Author: Horatio Alger, Jr

Publisher:

Published: 2021-02-21

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13:

Mr. Fogson was about as unpleasant-looking as his wife, but was not so thin. He had stiff red hairwith a tendency to stand up straight, a blotched complexion, and red eyes, corresponding very wellwith the color of his hair. He was quite as cross as his wife, but she was more venomous andmalicious. Like her he was disposed to fawn upon Squire Dixon, the Overseer of the Poor, withwhom he knew it was necessary to stand well.Had Jed come alone he might have met with a disagreeable reception; but Mr. Fogson's quick eyerecognized in his companion the son of the poorhouse autocrat, Squire Dixon, and he summonedup an ingratiating smile on his rugged features."How are you, Master Percy?" he said smoothly. "Did your pa come with you?""Yes, he's over to the house. Mrs. Fogson wants you to go right home, as he may want to see you.""All right! It will give me pleasure. It always does me good to see your pa."Percy looked at him critically, and thought that Mr. Fogson was about as homely a man as he hadever seen. It was fortunate that the keeper of the poorhouse could not read his thoughts, for, likemost ugly men, Mr. Fogson thought himself on the whole rather prepossessing.Fogson took his place beside Percy, and curtly desired Jed to walk behind.Jed smiled to himself, for he understood that Mr. Fogson considered him not entitled to a place insuch superior company.Mr. Fogson addressed several questions to Percy, which the latter answered languidly, as if heconsidered it rather a bore to be entertained by a man in Fogson's position. Indeed he almostsnubbed him, and Jed was pleased to find the man who made so many unpleasant speeches toothers treated in the same manner himself. As a general thing, a man who bullies others has to takehis turn in being bullied himself.