Jibby Jones · Chapter
XIX: The Tough Customer Appears explained
The boys find an 1804 dollar in the dry well of the old Murrell farmhouse.
What happens
The boys find an 1804 dollar in the dry well of the old Murrell farmhouse. Jibby Jones explains his theory that the treasure is buried at the foot of a signal pine tree, using imagination to deduce its location. The boys argue about the value of imagination, but Jibby convinces them it is essential for progress. Wampus takes the dollar home to brighten it, but the Tough Customer, a one-legged man claiming to be the hired girl's cousin, steals it. The chapter ends with the loss of the valuable coin.
Themes in this chapter
Imagination and Ingenuity
Jibby argues that imagination is the foundation of all invention and progress, using examples like the wagon, airplane, and phonograph. He applies this to deduce the treasure's location.
Deception and Trust
The Tough Customer deceives the Smale family by claiming to be the hired girl's cousin, then steals the 1804 dollar. The boys are warned not to trust outsiders with their secret.
Adventure and Exploration
The boys' treasure hunt at the old Murrell farmhouse and their plans to dig for the hidden treasure embody the spirit of adventure.
Characters to notice
- Jibby Jones
Explains his imaginative method for locating the treasure, arguing that imagination is key to progress. He deduces the treasure is buried at the foot of a signal pine tree.
- Wampus Smale
Takes the 1804 dollar home to brighten it. He tells his parents about the treasure but does not reveal the location. The Tough Customer steals the dollar from him.
- Skippy Root
Initially argues against the value of imagination, but later admits Jibby's reasoning is sound.
- Tad Willing
Questions Jibby about his imaginative method and eventually agrees that imagination leads to invention.
- The Tough Customer
Appears as a one-legged man claiming to be the hired girl's cousin. He steals the 1804 dollar from Wampus.
- Rover
Mentioned as the dog that howled to reveal intruders earlier; not directly present in this chapter.
Key passages
“I leaned up against that old pine tree and I tried to imagine I was old John A. Murrell, the land pirate. That’s what you have to do if you want to get anywhere in this world—you’ve got to imagine things.”
Jibby explains that he put himself in the land pirate's shoes by imagining what Murrell would do, emphasizing that imagination is essential for success.
Jibby defends the power of imagination as a practical tool for problem-solving.
“I always thought that nobody ever really did anything worth while until he had imagined something about it.”
Jibby argues that every worthwhile achievement begins with an imaginative idea, using inventions like the wagon and airplane as examples.
Jibby counters the boys' skepticism about imagination.
“I think he is a tough customer, judging by his looks. He has a bad eye. If he had two eyes, I would say he had two bad eyes, but the one eye he has is bad enough to satisfy anyone.”
Wampus's father describes the one-legged man as having a threatening appearance, calling him a 'tough customer' with a single bad eye.
The Tough Customer is introduced and characterized as untrustworthy.