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

Will "a HctIt oI the same OTuer. WAS stand
Ing at the corner talking to friend. He
held cigar 10 his mouth with his left
hand, and with his right had just struck
match against the lamp-post when at-or
under-his elbow voice exclaimed cheer
lily, Busted agin, Mas Tom.
Tom threw a glance over his shoulder,
and there stood Little joe small miss
hapen negro abost fileen years Old, with
crutches under his arm, amt feet all twist
ed out of shape, his toes barely touching
the ground as he hoped along, He had on
an old straw hat With only a hint OF brim.
There must be some law of cohesive attrac-
ton between straw and wool, for Little
Joc's Uranium was large, while the hat
was small, and set back much nearer the
nape of his neck than the crown OF his
head, yet held its place like natural eN-
cresrcnce or horrible hnrn- .Inr hal met
with very few people mean enough TO
laugh at him; for though he possessed all
the brightness and cheerfulness and pluck
Of deformed people generally, there Was u
wlstful look about his eyes which his want
OF height and position on crutches intensi-
lied (iudeed perhaps created). by keeping
them upturned while talking with any one
taller than himself; and this was generally
the ease for there was no grown people so
small a. Little Joe. His shirt was torn and
his pantaloons ragged, but TO gid these
faded glories he wore swallow tailed
coat with brass buttons which some one
had given him, whether from sense of
humor or a sentiment OF charity, let the
gods decide.
Busted agin, Mas Tom,'
What busted you this time, Joel' ask
ed MIR. Wise.
Lumber, Mas Tom, / was in de lumber
bizniss las week, buying ole shingles an
selling 'em for kindin'; but my pardner,
he make a run on de bank-leas' ways on
my breeches pocket-an' den Iunned away
hiss'f Amt you gwine to sot me up agin,
Mas Tom!'
What business are you going in this
week.
'Freckshmerry,' replied Joe, taking the
quarter Mr.. Wise handed him. DISH do
to buy de goods, but 'twen't rent de sto,
Mas Tom
What storer asked Mr.. Wise.
Dat big sto' of Hunt an Manson is jes'
moved outen. Mr.. Manson say l may hab
1t for sebben hundred dollars ef you'll go
my skoorty.'
Tom laughed: Well Joe, l was think
ing wouldn't go security for anybody this
week. Don't you think you can do busi-
ness on a smaller scale!'
Joes couptenance fell, and he suffered
visibly, but cheering thought presently
struck him, and he exclaimed disdainfully.
ANY how, l amt keerin' bout Hunt an
Mason's ole sto'-der ole sebben-hundred-
dollar sto'! / can git goods box an turn
it upside down, an stan it up by de Cap'tol
groun's an more folks'il pass long an
buy goobers dan would come in dat ole
sto' all de year. Dey amt spitin' met
AS Joe limped of to invest his money.
his poor little legs swinging and his swal.
low-tails tapping, Toms friend asked wh'
he was.
Belonged to us before the war; sad
Tom. Poor little devil! the good Lord Ad
TIE birds of the air seem to take care OF
him. set him up in business with twelty.
five cents every week, and look after him
little in other ways. Sometimes he buys
matches and newspapers, and sells them
again. sometimes he buys gingercakes,
and eats them all but he is Invariably
busted a. he calls it, by Saturda night
Joe ooh, joel
Joe looked back, and with perect indif-
ference to the fac: that he was OBTAINING
Ar. Wise, answered that he void be dar
torectly, continuing his negotiations for
an empty goods box lying at tie door Of
neighbOring dry-goOds store What you
want, Mas Tom?' he asked N his return.
Miss MOllie is going to benarried week
after next, Joe, and you ma come up to
the house if you like. wa afraid might
forget it,
'Whoop you sir Thank, Mas Tom,
boun' to see Miss Mollie tep of de carpit.
But, Lord-a-mussy !! dem new niggers you
got amt gwine to lemm in
Come to the front dor and ask for me.
Cut out now, and dot get bus'ed this
week, because l shall want all my money
70 buy breastpin towait on my sister in.
Come, John, let's egister.'
Joe's glance follfved Mr.. Wise and his
friend till they wen out of sight; then he
turned and paused y more till he reached
an out-ofthe. grocery store, In the
! window Of which sere displayed samples