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〃I am the boots； sir。〃
The purse came out once more； and a shilling was deposited in the
servant's hand。
〃What do I owe you？〃 he inquired of the second。
〃I took your honor's letter to the post； yesterday； sir。〃
Another shilling left the purse。
〃In the name of the Lord； what am I indebted to you for？〃 demanded
Jerome； now entirely out of patience； turning to the last of the trio。
〃I told yer vership vot time it vas； this morning。〃
〃Well！〃 exclaimed the indignant man； 〃ask here who o'clock it is； and
you have got to pay for it。〃
He paid this last demand with a sixpence； regretting that he had not
commenced with sixpences instead of half…crowns。
Having cleared off all demands in the house； he started for the railway
station； but had scarcely reached the street； before he was accosted by an
old man with a broom in his hand； who； with an exceedingly low bow；
said；
〃I is here； yer lordship。〃
〃I did not send for you； what is your business？〃 demanded Jerome。
〃I is the man what opened your lordship's cab…door； when your
lordship came to the house on Monday last； and I know your honor won't
allow a poor man to starve。〃
Putting a sixpence in the old man's hand； Jerome once more started for
the depot。 Having obtained letters of introduction to persons in
Manchester； he found no difficulty in getting a situation in a large
manufacturing house there。 Although the salary was small； yet the
situation was a much better one than he had hoped to obtain。 His
compensation as out…door clerk enabled him to employ a man to teach him
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at night； and； by continued study and attention to business； he was soon
promoted。
After three years in his new home； Jerome was placed in a still higher
position； where his salary amounted to fifteen hundred dollars a year。 The
drinking； smoking； and other expensive habits； which the clerks usually
indulged in； he carefully avoided。
Being fond of poetry； he turned his attention to literature。 Johnson's
〃Lives of the Poets；〃 the writings of Dryden； Addison； Pope； Clarendon；
and other authors of celebrity； he read with attention。 The knowledge
which he thus picked up during his leisure hours gave him a great
advantage over the other clerks； and caused his employers to respect him
far more than any other in their establishment。 So eager was he to improve
the time that he determined to see how much he could read during the
unemployed time of night and morning； and his success was beyond his
expectations。
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CHAPTER XXX
NEW FRIENDS
BROKEN down in health； after ten years of close confinement in his
situation； Jerome resolved to give it up； and thereby release himself from
an employment which seemed calculated to send him to a premature
grave。
It was on a beautiful morning in summer that he started for Scotland；
having made up his mind to travel for his health。 After visiting Edinburgh
and Glasgow； he concluded to spend a few days in the old town of Perth；
with a friend whose acquaintance he had made in Manchester。 During
the second day of his stay in Perth； while crossing the main street； Jerome
saw a pony…chaise coming toward him with great speed。 A lady； who
appeared to be the only occupant of the vehicle； was using her utmost
strength to stop the frightened horses。 The footman； in his fright； had
leaped from behind the carriage； and was following with the crowd。
With that self…forgetfulness which was one of his chief characteristics；
Jerome threw himself before the horses to stop them； and； seizing the
high…spirited animals by the bit； as they dashed by him； he was dragged
several rods before their speed was checked； which was not accomplished
until one of the horses had fallen to the ground； with the heroic man
struggling beneath him。
All present were satisfied that this daring act alone had saved the
lady's life； for the chaise must inevitably have been dashed in pieces； had
the horses not been thus suddenly checked in their mad career。
On the morning following this perilous adventure； Col。 G called at
Jerome's temporary residence； and； after expressing his admiration for his
noble daring； and thanking him for having saved his daughter's life；
invited him to visit him at his country residence。 This invitation was
promptly accepted in the spirit in which it was given； and three days after；
Jerome found himself at the princely residence of the father of the lady for
whose safety he had risked his own life。 The house was surrounded by fine
trees； and a sweet little stream ran murmuring at the foot； while beds of
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flowers on every hand shed their odors on the summer air。 It was； indeed；
a pleasant place to spend the warm weather； and the colonel and his family
gave Jerome a most cordial welcome。 Miss G。 showed especial attention to
the stranger。 He had not intended remaining longer than the following day：
but the family insisted on his taking part in a fox…hunt that was to come off
on the morning of the third day。 Wishing to witness a scene as interesting
as the chase usually proves to be； he decided to remain。
Fifteen persons； five of whom were ladies； were on the ground at the
appointed hour。 Miss G。 was； of course； one of the party。 In vain Jerome
endeavored to excuse himself from joining in the chase。 His plea of ill…
health was only met by smiles from the young ladies； and the reply that a
ride would effect a cure。
Dressed in a scarlet coat and high boots； with the low； round cap worn
in the chase； Jerome mounted a high…spirited horse； whip in hand； and
made himself one of the party。 In America； riding is a necessity； in
England； it is a pleasure。 Young men and women attend riding…school in
our fatherland； and consider that they are studying a sc