The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-07-07
HOW WENT TO LIVE WITH
UNCLE JOE.

- Ainc1 1risSoid. IN Cin- SATURDAY Night
You never knew Toe Whi,es OF course
not. Uncle Joe lived on the Tracy place
on the Onskany road. where you turn
the corner TO go to bettis' saw mill. This
was forty years ago, when was a boy
and lived at home. have Just been
visiting the old home in York State
and riding by the old Tracy place one
day ! was reminded of Joe White and an
incident in my boyhood life in conneo-
ton with him. Joe was a shiftless sort
of fellow. who spent more Ii ne al the
village tavern than he did at any form Of
work. He did a little hauling with a
team he owned. cultivated small patch
OF ground. had an apple orchard and
made cider in TIE fall. and could pet,ifog
case IN the justices court If anybody
would allow him 10. He was a genial
man. when he had glass or two. and
made friends with the boys by his stories
and fun.
| believe that it is characteristic of BOYS
IN the country 10 be dissatisfied with
home at an early age They get an idea
tha; they are not nell used by their pai-
ents. particularly If any work Is required
oil them. | Was that kind OF boy. and
when oe White in one of his genial
moods asked me how would like 10
come and live with him and be " his little
boy was delighted with The idea. Il,
Vas j Saturday afternoon. remember.
and l noie Toe was sitting in the bar-room
OF the Village tavern. slipping the third
sin-slins thai had been made for fin.
His face glewed with benevolen, good
nature clear to he top OF MS bald head.
his voice MAS atieCtionate and kind. and
his eyes elistened with sympathetic emo
;ion. He loved boys. he sad. and wished
he had a dozen around him All the tine.
re entered INTO all their oys ard pleas
u es and sympa,hized WIKI them in iheil
little woes. II he could h..se - My no
boy would be required 10 20 anything
3li play The whole day long Then he
.ooh me on his knee and sad if | would
come and lie with HIM | could 10 iast
Is / pleased % - school OF pay
ABOUT ne fame no;hias IN
he world should annoy me. lie
spoke III his lonely life without any lille
boy To cheer him. and ! SAN tears slowly
gliding CT the emu OF his nose INTO his
sin-s!ias Then put my arm around
toes neck and told HIM how woeid 20
and live with him and be his little boy
and Aissed i truant teardrop. that had i
flavor OF gin. OF his cheek, and nestled
against his bosom. Al tina, moment
Uncle oe White seemed 10 surpass
father. mother. brothers sisters and aun,s.
and was ready to spend my life with
hum. went home and told my parents
OF I nele loe's offer, and considerable; to
my surprise. they said nigh, go and
live with him if | desired to. They
allowed that might perhaps have a
Better and easier time at Joes than
could 4, home.
was very impatien, for Monday morn
ing to arrive Never did pass so long a
Sunday. had TO 20 to church and 10
Sunday-school. bu, consoled myself
With the reflection that il was the las,
time. Tor tncle lee wouldn't require me
10 do that. More likely ne would take
me OF, tshing with him. or hunting
squirrels IN ne woods. Monday morn
IN. came Al length lad dressed myself
III my sunday clothes, Tor oe had tod
me tina, he Was 80 rs 10 keep me dressed
up all the time. No more old clothes or
gong baretoo;ed for me. No work TO
do-nothlng but Sit around and enjoy
myself. ] felt momentary qualm in
parting from father and mother. but as it
was only about mile 10 Joe's. reflected
that could come and see them OCCASION
ally. Mother offered 10 roll up a little
bundle OF things for me. bu; told her
IL WASH, necessary. Uncle Ioe would
furnish everything might want Then
I Left, .ha old !, 7
and started for my new home with loe
White. When 30, there Joe had his
team hitched up and WAS about starting
for the village. He wasn't The same
beaming. good hundred Uncle loe tina;
| parted with so reluctantly Saturday
afternoon. He MAS cross, grabbed. dirty
and unshayed His eyes were red. voice
hoarse. and he swore Al his team al an
alarming rate. Never did see such
transformation. A man who helped him
on the place grinned as he told me in
low voice. The old mans been on a
drunk since Saturday. He's goir' up 10
the village 10 get 4 hair of the dog:
then he'll feel better" VIVA, a hair OF
the dog meant. didn', know: but
though, if i, would improve him any, he
ought 10 have il. This seen. dasnpened
my ardor a bit. Blu, wasn't going to
back out. SO stepped boldly up to Uncle
Ioe. and said I've come" "Oh. YOU
have. have YOU growled Joe. turning
his bleary eyes upon me. Well. ifyou
hadn't come I'd sent for We" This in
sarcastic tone. We'll. wha; in the hill
do you want:
drew back in some little alarm. bu,
managed to say that had come 10 live
with him and be MS li;,le boy as we ar
ranged the olher day.
lie nly Little boy: On yes. remem-
Der. B1; you ought 10 come earlier.
Here i, is. almost noon. Don't wan; no
boys around me tina, ain, early risers.
And they must be workers. too YOU
hear me. Here. Jerk Of iha, Sunday
coat OF youru. hop over the garden fence
and weed out them onions. D-n quick
about il. or III tan your little hide so that
your mother wouldn', know We" And
he reached for his whip in a way tina. ev-