The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-08-26
BY
CLIFFORD S.
RAYMOND
1t
illustrated by
IRWIN MYERS

first whether she wants FOUR help and
your asking. That's my advice, young
fellow. And While we're asking. how
did YOU get out Of your room? You're
not supposed to he out. We don't want
people in this house running around
the halls at this time of night"
II opened the door and came out.
Why shouldn't I come out. l heard q
scream and came"
He looked at me as if he were doubt
ing himself. I think he was uncertain
whether he had thrown the bolt or not.
1t TRANSFERRED later that I was right,
but for the time l was worried.
When / went back to my room. 1 was
restless, as naturally would be, a
stranger in so strange Il house. 1t was
impossible to sleep and difficult to
read. ] sat by the window and alter
nately doZeo and read until day broke
and the woodthrush began to sing.
Then, quieted. I went to bed and had
two hours sleep.
I thought It wise to speak to Mrs.
Sidney about the incident of the night.
She had seen me, she knew l had talked
to Jed. she might or might not know
that l recognized her. I might add t
her perpleXitieS by speaking to her,
but l might obtain an insight into mat
tiers which would enable me to act
discreetly and uSefully. If l remained
ignorant OF motives prevailing in the
house, l might at any time hlunder
into a serious mistake. 1t seemed best
to speak to Mrs. Sidney.
could see when l spoke to her. she
had been greatly disturbed, but she
was Roman.
1T was nothing serious or important,
doctor" she said. It'll not say that it
was pleasant or that I liked it, but 1t
had no significance. Jed is a faithful
and invaluable servant. He has a vice
for which he Is not responsible. He
was a perfectly sober man when he
came to us. and if he isn't How, it is
our own fault. My husband corrupted
him without intending to do so. My
husband, when he was we'll and strong,
loved to drink wine. He drank it in
great quantities and without any dis
turbance Of his sobricty or good ma
ture. 1t mellowed aad at the time in
tensitied life for him. He cannot use
1t now. on account of his health, but
he enjoys seeing the use of 1t, and
Jed has been made the victim Of Mr..
Sidney's vicarious enjoyment. Jed is
not always considerable of his position
when he is not sober, but he never is
dangerous, not even when. like last
night. he is exceedingly annoying"
I admired the lady's resolution and
fortitude, but I did not think she was
telling the truth-not all of it.
THAT was the first time anything
of the kind ever occurred" she said.
II air sorry it disturbed you. l met
Jed in the hall. He was not sober, and
he had a preposterous request to make.
When he has spent such an evening
with Mr.. Sidney, he resents being a
servant in the family. He wants to
be accepted as Il member of the fam
ily."
II have had something to do with
that" / suggested.
"No douDt it has infamed his ego
tism to have you enter the family. The
situation with him is difficult. His
pride was hurting him last night. He
had lost all sense Of proportion. He
was like a child. He demonstrated with
me: he was too important as MI. Sid
ney's crony to be merely our servant!
It was only a drunken mood, but he
forgot himself and grasped me by the
wrist. l had been trying to control
him and restore his common sense.
Then l became indignant, aad you
heard my voice. / am afraid it was
shrill, but l vas not alarmed. l was
merely indignant"
"You speak of Jed, Mrs. Sidney" I
said, "as if he were merely an annoy
ing alcoholic, tolerated when he is an
noying, because of his general useful
ness but that does not explain why he
tries to lock me in my room while he
Is sober and before these disturbances
begin. That shows design and intent
to have n free hand when he makes
the disturbance. I do not like being
locked in my ROOM"
ut is outrageous" said the lady ner-
vOusly. II did not know that it was
done. l shall see that it is not re-
peated.".
X am not so sure you can," I said.
land l wish you would not try. l have
protected myself against it, and I'd
rather jed did no give me any more
thought than he thinks is necessary
now
II am sure, DOCTOR" said Mrs. Sid
ney, that you will understand Jed and
the situation better when you have
been here longer. 1t may be annoying
TO you now, but we all here live for
the pleasure and comfort of Mr.. Sid.
ney, who is worthy of all we can do
for him. He did everything he could
for us while he was active, and II
thoughts would benefit us, he would
be working for US now"
Mrs. Sidney was determined to pro
tect the secret of the situation, and !
had no right to cross examine her. The
next time ! went to town I bought my