Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-11-19


little thing served to cement this friend
ship which gave to each companion who
did not mortify him; and they became in
separable, Joe taking kah to the little
shed where he spent his nights, and max
ing him an equal partner in business dur
Ing the day.
The next time Joe came to be set up he
gave Mr.. Wise knowing wink. aud said
mysteriously. Don't go suyin' no bres'-
pin to war to de weddin Mas Tom
Why not, Joc?'
Cos amt no use in two bres'pins, an,
dar amt no telling what mont happen fore
dat wcddin come off,
Mr.. Wise laughed. but he had no pre-
monition that Joe bad entered into a sue
ccssiul negotiation for the grocer's execra-
BILE crescent. and the shock was therefore
unbroken when on the evening of the mar
riage Joe entered his dressiug-room and
presented it to him with an ayr OF pride so
pitiful that it would have made woman
cry.
Tom was fully as much surprised as Joe
had anticipated, aud affected to be as
greatly delighted; and when he had COM
Pleted his toilet of fIultlessly quiet tone he
pinned the horrible thing in his shirt-bos-
ON, and thanked Little Joe for the gift
with all the gracious courtesy OF his fine
nature
Mr.. Wise was to stand with friend of
bis sisters who was guest in the house,
aud, as they fanced themselves very much
In love with each other, they had agreed
to meet in the parlor an hour before that
appointed for the ceremony, that they
might enjoy quiet fete-d-te,e before the
assembling ot the guests. Having finished
his toilet, he accordingly went down, and
was soon joined by the lady.
They promenaded up and down the par.
lors, and again aud again her eyes rested
curinusly on the pin, but she made no allu-
sion 10 1t till her feelings had become en-
tlrely irrepressiblc, when she Interrupted
him in the middle of sentence to inquire
what on earth it was, and where he got it,
aud why he wore 1t.
Then he sat down by her side, with lace
curtains shimmering in the twilight, and
long mirrors rejecting alabaster vases and
Oil paintings, and the air heavy with the
perfume of flowers, and told her about
Little Joe-of his shapeless feet and for
lorn life, his empty pocket and grateful
heart. And she agreed that it must be
tn, h. t.r,
all that, and OF course he ought to be
grateful. but really she thought Mr.. Wise
rather morbid in his philanthropy when he
could weaf that brass moon before five
hundred people only tn nleasa little Le-
formed negro.
Perhaps you do not understand said
Tom gently, that have given Joe per-
mission TO witness the ceremony. Il be-
lieve told you that he was the personal
property OF my mother, and favorite
with herr and he will certainly know
whether wear this pin that he has work
ed for, and gone in debt for, and probably
starved himself for. viii there be any one
here-save yourself-whosc laugh dread
appoint him.:
1t will make Us both ridiculous,' said
she haughtily.
Tom quietly unfastened the pin. and
placed 1t in his vest pocket, and with II
disappeared Miss Annan's prospect OF be-
coming Mrs. Wise, enviablc as she deem
ell the position.
i have no right to include you in my
sacrifice, If sacrifice there be- said he with
grave courtesy. and referred no more to
the matter, but as soon as he could leave
her he sought his sister, and reque sted
that the honor of standing with Miss An
nan might be conferred on Mr.. Marshall,
and himself allowed to take Mr. Mar.hall's
partner, she being little girl on whose
pluck and good nature he could alike RELY
His sister had no time to enter into par
ticulars, but made the desired change. aud
Mr.. Wise said to Miss Amman, Il could not
sacrifice Joe, Miss Emily. could not sac
riiice you, so have sacrificed myself and
am volunteer in the noble army Of mar
tyrs.
When, however. as the bridal cortege
passed through the hall, he saw Joe
nudge fellow servant with his elbow.
and point out the pin, he felt repaid,
though Miss Amman was holding her head
very high indeed
The next morning Little Joe came by the
office: What did de folks say bout yo'
brespin, Mas Tom:'
Say? Why they did not know what to
say. Joe. They could not take their eyes
of me. That pin knocked the black out
of everything there. The bridegroom
couldn't hold = candle to me- said Mr..
Wise; and Joe laughed aloud with delight
Did they give you your supper?'
Did dat, Mas Tom an | TUX home a
snow ball an orange to Kiah,' said Lit
tie Joe.
Late on the evening OF the same day Mr..
Wise was about leaving his office when
Little Joe's crutches sounded in the door
way, and Little Joe himself appeared, sob
bing bitterly, tears streaming down his
face: oh, Lordy, Mas Tom. oh, Lordy?'
What is the matter Joe?'
oh, Lordy, Mas Tom. Kiah's done
dead,'
'Kiah! Is it possible? What was the
matterg asked Mr.. Wise.
oh, LOrdy. oh, Lordy! sobbed little
Joe.
Me an him went down to the creek,
an was playin' babtizn an I'd done bap-
tized Kiah, an'-oh, Lordy! Lordy land
kiah was jes' gwine to baptize me, an he
stepped out too fur, an his legs was so
short he lost his holt on me an drowned;
an l couldn't ketch him cos l couldn't
STAN up widoo nothin' to hold on to. Oh,
Lordy wish l nuvur had ha' heard o.
baptizin'! couldn't get him out, an jes
KEEP on a-hollerin', but nobody didn't
come till Kiah was drowned