CHAPTER XIII. FOGSON IN PURSUIT.

 "What do you mean, Percy?" asked Squire¹ Dixon, referring to his son's exclamation² at the close of the preceding chapter. "Do you know anything of Jed?"

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

"But Jed doesn't know anything about acting³."

 

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

 

[Pg 116]

 

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

 

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

 

"Really, this is a most surprising circumstance," said the squire. "The boy is a hardened young villain⁴. His running away from those who are lawfully⁵ set over him in authority is a most audacious and highhanded outrage⁶."

 

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

 

"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 fugitive⁷."

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

[Pg 117]

 

"To the gallows⁸, I think," answered Fogson. "But how did you learn this?"

 

"Percy saw him on the stage last evening."

 

"And he actually played a part?"

 

"Yes."

 

"In his ragged⁹ suit?"

 

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

 

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

 

"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?"

 

"I have noticed that he has been unusually impudent¹⁰. Ha, I have it!" said Fogson, suddenly, slapping his thigh¹¹.

 

"What have you?" asked Percy.

 

"There was an actor stayed at the poorhouse night before last—an actor named Bertram. It is he that has lured¹² Jed astray."

 

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

 

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

 

[Pg 118]

 

"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."

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

"Yes; do you want to see him?"

 

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

 

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

 

[Pg 119]

 

Fogson nodded.

 

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

 

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

 

"No, but I am his guardian¹³."

 

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

 

"Sick!" he repeated to himself, as he ascended¹⁴ the staircase. "I guess he'll be sick before he gets through with me."

 

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

 

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

 

"I've got you, you young rascal¹⁵!" he exclaimed.

 

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

 

Then for the first time Fogson, who was shortsighted, found out that the boy was not Jed, but a youth of lighter¹⁶ complexion¹⁷ and slighter physique.

 

He fell back in confusion.

 

[Pg 120]

 

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

 

"I am Ralph Clinton."

 

"But I want Jed Gilman."

 

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

 

"Do you act with the Gold King Company?"

 

"Yes, when I am well."

 

"Did you act last evening?"

 

"No; there was another boy that took my place."

 

"That's the one I want. He ran away from me."

 

"Are you his father?"

 

"No, I'm his guardian."

 

"I don't like your looks," said Ralph, who was a very free-spoken young man. "I don't blame him for running away from you."

 

Fogson scowled¹⁸.

 

"I believe you're as bad as he," he growled¹⁹. "There's one thing sure—I'm going to get the boy back. Where is he?"

 

"On the road, I expect. He will take my place till I get well."

 

[Pg 121]

 

"Not much, he won't. Have the rest of the actors left Duncan?"

 

"You'd better ask down stairs. I'm not going to help you get the boy back."

 

Fogson had nothing to do but to go down again to the public room. The clerk told him that the company were to play that evening at Bolton, twelve miles away, and were probably there now, having taken the morning train.

 

"Twelve miles away!" thought Fogson in dismay. "I can't drive so far as that. Squire Dixon wouldn't like to have me drive his horse so many miles. What shall I do?"

 

This was a question easier asked than answered. If he had not been burdened with the horse and buggy he would have taken the next train for Bolton. As it was, he didn't feel at liberty to do this.

 

He wished Squire Dixon were at hand, so that he might ask his advice, for he felt quite unable to decide for himself what was best to be done. As he stood beside his team in a state of indecision he heard the sound of approaching wheels, and looking up, recognized Dr. Redmond's carriage.

 

[Pg 122]

 

"What brings you to Duncan, Mr. Fogson?" asked the doctor with a peculiar²⁰ smile.

 

"I've come after that rascal Jed."

 

"Is he here?" asked the doctor innocently.

 

"He has run away from the poorhouse and joined some strolling players. He played in the theatre last evening."

 

"Did he, indeed?" asked the doctor, really surprised. "He must be a smart boy to take up acting so suddenly."

 

"He is a very impudent boy."

 

"Is he? Then I should think you would be glad to get rid of him."

