St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-26
JoE'S DEVOTION.
A Simple Narrative.

1t was favorite jest npon old Farmer Col
1ingwooi's farm to call Joe Ellison Susy's adj
mirer. And Susy, when she heard the half
taunting joke, only smiled softly, and at their
next meeting only gave Joe a kinder word
or sweeter smile.
She was an orphaned daughter of coun-
try clergyman, whose sole legacy to her had
been the best education his own profound
learning enabled him to give her. When she
was but little girl her mother died, and she
had been her fathers housekeeper, scholar
and companion until her nineteenth birth
day, when the Rev. Stephen Coyle was like
wise taken from the child to his last, long
rest The good people of the parish, know
ing Susy's advantages for study, had put her
at the head of the district school, and her
old home being the parsonage, she had re-
moved her personal possessions and had
taken up her abode at Farmer Collingwood's,
he having for years ''boarded'' the school
ma'am.
1t was merry, happy farmers household
where Susy lived. Julie and Mollie Coling-
wood were strong armed, blooming damsels,
full of coquetish grace, and with loud voices
and active habits. Charles and James, the
sons, were fine specimens of young farmers,
and the old man and his wife were kind
hearted, homely country folks.
She had been out but little time in her
position of instructress to the tow headed
youngsters of Brent Hill when, coming up
the road from school late on a summers af-
ternoon. she heard wailing and groans in
one Of the cottages where often before she
had heard the same sound.
''Poor Joe!'' she whispered pitifully.
For she knew deformed idiot was being
beaten by cruel master. But on that after
noon, as she drew near the cottage, the door
suddenly few open and the idiot lmped,
bowling and speeding as fast as his infrmi-
ties allowed, out at the opening, while follow
ing him strong brutal man, half drunk,
fourishing an immense cowhide.
The man. cursing and swearing, held the
whip over the covering, shrinking lad, but
when it fell it struck not Joe but S1sy, who
bent over him, one arm raised, to ward off
the blow. Brute as he was, the half-drunken
wretch stood aghast when the heavy lash cut
across SUsy's tender arms and shoulders.
~ beg your pardon, Fam ;" he said. 81
did not see you was in the way''
''How can you!'' she cried, her pale cheeks
crimson with womanly indignation-''ho
can you, strong man, strike a bling
boy like that-s boy whose infirmities should
appeal for protection to any man who was
not an arrant coward!'
swell, come now, that's pretty strong"
said the man. "Don't feed and lodge him
for what he does, and amt got right to
beat him if he does everything wrong? He
don't earn his salt, he don't''
"Don't keep him then"
II guess you're right. 1 won't; Joe you
may 20 TO the mischief, but don't come here
again"
The good people at the farm looked rather
astonished when Susy appeared, followed by
the STOPPING, limping figure of the village
idiot. But the farmer broke into hearty
laughter when she told of her interference
and begged shelter for the boy.
'Stay here? OF course he can stay here,''
he said. ''We'n find something for the poor
beggar to do. But to think of you spunk-
ing up to Bob Carter after that fashion I'd
ha' given my best cow to see it. A little
white bantum pecking mad bull would be
nothing to it. And he run off. Well, well.
Here Charlie, show Joe the room over the
Darn. He can sleep there, and he'll soon
learn where to come to meas.''
So the idiot found his hard bed on the floor
IePlaceu oy Tue cozy Darn chamber, his scanty
1000 exchanged for generous plenty; and
Tor blows, Kicks and curses, and hard work
everlasting his brain. he had kind words and
light labor suited to his comprehension
And under this treatment he Frightened
vislbly, performing his simple task willingly
and well. When winter came Susy herself
altered a suit and overcoat of her fathers TO
clothe the boy comfortably for the cold
weather, and knit him scarf and pair of
mittens. She never passed him without
word OF encouragement. and in his darkened