CHAPTER XXV. WITHOUT A PENNY.

There is nothing that makes one feel so helpless as to be without a penny in a strange city. If Jed had had even a dollar he would have felt better.

 

The fact of his poverty was emphasized when a boy came up to him and asked him to buy a morning paper. Jed instinctively¹ felt in his pocket for a penny, but not even a cent was forthcoming.

 

"I have no change," he said, by way of excuse.

 

"I can change a dollar," responded the newsboy, who was more than usually enterprising.

 

"I wish I could," thought Jed, but he only said, "No, it is no matter."

 

So he walked along Broadway, fairly well dressed, but, so far as money went, a pauper². Yes, though no longer an inmate³ of the [Pg 223]Scranton poorhouse, he was even poorer than when he was there, for then he had a home, and now he had none.

 

"I wonder when it is all going to end?" reflected poor Jed despondently⁴. Then his anger was excited when he thought of the unprincipled rascal⁵ who had brought him to this pass.

 

"If I could only get hold of him," muttered Jed vengefully, "I would give him something to remember me by."

 

All the while Jed walked on, though his walk was aimless. He was as well off in one part of the city as another, and only walked to fill up time.

 

He found himself passing a drug store. Just outside the door he saw the sign "Boy wanted," and with a little kindling⁶ of hope he entered the store.

 

Just behind the counter stood a man with a sandy beard, who appeared to be the proprietor⁷. To him Jed addressed himself.

 

"I see you want a boy," he said.

 

"Yes; do you want a place?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

[Pg 224]

 

"I hardly think you would be satisfied with the wages we pay, unless you particularly wish to learn our business."

 

"What do you pay, sir?"

 

"Three dollars a week."

 

Three dollars a week! It was certainly better than no income at all, but Jed knew well that it would be impossible to live on this sum, and he had no reserve fund to draw upon.

 

"No," he said, "I am afraid I couldn't get along on that salary."

 

"Are you entirely⁸ dependent on your earnings⁹?" asked the druggist.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Have you parents residing in the city?"

 

"No, sir; I am all alone."

 

"That would be an objection. We prefer to employ those who live at home."

 

"Do most employers require that, sir?"

 

"Many do."

 

Here a customer came in and asked for a bottle of cough medicine, and the druggist turned away to fill the order. Jed walked slowly out of the store.

 

[Pg 225]

 

"I wonder whether there is any work for me anywhere?" he asked himself despondently.

 

Jed continued his walk down Broadway. It was a bright, clear, exhilarating day, and Jed would have enjoyed it thoroughly¹⁰ if he had been better fixed¹¹, but it is hard to keep up the spirits when your pocket is empty.

 

When Jed reached City Hall Park he went in and sat down on one of the benches.

 

One of the boy bootblacks who carry on business in the park came up to him with his box on his shoulder and asked, "Shine your boots?"

 

Jed shook his head.

 

"Not this morning," he replied.

 

"They need it," said the boy.

 

Jed looked at his boots, and was fain to admit that the boy was right. But he was not possessed¹² of the necessary nickel.

 

"Yes, they do need it," he said, "but I haven't money enough to pay you for doing it."

 

"Only five cents."

 

"I haven't five cents. I'm poorer than you[Pg 226] are, my boy," said Jed in a burst of confidence.

 

The boy looked puzzled.

 

"You don't look like it," he said after scrutinizing¹³ Jed's appearance. "How did you come to be so poor?"

 

"Had all my money stolen last night."

 

"How much was there?"

 

"Thirty-five dollars."

 

"Whew!" whistled the bootblack. "That was a haul. Who did it?"

 

"A young man I fell in with. He invited me to share his room. I woke this morning to find that he had stolen all my money."

 

"He was a snide, he was! I'd like to step on his necktie."

 

"I'd like to do something of that sort myself," said Jed with a smile.

 

"Would you know him if you saw him again?"

 

"Yes; I shan't forget him very soon."

 

"When you do see him hand him over to a cop. Just hold out your foot," and the boy got down in a position to black Jed's shoe.

 

[Pg 227]

 

"But I haven't any money. I can't pay you."

 

"I'll do it for nothin', seein' as you're down on your luck. You can pay me some time when times is better."

