South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-03-01
When Sunday came. Miss Hannah had

sNV piace, anu JOe y8zeu CurtOusty as
round. The Superintendent shook
hands with him very kindly. and then
placed him in the class OF very earn
est fa'thful teacher, After school. Miss
Hannah found a chance IN tell Joe's
teacher few facts about his new schol.
ar, and then she walked some distance
with Joe. and was delighted to hear
him say that he liked that teacher first
rate, and he meant To come next Suns
day.
This was the beginning OF new things
Tor Joe. Miss Hannah never did any
thing by halves, aud her interest in the
boy did not wane. In few weeks shs
was rejoiced To discover Joe Steele.
Dressed in a new coat sitting in the
church gallery. He smiled "a he caught
her eye, and, after church. he told her
that his teacher had helped him to get
tue coat, and to please him he had come
to church. BEFORE long, the good teach-
er invited his whole class to spend the
evening with him. Joe told Miss Han
nah that lit was the best evening he
eve7 spent ! he said that they had nuts
and candy and oranges, and they look
ed at pictures, and the teachers sister
played on the piano. and the boys hard.
~ wanted TO go home when the time
came.
A good many times Miss Hannah pur-
posely passed the little shop, so that she
might give kindly nod to Joe as he
worked, and il always seemed to Joe
that he GOULD work better after she pass
ed by. Another ill-ftting key took
Miss Hannah again to the shop, and this
time she invited Joe TO come and see
her some evening and Joe ventured to
call, little scared at first, but greatly
pleased. Miss Hannah showed him the
pretty things in her parlor, and exerted
oil her tact to draw him out. She was
pleased TO hear him speak quite intelli.
gently Of his farm life, and, after show.
ing hi m her stereoscope and treating
him 20 red apples, it was time to go. Joe
remarked that he had enjoyed himself
wonderfully, and then Miss Hannah
loaned him an interesting book, and =,
after promising 20 come again, Joe took
his departure,
Miss Hannah felt very tired when her
guest had gone. but to the boy the even
ing had beer worth more than gold. The
thought that any one in the great city
cared anything about him was power.
full stimulant to his better nature. The
contact with refined, educated lady
had given him glimpse of q different
life from that which he had known.
llencpfprth Miss Hannah became q
synonym for all that was good and wise
in the eyes Of Joe.
The Reed Household began to be in
terested in Joe, and they fell into q
fashion Of calling him 'uannah's boy. :
Even Mrs. Simm ons,the old lady in the
next honse, became interested in him,
and, when he passed her window. she
would nod at him, and say; There
comes Miss IIannah's boy what deal
of pains she does take for that lad we'll,
WELL it may do him good and then her
thoughts would wander to her own boy
far away, and she hoped that somebody
might care for him,
! One day Miss Han nah met Joe coming
out OF beer saloon. and, as she came
! up, he looked little confused. WHY,
| joe she said do you need TO drink
bCer?' Joe said that he generally got
very thirsty by noon, and liked to take
one glass, and did not see any harm IN
| that. i don't know as there is said
/ Miss Hannah, but Joe, many who be-
gin by going to saloon for beer, end
by taking something stronger, and /
would be glad if you never went into q
/ saloon again. Joe looked very grave as
/ she passed on; but lie told her after
wards that he vas not going to the saloon
/ any more.
/ AS time passed on, gradual change
/ was visible in the locksmith's boy.
Joe's coat was neatly brushed his hair
/ was smooth, aud both language and
manner changed for the better. Potent
influences were at work, and there came
look OF intelligence and resolution i'm =
to his face which il did one good to see.
Some time after this, the locksmith had
. TO give up his shop. and Joe was without
work; but his Sunday school teacher
succeeded in finding situation for him
IN the large store in which he himself
was employed, AMI Joe was greatly
pleased. Miss Hannah was delighted az
this good fortune, and, though she saw
Joe much less frequently aftor this, she
knew that he was going steadily on.
winning the good opinion Of his employ.
ers. When she met Joe, the pleased
look in his face showed that she vas
still dearly valued friend.
Two years have slipped away aud il
you had been in DIR. G-'s church last
Sunday, you would have seen pleasant
sight. six young men walked up the
aisle and took their stand a. true scr,
wants Of God. Among them, wish gen
tiemanly bearing and reverent face
stood Miss Hannah's boy Could that
young Christian soldier be indeed che
same boy? Yes, for in her pew. sat
Miss Hannah, and. as she looked AZ him.
n sacred joy shone in her face. The
good teacher was also there, anil as he
aud Miss Hannah shook hands with 10
seph Steele after church. tbere was n
light on their faces akin TO that which
the angels wear when soul is delivered
from sin.
Miss Hannah Reel is still teoobipg