A few days later Percy Dixon received the following letter:
My Dear and Considerate Friend Percy:
Mr. Roper has asked me to answer your kind letter. He appreciates your interest in him, but he doesn't seem to think that my company will injure him as much as you imagine. He thinks I shall enjoy myself better with him than in the company of Mr. and Mrs. Fogson, and therefore won't send me away. We are staying at the Newport House, and enjoying ourselves very much. If you come down this way call on us, and I will give you a good dinner. Tell Mr. and Mrs. Fogson not to worry about me, as I am well and happy.
Yours truly,
Jed Gilman.
"I never saw such cheek!" said Percy in mortified anger as he tore Jed's letter to pieces. "It is strange how that young pauper prospers. But it won't always last!" and this reflection afforded him some satisfaction.
CHAPTER XXXIII. THE POORHOUSE RECEIVES TWO VISITORS.
Let us change the scene to the Scranton poorhouse. Mr. Fogson has just come in from splitting wood. It was a task to which he was very much averse, but he had not been able to find any one to fill Jed's place.
"Drat that boy!" he said, as he sank into a chair.
"What boy?"
"Jed Gilman. He ought to be here at work instead of roaming round doing no good to himself or anybody else."