Part 7 (1/2)
There'll be a nice little story fer the gossips before long, ha, ha.”
At these words Jasper started, while his face went white and his hands clenched together. He had listened in silence to Jim's tirade, and was only waiting an opportunity to explain how the old man and the girl happened to be at his place. But this pointed reference to him was more than he could endure.
”What do you mean by that statement?” he asked, taking a quick step forward. ”Please explain yourself.”
”There's nothin' to explain,” and Jim gave a coa.r.s.e laugh. ”The neighbours will do all the explainin' that is necessary.”
”No, that's not the thing. You made an insinuation, and it's up to you to explain before you leave. I have nothing to do with the neighbours; it's you I am dealing with now. Yon have insulted this feeble old man, and uttered words in reference to me and this girl. I want to know what you mean.”
”I don't have to explain anything,” Jim retorted. ”You mind yer own business, and go to ----”
The oath had hardly left his lips ere Jasper with one lightning blow hit him squarely between the eyes. Jim reeled back, and then with a frightful oath leaped forward. But he was powerless before Jasper's superior training and soon he was sprawling upon the ground while his opponent stood bending over him.
”Had enough, eh?” Jasper asked. ”If you want some more, get up. I haven't had half enough yet.”
”Leave me alone,” Jim mumbled. ”You'll pay up for this. I'll fix ye.”
”What's that you say?” and Jasper stooped lower, ”You're going to pay me back? Well, then, I might as well fix you now, so you won't be able to do anything in the future. I might as well have my satisfaction when I can get it. So get up, or I'll knock the life out of your measley carca.s.s.”
Seeing that Jasper was in earnest, Jim scrambled to his feet and barely dodged the blow rained at his head.
”Fer G.o.d's sake, stop!” he yelled. ”I won't do anything to ye. I promise on me word of honour.”
”And, you'll be good to this old man?” Jasper demanded.
”Yes, yes,” and Jim trembled in every limb. ”I'll be good to him if ye don't hit me agin.”
For a few seconds Jasper looked contemptuously upon the creature cowering before film. He felt that he was lying, and just as soon as he was out of his sight he would treat old David in a shameful manner, and he himself would be helpless to interfere. What could he do? he asked himself. A sudden idea came into his mind.
”What do you get for the keep of this old man?” he asked.
”Only a hundred,” was the surly reply. ”Not half enough.”
”Well, look here, will you give him to me? I will take care of him for nothing.”
Into Jim Goban's eyes came a look of surprise mingled with doubt. The man must surely be making sport of him, he thought. Then his natural cupidity overcame him. Here was a chance to get clear of the pauper and at the same time receive money for his keep. But how would the overseers of the poor regard such a transaction?
”Will you let me have him?” Jasper again asked.
”Give me twenty-five dollars and he is yours,” Jim replied.
”Twenty-five dollars! No, not a cent. You will make out of it as it is; far more than you deserve.”
”I can't do it, then,” and Jim made as though to go. ”Come on,” he ordered David and Betty. ”Let's git away from here.”
”Hold on,” and Jasper stepped, up close to him; ”if you do not let me have the old man, I'll lay a charge against you for ill treating him, I saw enough this morning to satisfy any one. Let me have him, and you need have no more worry. Refuse, and you will regret it.”
”But what will the overseers say if I give him up?” Jim whined.
”Oh, that can be easily settled. If they make a fuss, send them to me.
But I guess they won't bother their heads.”