 

"I don't mean to let him off so easily. I'm going to bring him back to the poorhouse, and when I get hold of him I'll——"

 

Mr. Fogson nodded his head significantly. It was clear that he intended that the way of the transgressor²¹ should be hard.

 

"It strikes me, Mr. Fogson, that you are acting in a very foolish manner," said the doctor.

 

"Why am I?"

 

"I will tell you. Jed has got tired of being supported by the town, and he has taken[Pg 123] the matter into his own hands. In other words, he proposes to relieve the town of the expense of his maintenance. The town will doubtless be glad to have one dependent less on its hands. You appear to want to get him back, and make the town once more responsible for his support. Is it not so?"

 

Fogson looked blank. The matter had never presented itself to him in that light before.

 

"You certainly won't make yourself very popular by this action," proceeded Dr. Redmond. "As a good citizen you ought to be glad that the town's expenses are lessened²²."

 

"Would you have me let the boy go?" Fogson ejaculated.

 

"Certainly, I would. Jed is able to support himself, and there is no earthly reason for keeping him in the poorhouse. I advise you to represent the matter to Squire Dixon, and see what he thinks about it."

 

Mr. Fogson drove home slowly. He found it hard to have Jed escape from his clutches, but Squire Dixon, upon consultation²³, [Pg 124]reluctantly decided²⁴ that perhaps it was best to drop the matter then and there. No one was more disappointed over this decision than Percy Dixon.

 

1 squire   

n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅

参考例句：

• I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
• The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。

2 exclamation   

n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词

参考例句：

• He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
• The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号，以引起读者的注意。

3 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

4 villain   

n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因

参考例句：

• He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。
• The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。

5 lawfully   

adv.守法地，合法地；合理地

参考例句：

• Lawfully established contracts shall be protected by law. 依法成立的合同应受法律保护。 来自口语例句
• As my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, till death parts us. 当成是我的合法丈夫，无论疾病灾难，直到死亡把我们分开。 来自电影对白

6 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

7 fugitive   

adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者

参考例句：

• The police were able to deduce where the fugitive was hiding.警方成功地推断出那逃亡者躲藏的地方。
• The fugitive is believed to be headed for the border.逃犯被认为在向国境线逃窜。

8 gallows   

n.绞刑架，绞台

参考例句：

• The murderer was sent to the gallows for his crimes.谋杀犯由于罪大恶极被处以绞刑。
• Now I was to expiate all my offences at the gallows.现在我将在绞刑架上赎我一切的罪过。

9 ragged   

adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的

参考例句：

• A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
• Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。

10 impudent   

adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的

参考例句：

• She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
• The teacher threatened to kick the impudent pupil out of the room.老师威胁着要把这无礼的小学生撵出教室。

11 thigh   

n.大腿；股骨

参考例句：

• He is suffering from a strained thigh muscle.他的大腿肌肉拉伤了，疼得很。
• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。

12 lured   

吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The child was lured into a car but managed to escape. 那小孩被诱骗上了车，但又设法逃掉了。
• Lured by the lust of gold,the pioneers pushed onward. 开拓者在黄金的诱惑下，继续奋力向前。

13 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

14 ascended   

v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

16 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

17 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

18 scowled   

怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He scowled his displeasure. 他满脸嗔色。
• The teacher scowled at his noisy class. 老师对他那喧闹的课堂板着脸。

19 growled   

v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说

参考例句：

• \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

21 transgressor   

n.违背者

参考例句：

• We expect the transgressor to make any atonement possible to him. 我们期待犯了过失的人有可能做到的赎罪行为。 来自辞典例句
• We expect transgressor to make any atonement possible to him. “我深信，”西丝又重说一遍，“这是你能做的唯一的赎罪的办法。” 来自互联网

22 lessened   

减少的，减弱的

参考例句：

• Listening to the speech through an interpreter lessened its impact somewhat. 演讲辞通过翻译的嘴说出来，多少削弱了演讲的力量。
• The flight to suburbia lessened the number of middle-class families living within the city. 随着迁往郊外的风行，住在城内的中产家庭减少了。

23 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

24 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。