Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-02-26
JOe's Likeness.

Mrs. PEACH and her son Joe set OF
one Saturday afternoon 10 do some shop
ping at their nearest markettown. The
purchases to be made were chiefly fol
Joe, who was leaving home the next week
to go and settle with his uncle, who was
a glazier, and had offered to bring the
boy up to his trade. Joe was but rough
country lad, and had only hitherto
worked on farm, so this seemed TO him
a rise in life, and his mother was anxious
to start him respectfully as far IS
clothes went.
"You,n want new cap and jacket fol
Sundays, let alone shirts, stockin's, and
such like But I've saved enough to buy
what is needful," said the good woman,
as they walked along. "You must have
pair of smarter boots, too"
you'll be spendin' vast amount oil
money on me, mother" said honest Joe
more mindful of the drain upon the slen
der family means than of the prospect oil
his grand new clothes. SIM thinkin' as
1t will pinch you sore for yourself and
the little 'uns."
"Never mind us, lad" answered Mrs
Peach, cheerfully; "we'll do well enough
But you must not go and forget on u.s."
Forget you! no fear o. that" said Joe
warmly Maybe as / might forget just
what you look like, though" he added
with chuckle, for he had scheme In
his head, and this was the way OF opening
it to his mother, and gaining her con.
sent
81 don't think as I'll forget the look o.
you, joe" she said, little reproachfully
Joe chuckled again "But / might OF
you," he persisted, ''and / wouldna' like
that; so, mother, I've saved up shillin',
and want you to come along wi me to
the likeness man, and have your pictur'
took"
"My pictur'! Why, what should an
old woman like me have her pictur' took
for?" cried Mrs. Peach, with laugh, but
by no means displeased for al that
"Why for me, to be surew said Joe.
"And you are not old, mother, and you
look handsome in your best plaided
shawl"
This argument had some weight. Mrs
Peach smoothed down the folds of her cot
ton gown, wishing il had been her Sun.
day stuff" and thought TO herself what a
lucky thing it was that she put clean
cap under her black bonnet But she
said:
81 rather have you took, lad, nor me-
Joe was cunning in his answer: Nay,
YOU won't forget the look o. me, you say,
so why should you want my pictur' ?"
aid like it too" she said.
"But there's only one shillin'," was the
reply, and il was conclusive; there was
nothing further to be done.
SO, before the shopping was done, and
while vet the day was bright, the two
found themselves in the presence of Mr.
Jones, the photographer of the place, and
very shy they both felt as they made their
wishes known. But Mr.. Jones was 30
kind and friendly, having taken fancy
to the simple couple, that the shyness
wore off, and he soon knew as much
about his visitors as my readers have
learned from their talk upon the road.
you'll take me jist as i am, sir, said
Mrs. Peach, resolving not 10 be flattered
"Joe would like me best SO, wouldn't you
Joe! Only, for sure, be vexed as
he didn't tell me afore we set off as he
wished me TO be took, as then could have
put on my best gown"
sits you and not your gown as wants, y
said Joe; and Mr.. Jones saw the look Of
affection with which the boy regarded his
mother, and set about the work before
MIN with more than his usual interest.
When he had done he turned TO the lad
and asked, "Wouldn't your mother like
your likeness, toog"
"Aye, that | would, SIR" cried Mrs
Peach.
"On'y mothers spendin' all her money
fittin' of me out for my journey down 70
uncle's," said Joe.
"Come," Mr.. Jones said, "I'll tell you
what I'll do You'll make good subject
as we call it, and I'll take you for nothing
I'll keep likeness OF you for my window
and you shall have another TO give as a
parting present TO your mother"
Joe colored and grinned. "Me in the
window, sirY' he cried.
Mrs. Peach, too, cast up her hands in
delight and surprise. "My Joe in the
Window Well, never! He's bonny face
enough, for sure. If only he'd his new
Jacket an weskit ready
81 shouldn't like him In them half SO
well. / want him exactly as he is--round
hat, market basket and ALL" And Mr.
Jones settled the biushing lad in high
backed carved oak chair, and told him To
sit quite still for few moments.
The few moments produced wonders
| indeed. Never was likeness that gave
more satisfaction than Joc's. His mothers
was good, but his was even better. When
| ii appeared in Mr.. Jones' window many q
passer-by stopped TO admire the rustic
figure and frank, happy, boyish face.
As for Mrs. Peach's own particular
copy, il was valued far more than any
thing she ever possessed; more than her
fine red tea-tray, or even than the glazed
picture of the Queen in her robes and
crown, which had hitherto been the pride
of the good woman's heart.
"My Joe's likely lad" she would say
to herself, gazing proudly at her new
property. "There's not better nor hand
somer nor him anywhere. 1t would be
hard to forget the looks on him now,
And sure, the basket and boots are just
like natur' tool That Master Jones is q
rael clever chap. But if it had ma been
for the dear lads wanting to have his old
mother took, I'd never have had this here
4 of himself"
| Joe, on his side, often took out his
mothers likeness at his uncle's. "Pye
got her after all, the good old mother
And If / was TO turn out bad boy I'D
be ashamed to look her in the face,
would, though it's only her pictur'.
wouldna like to see IT, if I'd gone and
4