose so?"
"I mean that I have always been called Jed. I don't remember ever having been called by the full name."
"Don't your parents call you so?"
"My parents are not living."
"When did they die?"
Jed looked troubled.
"When I was a baby," he answered gravely.
"Indeed! Then who brought you up?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Avery."
"Were they any relations of yours?"
"No, but they were very kind to me."
"Come along, Jed! There's the steamboat just leaving the pier!" called Chester impatiently.
Without waiting to be further questioned Jed answered the call of his young charge. He was glad to get away, for he felt that the spinster might ask him some questions which he would find it difficult to answer.
CHAPTER XVII.
JED MEETS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE
Jed was not long in finding that Chester's aunt looked upon him, if not with hostility, at least with distrust. This was an unpleasant discovery. Mr. Holbrook had always appeared to have confidence in him, and approved his management of his son.
While Chester and Jed were walking on the beach Miss Holbrook took a seat upon the bluff and watched them through her spectacles, as Jed could not help seeing.
"I say, Jed," asked the little boy, "how do you like Aunt Maria?"
"I don't feel very well acquainted with her yet," answered Jed cautiously.
"I don't like her!" said Chester emphatically.
"Why not?"
"Oh, she's always scolding and finding fault. Papa says it's because she's an old maid."
Jed smiled.
"I wish papa had not sent for her," went on Chester. "We could get along well enough without her."
"I think we should get along very well together, Chester."
"I am sure we should. Have you got any old maid aunts?"
"Not that I know of," replied Jed soberly, as he had forced upon him the thought of his solitary condition.
"Then you are lucky. I'll give you Aunt Maria if you want her."
"Perhaps she might not consent to be given away, Chester."
Half an hour later Jed met with a surprise, and one not altogether agreeable.
"Hello! you here!" exclaimed an amazed voice that sounded familiar to Jed.
He looked up and saw Percy Dixon approaching.
"Oh, it's you, Percy?" he said. "When did you arrive?"
"This morning. Father and I are staying at the Spray House." This was the largest hotel, and Percy mentioned the name with evident pride.
"It is a nice hotel," responded Jed.
"I should say so. Why, it's the most expensive one here. But you haven't told me how you came here."
"I have been here for some weeks."
"Where do you live?"
"I have a room in the village, but I take my meals at the Spray House."
"You take your meals at the Spray House?" ejaculated Percy.
"Yes."
"How can you afford it?"
"This boy's father pays my board. I look after Chester."
"What's your name?" asked Chester, who was by no means bashful.
"Percy Dixon," answered Percy politely, for he judged that Chester belonged to a rich family.
"So you know Jed?"
"Yes. I have that honor," returned Percy with a curl of the lip. "When did you leave off acting?" he asked, turning to Jed.
"At the end of the season. Few dramatic companies play during the summer."
"Are you going to play with them again?"
"I don't know yet. The boy whose place I took may be ready to take his own part in the fall."
"I saw your old friends Mr. and Mrs. Fogson just before I came away," said Percy significantly. "Wouldn't you like to know how they are?"
"No; I feel no particular interest in them."
"They are interested in you. Fogson says he's bound to get you back some time."
"I don't care to talk of them," said Jed coldly.
"Are you going in bathing?" asked Chester.
"Yes, I think so. Do you go in?"
"Shall we go in, Jed?" asked the little boy.
"Yes, if you like, Chester."
The three boys repaired to the bathing-houses and prepared for their bath.
As they walked up to the hotel together afterwards, Percy remarked: "It seems strange to see you in such a place as this."
"I suppose so."
"It's funny how you get on. How did you get the chance to take care of the little boy?"
Jed explained.
"Is Chester's father rich?"
"I presume so, from what I hear."
"Is he here now?"
"No; he is in Chicago for a week or ten days."
"And is there no one except you to take care of the boy?"
"There is an aunt of Chester's in the hotel—his father's sister. There she is now!" and Jed pointed out Miss Maria Holbrook.
Percy noticed her attentively, and was observed in turn by the spinster, who privately resolved to seek some information about Jed from one who appeared to know him.
After dinner, while on the piazza, Miss Holbrook noticed Percy sitting but a few feet distant.
"Ahem!" she began. "Young man, will you do me the favor to move your chair a little nearer?"
Percy did so gladly. He wished for a chance to become acquainted with Jed's employers.
"Thank you. May I ask your name?"
"Percy Dixon."
"I noticed that you seemed to be acquainted with the boy who is in charge of my young nephew Chester."
"Yes, ma'am, I know him."
"Have you known him long?"
"As far back as I can remember."
"Did you live in the same town?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Where?"
"Scranton."
"You must pardon my curiosity, but my brother—Chester's father—engaged this boy without apparently knowing much about him, except that he had been on the stage."
"He wasn't on the stage long."
