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Jed, The Poorhouse Boy

Creator: Horatio Alger (author)
Date: 1899
Publisher: The John Winston Company. Philadelphia
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2

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953  

"Yes," admitted Percy; "I must be mistaken. This boy had a very nice suit on. while Jed was dressed in rags."

954  

When they reached home Squire Dixon was abed and asleep. Percy came down late to breakfast.

955  

"By the way, Percy," said his father, as he helped him to breakfast, "Fogson has just been over to report that the boy Jed has mysteriously disappeared. He never went back after bringing me the message yesterday afternoon."

956  

Percy dropped his knife and fork and stared at his father in open-eyed amazement.

957  

"Then it was Jed, after all!" he exclaimed.

958  

CHAPTER XIII.
Fogson in Pursuit

959  

"WHAT do you mean, Percy?" asked Squire Dixon, referring to his son's exclamation at the close of the preceding chapter. "Do you know anything of Jed?"

960  

"Yes; I saw him last evening at Duncan."

961  

"But what took him there? What was he doing?"

962  

"He was on the stage. He was playing in 'The Gold King.'"

963  

"What do you mean by this absurd statement?" demanded his father angrily.

964  

"It is true. Ask mother if it isn't."

965  

"I think Percy is right," said Mrs. Dixon. "The young actor bears a wonderful resemblance to the boy Jed."

966  

"But Jed doesn't know anything about acting."

967  

"That is why I thought I was mistaken. But if Jed has run away it must be he."

968  

"Why didn't you manage to speak to him after the play?"

969  

"I did, and he denied that he was Jed. He calls himself Ralph Clinton,"

970  

"Really, this is a most surprising circumstance," said the squire, "The boy is a hardened young villain. His running away from those who are lawfully set over him in authority is a most audacious and highhanded outrage."

971  

"That's what I think," chimed in Percy. "What shall you do about it? Shan't you go after him?"

972  

"I think it my duty to do so. As soon as breakfast is over, ask Mr. Fogson to come round here. Tell him I have news of the fugitive."

973  

Three-quarters of an hour later Simeon Fogson was admitted into the august presence of the Overseer of the Poor.

974  

"I hear you have news of Jed Gilman," he said. "That is what your son Percy tells me."

975  

"It is true, Mr. Fogson. The young scapegrace has joined a company of actors. What is he coming to?"

976  

"To the gallows, I think," answered Fogson. "But how did you learn this?"

977  

"Percy saw him on the stage last evening."

978  

"And he actually played a part?"

979  

"Yes."

980  

"In his ragged suit?"

981  

"No," answered Percy. "He had a telegraph boy's suit first, and afterwards a nice brown suit -- as nice as mine."

982  

"Where did he get 'em?" asked Fogson.

983  

"That's the question!" returned the squire solemnly. "There is a strange mystery about the boy's goings on. Have you observed anything queer in his conduct of late?"

984  

"I have noticed that he has been unusually impudent. Ha, I have it!" said Fogson, suddenly, slapping his thigh.

985  

"What have you?" asked Percy.

986  

"There was an actor stayed at the poorhouse night before last -- an actor named Bertram. It is he that has lured Jed astray."

987  

"There was an actor by that name in the play last evening."

988  

"Then that settles it Squire Dixon, what shall I do?"

989  

"I think, Mr. Fogson, you had better go at once to Duncan -- I will lend you my buggy -- and secure the boy, tying him hand and foot, if necessary, and take him back to the poorhouse."

990  

Simeon Fogson smiled grimly. It was an errand that suited him.

991  

"I will do so," he said, "and I will lose no time."

992  

"Don't ask for Jed Gilman," suggested Percy. "Ask for Ralph Clinton. That's the name he goes by now."

993  

Mr. Fogson drew out a stub of a lead-pencil and put down this name. In twenty minutes he was on his way, and an hour later he drew up in front of the hotel in Duncan.

994  

He left the buggy and entered the public room of the inn.

995  

"Is there such a boy as Ralph Clinton here?" he asked the clerk.

996  

"Yes; do you want to see him?"

997  

"I should like very much to see him," answered Fogson grimly.

998  

"He is in No. 12. Jim, show the gentleman up. He is sick."

999  

Fogson nodded.

1000  

"I dare say," he added significantly. "I guess his acting made him sick."

1001  

"Yes, that's what I heard. Is he your son?"

1002  

"No, but I am his guardian."

1003  

Fogson was quite elated at so easily getting on the track of the fugitive.

1004  

"Sick!" he repeated to himself, as he ascended the staircase. "I guess he'll be sick before he gets through with me."

1005  

The servant knocked at No. 12, and a boy's voice was heard to say "Come in!"

1006  

The door was opened, and Fogson, rushing in, grasped the arm of a boy sitting in a rocing-chair.

1007  

"I've got you, you young rascal!" he ex- claimed.

1008  

"What do you mean, you lunatic?" demanded the boy in a clear voice, higher pitched than was Jed's.

1009  

Then for the first time Fogson, who was shortsighted, found out that the boy was not Jed, but a youth of lighter complexion and slighter physique.

1010  

He fell back in confusion.

1011  

"I was told you were Ralph Clinton," he explained, looking rather foolish.

1012  

"I am Ralph Clinton."

1013  

"But I want Jed Gilman."

1014  

"Then why don't you look for Jed Gilman? What have I got to do with him?"

1015  

"Do you act with the Gold King Company?"

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