The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-11-06
LITTLE JOE"
From Lippencott's for Noyanbe

From Lippencott's for Novsnber.]
Tom Wise, great big, handsome
fellow, with heart Of the same order,
was standing at tho corner talking to
friend. He held cigar to his mouth
with his left hand, and with his right
had just struck match against the
lamp.post, when at--or rather UNDER
his elbow exclaimed cheerily, 'Busted
agin, Mas Tom!''
Tom threw glance over his shoulder.
and there stood ''Little Joe,'' small,
misshapcn negro about fifteen years
old, with crutches under his arms and
feet all twisted out Of shape, his toes
barely touching tho ground as he
hoped along. He had on an old straw
hat with only hint of brim. There
must be some law Of cohesive at.
traction between straw and wool, for
little Joe'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 a natural exorescence or a horrible
bore. Joe had met with very few peo-
pie mean enough to laugh at him for,
though he possessed all the brightness
and cheerfulness and pluck Of deformed
people generally, there was wistCul
look about his eyes which
his want Of hei ght and
his position on clutches intensified lin.
deed, perhaps, created), by keeping
them upturned while talking with any
ono taller than himself; and this was
generally the case, for there were no
grown people so small as Little Joe.
His shirt was torn and his pantaloons
ragged, but to gid these faded glories
ne wore swallow.tailed coat with
brass buttons, which some one had
given him, whether from sense Of
humor or sentiment of charity let the
gods decide.
"Busted agin, Mas Tom!''
"What busted you this time, Joe e.
asked Mr.. Wise.
Lumber, Mas Tom. I was in de
lumber dismiss las week, buyin' ole
shingles an sellin' 'em for kindlin':
but my pardner, he naked run on de
bank-leas' ways on my breeches pocket
AM den ruined away hisse'f. Amt
you Ew'ne to sot me up agin, Mas
"Whet business are you going into
this week?
'Feckshunnery," replied Joe, tax.
ing the quarter Mr.. Wise handed him.
''Dis'll do to buy de goods, but 'twon't
rent de sto', Mas Tom
What store?" asked Mr.. Wise.
dat big sto' Hunt an Manson is les
moved outen. Mr.. Manson say may
hab it for sebben hundred dollars ef
you'll 80 my SHORTY"
Tom laughed: "Well, Joe, was
thinking wouldn't 90 security for any.
body this week. Don't you think YOU
can do business on a smaller scale -
Jee's countenance fell, and he sui.
fsrsd visibly, but = cheering thought
presently struck him, and he exclaimed
disdainfully, "Anyhow, I amt a.keer-
ing bout Hunt an Mason's ole sto'-
der ole sebben.hunderd.dollar sto'! I
can git goods box an turn it upside
down, IN stan it up by de Cap tol
Poun 9, an more folks'll pass long an
buy COOLERS dan would come in dat ole
sto' all dc year. Dey amt spitin'
me-"
Az Joe limped of to invest his money,
h's poor little legs swinging and bis
swallow:tails tapping, Toms friend
asksd who hs was.
"belongsd to ID before the war, -
said Tom. Poor little devil! the
good Lord and the birds of tho air
seem 70 take care Of him. I set him
up in business With twenty-five CENT.