 

"I am afraid you will have to wait a good while for your money."

 

"Never mind! It won't kill me if I lose it."

 

"You're very kind to a stranger," said Jed, grateful for the boy's friendly proffer¹⁴.

 

"Oh, it ain't nothin'. You look like a good fellow. You'll get a place quicker if your shoes look nice."

 

There was something practical in this suggestion, and Jed accepted the offer without further hesitation¹⁵.

 

The boy exerted himself specially¹⁶, and Jed's dirty shoes soon showed a dazzling polish.

 

"There, you can see your face in 'em!" exclaimed the boy, as he rose from his knees.

 

"Thank you," said Jed. "I see you understand your business. Will you tell me your name?"

 

"Jim Parker."

 

[Pg 228]

 

"Well, Jim, I am much obliged to you. I hope some time I can do you a favor."

 

"Oh, that's all right. So long! I hope you'll get a job." And the independent young bootblack, with his box over his shoulder, walked across the park in search of another job.

 

Somehow Jed was cheered by this act of kindness. He felt a little better satisfied with himself, moreover, when he saw the transformation¹⁷ of his dirty shoes to the polish that marks the gentleman.

 

A man rather shabbily dressed was drawn¹⁸ by this outward sign of affluence¹⁹ to sit down beside him. He took a brief inventory²⁰ of Jed, and then doffing²¹ his hat, said deferentially²², "Young gentleman, I hope you will excuse the liberty I am taking, but I have walked all the way from Buffalo²³, and am reduced almost to my last penny. In fact this nickel," producing one from his pocket, "is all the money I have left. If you will kindly²⁴ loan me a quarter I shall esteem²⁵ it a great favor."

 

Jed felt like laughing. He had not a penny, yet here was a man richer than himself asking for a loan.

 

[Pg 229]

 

"I wish I were able to oblige you," he said, "but you are asking me for more than I possess."

 

The man glanced incredulously at Jed's polished shoes.

 

"You don't look poor," he said, in a tone of sarcasm²⁶.

 

"No, I don't look poor, but you are five cents richer than I."

 

The man shrugged²⁷ his shoulders. He evidently did not believe Jed.

 

"It is quite true," continued Jed, answering the doubt on the man's face. "Last night I was robbed of all the money I had. Had you applied²⁸ to me yesterday I would have granted your request."

 

This frank statement disarmed²⁹ the man's suspicion.

 

"I think your are speaking the truth," he said. "Though there are plenty who pretend to be poor to get rid of giving. Perhaps I shall surprise you when I say that a year ago I should have been able to lend you five thousand dollars, and have as much more left."

 

[Pg 230]

 

"Yes, you do surprise me! How did you lose your money?"

 

"I was a fool—that explains it. I bought mining stocks. I was in San Francisco at the time, and my money melted like snow in the sun. A year since I was worth ten thousand dollars. To-day I am worth a nickel. Do you know what I will do with it?"

 

Jed looked at him inquiringly.

 

"I will buy a glass of beer, and drink to our good luck—yours and mine."

 

"I hope it will bring the good luck," said Jed smiling.

 

"I would offer you a glass too, if I had another nickel."

 

"Thank you, but I never drink beer. I thank you all the same."

 

His companion rose and left the park, probably in search of a beer saloon. Jed got up, too, and took another walk. By half-past twelve he felt decidedly hungry. His breakfast had lasted him till then, but he was young and healthy, and craved³⁰ three meals a day.

 

"How shall I manage to get dinner?" thought Jed seriously.

 

[Pg 231]

 

He paused in front of the Astor House, which he knew to be a hotel, and saw business men entering in quest of their midday lunch.

 

It was tantalizing³¹. There was plenty of food inside, but he lacked the wherewithal to purchase a portion.

 

"Why, Jed, how are you?" came unexpectedly to his ears.

 

He looked up and saw a brown-bearded, pleasant-faced man, whom he recognized as a fellow-guest at the Spray Hotel at Sea Spray.

 

"When did you leave Sea Spray?" asked his friend.

 

"Only yesterday."

 

"Going to stay in the city?"

 

"Yes, if I can get anything to do."

 

"Have you been to lunch?"

 

"Not yet."

 

"Come in and lunch with me, then. I think we can find something inviting³² at the Astor."