"Perhaps not, but probably he didn't get any good from it. What is your opinion of him. Though, as you are his friend–"
"I am not his friend!" said Percy bluntly.
"Then you haven't a high opinion of him?" said Miss Holbrook eagerly.
"No; I never liked him."
"I don't like him myself, though I can't tell exactly why not, and I am bound to say that Chester and his father seem infatuated with him."
"I think you are quite right, Miss Holbrook."
"I can't help thinking there is some mystery about him."
"You are right, Miss Holbrook. There is a mystery about him."
"I was sure of it," exclaimed the spinster. "What is the character of his relations?"
"He has none that I know of."
"I believe he told me his parents were dead, and that he was brought up by a Mr. and Mrs. Avery."
"Ho, ho!" laughed Percy.
"Why do you laugh?"
"At his being brought up by Mr. and Mrs. Avery."
"Isn't it true, then?"
"Yes; but he probably didn't tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Avery had charge of the Scranton poorhouse."
"What!" ejaculated the spinster.
"It is as I say. Until a few weeks since Jed was an inmate of the Scranton poorhouse."
"And this boy is actually in charge of my nephew!" exclaimed Miss Holbrook, overwhelmed with horror.
"Yes; I was very much surprised to see Jed in such company."
"My poor brother must be quite unaware of this astounding fact!"
"No doubt, Miss Holbrook. Jed is cunning. He wouldn't be very apt to tell your brother that he is a pauper."
"A pauper! What a horrid thought! And that boy has actually the effrontery to push himself in among people of position. I can hardly believe it."
"If you have any doubt about it, Miss Holbrook, just write a note to Mr. Simeon Fogson, and ask him what he thinks of Jed Gilman."
"But I thought it was Mr. Avery who kept the poorhouse."
"He did; but when my father became Overseer of the Poor," said Percy with conscious pride, "he removed the Averys and put in Mr. and Mrs. Fogson, whom he considered more fit for the office. The Averys were weak people and pampered the paupers."
"Mr. Simeon Fogson, Scranton," Miss Holbrook entered on her tablets.
"Really, Mr. Dixon, I am very much obliged to you for the important information you have given me, and so ought my brother to be. He has been very careless and indiscreet in engaging a boy of unknown antecedents, but it is fortunate that Chester has an aunt who is keenly alive to his interests."
As she rose to go to her room to write to Mr. Fogson, Percy smiled.
"Jed Gilman will find that his goose is cooked," he said to himself. "Won't he be astonished when the thunderbolt falls?"
CHAPTER XVIII.
MR. FOGSON RECEIVES A LETTER
Let us go back to the Scranton poorhouse. Mr. Fogson was sawing wood near the house. It was a task which Jed had been accustomed to do, but in his absence it devolved upon Mr. Fogson, who was very much disinclined to that form of labor, but still more to paying for having it done.
He had thought of requiring Isaac Needham, one of the paupers, to do the sawing; but the old man, who was over seventy-five, proved physically unable to do the work, and very much against his will Mr. Fogson found himself compelled to undertake it himself.
"Drat that Jed!" he muttered, as he stopped to mop his forehead with his red cotton handkerchief. "It's an outrage for him to throw his work on me. I wish I had him here this blessed minute and could give him a taste of the strap."
At this point a neighbor's boy, Joe Coakley, entered the yard.
"Here's a letter for you, Mr. Fogson," he said. "I guess it's from a lady."
With considerable surprise Mr. Fogson took the letter in his hand. The envelope was square, and of fine paper, while the address was in a lady's handwriting.
Mr. Fogson examined the postmark curiously.
"Sea Spray!" he repeated. "Why, that's a fashionable watering-place. Who can have written me from there?"
Just then Mrs. Fogson came out from the side door.
"What letter have you there?" she asked.
"It is from a lady, Mrs. F.," answered her husband with a grin.
"What business has a lady writing to you?" demanded Mrs. Fogson suspiciously.
"Really I don't know, as I have not read the letter."
"Give it to me!"
"No, thank you. I read my own letters."
"Mr. Fogson, if you are engaged in a private correspondence with any lady I intend to find out all about it."
"Don't be a fool, Mrs. F.; I don't know who the writer is, and I have never had a letter from her before."
By this time he had opened the envelope, and his face quickly assumed an expression of interest.
"It's about Jed," he exclaimed. "I'll read it to you."
This was the letter:
My Dear Sir:
I am informed that you can give me information as to the past history of Jedediah Gilman. Some weeks ago my brother, Robert Holbrook, a well-known merchant of New York, engaged the boy as a companion and personal attendant of his young son Chester, without knowing much about him or taking the trouble to inquire. Having seen the boy, I have doubts as to whether he is a suitable companion for a boy in my nephew's high social station. I learn from young Mr. Percy Dixon, of your town, that you can give me full information as to the boy's antecedents. I shall feel indebted to you if you will take the trouble to communicate with me by letter.
