Jem and the Golden Reward

CHAPTER 1

September Storm

Jeremiah!

Jem sucked in his breath. Mama meant business when she used his full first name.

Jeremiah Isaiah Coulter!

Roasted rattlesnakes!

Did Mama have to shout Jem’s whole, entire name so it was heard by every miner along Cripple Creek?

He looked around.

Half a dozen miners were lined up on their gold claims.

They didn’t pay any attention to Mama’s shouts. They were too busy panning for gold.

A sudden rainstorm had filled the creek overnight. Everybody was surprised.

Especially Jem. It never rained in September.

Well, almost never.

Last night’s thunderstorm had dumped buckets of rain. The muddy trickle had turned into a rushing creek.

Quick as a wink, Jem had grabbed his gold pan this morning and headed for the creek. He didn’t even eat breakfast.

A gold miner never knew how long the water would flow this time of year.

Jeremiah Isai—

Coming, Mama! Jem hollered.

What was the big hurry?

Lumpy breakfast mush—even soaked in molasses—was nothing to get in a hurry about.

Jem dumped the sand, gravel, and water from his gold pan. He rubbed the mud off his pants.

Then he ran back to the tent on his family’s gold claim.

The creek is full, Mama, Jem said, out of breath. I have to eat fast and get back to—

He stopped short.

His little sister, Ellie, sat on the split-log bench at the outdoor table.

She was dressed in her best dress—the one with the colored apron that she always wore to Sunday school.

Only, today was not Sunday.

Sit down and eat your breakfast, Mama said.

She plunked a bowl of steaming hot cereal down at Jem’s place.

Jem sat. He and Ellie looked at each other.

Why are you dressed up for Sunday school? he asked.

For once, chatterbox Ellie didn’t answer.

Instead, she spooned another bite of mush into her mouth and didn’t say a word.

But her hand was shaking. She looked scared.

For goodness’ sake, Jem. Mama put her hands on her hips. Today must have flown right out of your head.

Jem’s eyebrows shot up. What do you mean, Mama?

No gold panning today. You need to eat quick and change into clean clothes for school.

School! Jem groaned, but only to himself.

Mama was right. The first day of school had flown out of Jem’s head as soon as he saw Cripple