 

"Saved!" thought Jed, as he gladly passed into the famous hostelry with his friend. "I wonder if he has any idea how glad I am to accept his invitation?"

1 instinctively   

adv.本能地

参考例句：

• As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近，她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 pauper   

n.贫民，被救济者，穷人

参考例句：

• You lived like a pauper when you had plenty of money.你有大把钱的时候，也活得像个乞丐。
• If you work conscientiously you'll only die a pauper.你按部就班地干，做到老也是穷死。

3 inmate   

n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人

参考例句：

• I am an inmate of that hospital.我住在那家医院。
• The prisoner is his inmate.那个囚犯和他同住一起。

4 despondently   

adv.沮丧地，意志消沉地

参考例句：

• It had come to that, he reflected despondently. 事情已经到了这个地步了，他沉思着，感到心灰意懒。 来自辞典例句
• He shook his head despondently. 他沮丧地摇摇头。 来自辞典例句

5 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。

6 kindling   

n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• There were neat piles of kindling wood against the wall. 墙边整齐地放着几堆引火柴。
• "Coal and kindling all in the shed in the backyard." “煤，劈柴，都在后院小屋里。” 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子

7 proprietor   

n.所有人；业主；经营者

参考例句：

• The proprietor was an old acquaintance of his.业主是他的一位旧相识。
• The proprietor of the corner grocery was a strange thing in my life.拐角杂货店店主是我生活中的一个怪物。

8 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

9 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

10 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

11 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

12 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

13 scrutinizing   

v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• His grandfather's stern eyes were scrutinizing him, and Chueh-hui felt his face reddening. 祖父的严厉的眼光射在他的脸上。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• The machine hushed, extraction and injection nozzles poised, scrutinizing its targets. 机器“嘘”地一声静了下来，输入输出管道各就各位，检查着它的目标。 来自互联网

14 proffer   

v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议

参考例句：

• He rose and proffered a silver box full of cigarettes.他站起身，伸手递过一个装满香烟的银盒子。
• I proffer to lend him one.我表示愿意借他一个。

15 hesitation   

n.犹豫，踌躇

参考例句：

• After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
• There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。

16 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

17 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

18 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

19 affluence   

n.充裕，富足

参考例句：

• Their affluence is more apparent than real.他们的富有是虚有其表。
• There is a lot of affluence in this part of the state because it has many businesses.这个州的这一部分相当富有，因为它有很多商行。

20 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

21 doffing   

n.下筒，落纱v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The sige of the package in use determines the frequency of doffing. 所用卷装的尺寸决定了落纱的次数。 来自辞典例句
• Obstruction in the movement of Aprons during doffing in modern cards. 新型梳棉机在落卷时皮板输送带（或皮圈，围裙）运行受阻。 来自互联网

22 deferentially   

adv.表示敬意地，谦恭地

参考例句：

• "Now, let me see,'said Hurstwood, looking over Carrie's shoulder very deferentially. “来，让我瞧瞧你的牌。”赫斯渥说着，彬彬有礼地从嘉莉背后看过去。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• He always acts so deferentially around his supervisor. 他总是毕恭毕敬地围着他的上司转。 来自互联网

23 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

24 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

25 esteem   

n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• The veteran worker ranks high in public love and esteem.那位老工人深受大伙的爱戴。

26 sarcasm   

n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic）

参考例句：

• His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
• She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。

27 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

28 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

29 disarmed   

v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒

参考例句：

• Most of the rebels were captured and disarmed. 大部分叛乱分子被俘获并解除了武装。
• The swordsman disarmed his opponent and ran him through. 剑客缴了对手的械，并对其乱刺一气。 来自《简明英汉词典》

30 craved   

渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求

参考例句：

• She has always craved excitement. 她总渴望刺激。
• A spicy, sharp-tasting radish was exactly what her stomach craved. 她正馋着想吃一个香甜可口的红萝卜呢。

31 tantalizing   

adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This was my first tantalizing glimpse of the islands. 这是我第一眼看见的这些岛屿的动人美景。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We have only vague and tantalizing glimpses of his power. 我们只能隐隐约约地领略他的威力，的确有一种可望不可及的感觉。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史

32 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。