My brother is now in Chicago, and I am in temporary charge of my nephew. I feel that it is my duty to inquire into the character of a boy who by his intimate association with him may, if he is unworthy, do incalculable harm to his young and trustful nature.
Yours very truly,Maria Holbrook,Spray Hotel,Sea Spray, N. J.
"Well, upon my word!" ejaculated Mrs. Fogson. "So that young villain has wormed his way into the confidence of a rich New York merchant!"
"Like a snake in the grass," suggested Simeon Fogson.
"Exactly. It makes me shudder to think what an impostor he is. It is providential that Percy Dixon should find him out and show him up."
"I'll show him up!" said Fogson, nodding. "I'll just write to Miss Holbrook, and tell her of his goin's on. I reckon he won't keep his place long after they get my letter."
"You'd better let me write the letter, Simeon."
"No, Mrs. F., the letter was addressed to me, and I'm goin' to answer it."
"Just as you like, Mr. Fogson, but you are well aware that you are weak in your spelling."
"Never mind, Mrs. F., I reckon I can make myself understood."
"Just as you like, Fogson. Only make it strong enough."
"You can trust me for that."
CHAPTER XIX.
DISCHARGED
In a front room on the second floor of the Spray Hotel sat Miss Maria Holbrook with a letter in her hand. It was written on the cheapest note-paper, and inclosed in a plebeian brown envelope.
Of course it will be understood that it was the epistolary effort of Mr. Simeon Fogson.
"Just as I thought!" soliloquized the lady. "This boy seems to be a disreputable character of the lowest antecedents, and utterly unworthy to associate even as a servant with a member of my family."
Here Chester entered in his usual impetuous manner.
"Oh, Aunt Maria," he cried, "I had a bully bath."
"I am shocked to hear you use such a low term as 'bully,' Chester," said his aunt. "No doubt you learned it of Jedediah."
"No, I didn't. Jed never uses the word. At least I never heard him."
"Will you tell Jedediah that I wish to see him at once on important business?"
"It seems funny to hear you call him Jedediah, Aunt Maria."
"I apprehend that it is his right name; 'Jed' sounds low."
"Well, I'll tell him to come up."
When Jed made his appearance Miss Holbrook said: "You may go below, Chester. I wish to speak to Jedediah in private."
"What's up now, I wonder?" thought Jed.
The lady turned upon him a severe look.
"Jedediah," she said, "is it true that your earlier years were spent at the Scranton poorhouse?"
"Yes, madam," answered Jed, coloring.
"Did you apprise my brother of this fact when he engaged you?"
"No, madam. I suppose you learned it from Percy Dixon."
"I learned it from young Mr. Dixon, but I could hardly believe it. He referred me to Mr. Simeon Fogson, of Scranton, and I have a letter from that gentleman in my hand. You probably will not care to read it."
"I should like very much to read it, Miss Holbrook. I should like to know whether Mr. Fogson tells the truth."
"Here is the letter, then."
Jed read it with conflicting emotions.
Respected Madam:
I am glad to give you the informashun you ask about that young villen Jed Gilman, who ran away from the Poor House some weeks since after a violent assault on me, his offishul guardeen. Words cannot tell you how much trouble I have had with that boy.
Likewise he has been very impident to Mrs. Fogson. The reeson is that he was too much indulged by my predicesors in offis Mr. and Mrs. Avery. I have tried to do my dooty by the boy, but as Squire Dixon, the Overseer will tell you my efforts has been in vane. I am not supprised that your brother was took in by Jed for he is the artfulest boy I ever seen. I hope for the sake of your young nefew's welfare you will discharge him at once and not allow him to corrup his youthful mind.
Yours respectfully,Simeon Fogson.
"Well," said Miss Holbrook triumphantly, "that doesn't seem to commend you very highly."
"No," answered Jed, returning the letter to the envelope. "It is such a letter as I should expect Mr. Fogson to write."
"Why?"
"Because he is unfit for his place," answered Jed boldly. "He half starves the poor people under his charge, treats them roughly, and is detested by all."
"He says you are impudent and troublesome."
"I did not allow him to impose upon me."
"He says you ran away."
"I had a right to leave, as I felt able to support myself. I was recommended to do so by Dr. Redmond, the best physician in Scranton, who is a friend of mine."
"I have listened to your side of the story," said Miss Holbrook coldly, "and the terms in which you speak of Mr. Fogson convince me that his charges are correct. Of course you will not expect me to keep you in charge of my nephew."
"Will you wait till Mr. Holbrook returns?" pleaded Jed, who felt sad at the prospect of parting with Chester.
"No; I shall not feel justified in doing so. I will pay you up to date, and assume the charge of Chester myself."
She drew a bill from her pocket and handed it to Jed, who took it mechanically and left the room with a sober face. He was dismissed from his position in disgrace, a disgrace which he felt was not deserved.
What was he to do next?