The Torch And Other Tales

ewas and could turn his skill in many directions. And he'd do odd jobs forthe neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children. He livedalone and looked after himself, for he could cook and sew like a woman--atleast like the clever ones. In fact there didn't seem nothing he couldn'tdo. And his knowledge extended above crafts, for he'd got a bit oflearning also and he'd talk with Johns at the shop-of-all-sorts aboutbusiness, or with Samual Mutters, the chemist, about patent medicines, orwith butcher or baker concerning their jobs, or with policemen aboutcrime, and be worth attending to on any subject.His pleasure, however, was sporting, and not until he'd dwelt among us agood bit did a measure of doubt in that matter creep into our praise ofthe man.Round about fifty he might have been--a clean-shaved, active chap, fivefeet three inches high, and always bursting with energy. He had grizzledhair and a blue chin and eyes so bright and black as shoe-buttons. A hardmouth and lips always pursed up over his yellow teeth; but though itlooked a cruel sort of mouth, nought cruel ever came out of it save in thematter of politics. He was a red radical and didn't go to church, yetagainst that you could set his all-round good-will and friendship and hisuncommon knack of lending a hand to anybody in his power to serve. But hewas up against the Government, and would talk so fierce of a nightsometimes at the 'Barley Sheaf' that Ned Chown, the landlord, who was atrue blue, didn't think so well on Mr. Pegram as the most of us. Friendshe made, but hadn't much use for the women, though he declared himself asnot against them. He was a bachelor-minded man by nature, and yet, whatain't so common in that sort, he liked childer and often had a halfpennyin his pocket for one of his pets.Mrs. Ford, however, he regarded as a great and trustworthy friend, and herhusband also, for, from the time he lodged with them, they all agreeduncommon well, and Joseph Ford, the policeman, was high in his praises ofTeddy from the first. He happened to be a very radical thinker himself,did Joseph, but, as became his calling, put law and order first; and youfelt that the newcomer agreed on that matter and didn't want to doanything contrary to the constitution, but just advance the welfare --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.