The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-09
TAE DAILY DiSPATCH
AS A. CowARDIN. Proprietor.
HUGH R. PLEASANTS, Editor.
JOE MILLER.

.rbten llem q little on the subject Joe was
cow, st ~ profession, and worked for the
..a,.rs IN the English Inns of Courts, and
:. a.u,.sNsd IN the reign of Queea Aune-if a
fs-r subsistence earned by ms horse like la
h. ?. ma, be termed tlourshing, for he had to
yg,k never less than sixteen out OF twenty four
sours, luslto supply the wants OF nature, and
,pu grrrsithai 10 pay for lodging in a
r.f9u house, where he had TO share with
.F-ep oiher Young men. Joe was u kind
.earrcd and simpie-minded man, who had nev.
ryl,rn suspsctet, even by his best trie nds, OF
hayiaE had second idea IN ms head; and from
Ai. extreme good nature had become butt a,
which one aud ali were constantly throwing
.hr.T shafts O; successful ridieule. But, as we
nave already said, his perception of the ridicu.
ious vas ot 100 ohtuse a nature for him TO have
imagined for Il single moment that he himself
.as the OH CT Of their ridlcuIe.
Mas. were the practical Jokes PLAYED off
,.nar Moor Joe He was in the habit of taking
his daily meal, which invariably consisted of a
1wopeuny leaf, slice of single Glos,er cheese,
sometimes garnished with an onion, and halt
nint Of porter. at Il house in Shire Lane, near
TPmple Bar. This house was, and had been
from time immemorial the resort of the wit Of
the dav 10 the early part of the last century,
These ruvs,ers had long made it their practice
10 heset poor Miller, but such was his imper-
;urhahle InmobIlity, that he bore all and every
mp,ytinence with perfect good humor. This
singular forbearance ELECTED tneir admiration;
and uqIines were set on foot to ascertain
y no ans what his employment was. His roa-
tue oi lie had not varied for several years.
His person was meagTe, his dress always thread
bare, hung loosely upon his attenuated frame;
vel Joe who was never known to borrow a
shilling. but to have often lent one. The re-
suit uf the inquiries set on foot concerning
joe were every way quite satisfactory. They
a,ceftained that he had, together with his pa
rents, who were from the northern counties,
cume 10 London when Joe was about seven
,ears age. Things had taken an adverse
,arn; they came 10 poverty and sickness, and
81 last died, leaving poor Joe entirely destitute,
But the kind-hearted neighbors looked to the
poor Roy, and, as far as in their power lay,
itG aBd clothed him, IN return for which he was
~lihng at all times to do their errands, and a
thousand little services for which he was emf
E.,uty fitted, being Kind as love itself in bis
nature.
Ia this shi.tiess kind Of manner the poor
'=iow iiVed until he was near sixteen-sIim
3 hurdle and tall a Maypole. lie found
hat he must do something else for q liveli-
aoOd, fJr that his friends began TO slack off in
f1eT willingness to serve him, now that nature
lad transformed him into Il man. Joe had
c0GlHVHd among his associates to pick up "a
mall knowledge Of writing and reading,
nth smatiering Of arithmetic. An old
.euDdress, who had been one of Joe's best
;;,ands, got him into a lawyers office, to try
10 do some copying, He soon became ex-
pert, and for long time worked early and
t4,e, bat so mean was the remuneration. be
could hardly make salt for his porridge.-
Having thus assured themselves by the result
OF their inquiries OF Joe's worth, they deter
mined to assist him by raising small annuity
lor him, and the means employed were as
-clows: They formed themselves into sort
u literary club, each member binding himself
10 contribute. periodically, a Iaughable tale or
lest, Of which Joe was 10 be the reputed faith
eT. They soon succeeded in producing
good sized volume il was entitled "Rich and
Racy Jests, by Joseph Miller, Esq, of the
Inner Temple, London" 1t run through
three editions the fret year, and the profits
amply sufficient TO enable his patrons TO
allow him the very comfortable sum of
guinea per week. Joe, on IFS being presented
- him the first week, and told what had been
done tJr him. was as grateful as his nature
permitted him to be; but he, Or becoming
thus independent, made little or no change
= bis mode Of lie. He was certainly a trihe
1ore respectable in the way OF apparel, and
occasionally Indulged in meat dinner, and
iajs was the only apparent innovation OF his
economical expenditure. He soon saved
enough TO start book store, and after time
-efaine publisher; and, singular TO tell, ne
Ultimately was the publisher of The Rich and
&ary Jests Of Joseph Miller, Esq"
Thus did those mad wags in those days in
4alge IN spirit of mischief, that redounded,
y lBe cad, TO their honor and personal benefit,
many IF them afterW ards experienced, and
-lissd friend IN Joe for their own day OF need,
or The gratrf1t Joe's house and purse taf er be
oeeame wealthy was always in the service Of
-.ose Of his early patrons who had performed
'1e par; Of the good Samaritan TO himself.-
Aad, as the sequel shows, Joe actually proved
ia,self aH Of the first water. for he secured
. hlmseIf fortune, while mauy u his bright
I'D Intelligent friends had beea dissipatins
hens. @