The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-09-27
DIED FOR SUSY.

RuNc Jus u klHucT WoTu UT sNcctcI htiilIe
She was tho orphaned daughter Of
country clergyman, Whose sole legacy Il
her Ind been the best education his owl
profound learning enabled him to Civ
her. When she was but n little girl he
mother died, and she had been her father
housckceper, scholar and companion unit
her nineteenth birthday, when the Rev
Stephen Cole was likewise taken from Tho
Child to his lust, long rest. The goot
people Of the parish, knowing Susy's nd
~vantagcs for study, had put her ut tho
head OF tho district school, and her OLE
home being the parsonage, she had re;
moved her personal possessions and
taken up her abode ut farmer Colling
woods, he having for years "boardcd' tho
school ma'am.
1t was 4 merry, happy farmers house
hold where Susy lived. Julia and MoIIie
%Collingwood We're strong-arlned, blooming
damsels, full OF co1ucttlsh grace, and with
loud voices and active habits. Charlie
and james, the sons, were fine specimens
OF Young farmers, and the old man md his
wife were kind-hcarted, homely country
folks. .
Butt the young girl, brought up in Ecl
fathers study, his companion for years
had developed o mental than physical
strength, was sly in manner, reserved in
speech, and cravcd intellectual food ell
tirely out OF her power 10 obtain. She was
slight in figure, with large black eyes
delicate features, n pure, colorless conl'
%plexion, and masses OF nut-brown hair
Tic parsonage having always had Il ser,
want, Susy's little hands were %unspoiled
by rough work, and beside the rosy
checked, blue.eycd %Collinswood girls sic
looked like a little pale nun, her deer
mourning contrasting strongly with theil
gay attire, in which all tho colors Of the
rainbow struggled for supremacy.
She had been but n little time in hei
position rs instructress to the tow-headcd
Youngsters OF Brent Hill, when, coming
up the road from school late on asum:
mcr's afternoon, she heard wailing and
groans In one OF the cottages, where often
before she had heard the sounds.
"Poor Joe" she whispered, p;tiiully.
For she knew 4 deiormel idiot was being
beaten by a cruel task-master. But OH
that afternoon, us she drew near the cot.
tase, the door suddenly flew open, and
the idiot limped, bowling and speeding as
fast as his iniirmities allowed, out OF the
opening, while, following him, wasastrong,
brutal man, half drunk, ilourishiny al
immense cowlide.
The man, cursins and swearing, held
tho whip over the covering, shrinking
lad, but when it iell it struck, not Joe, but
Susy, who bent over him, with n arm
raised to ward of the blow. Brute as he
was, the half-drunken wretch stood aghast
when the heavy lash cut across Susy's
slender arm and shoulders,
II beg your pardon, ma'am," he said
II did not see you in the way"
HIIoy can your" she cried, her pale
cheeks crimson with woManly Indignation
show can you, q strong man, Strike Il
poor trembling boy like that-aboy whose
infirmities should appeal for protection tc
any man who was not an arrant coward ~
"Well. come now, that's pretty strong
said tile nan, "Don't l feed and lodge
him for what he ducs, ard amt ] got q
right to heat him ii he does everything
wrong? He don't carr his salt, he don't
"Don't keep him, then"
u guess yoiu'reright. ! won't. Joe, you
may 60 to the mischief, but don't come
here again."
So styling, the idiots tormcntor TUNED
on his heel and %rc'entered his house,
shutting and noisily boiling the door.
Susy stood hali-terrified at the result OIL
her well meant interference. Joe was a
| waii from tho alms.house. lame, deformed,
idiotic, and she had deprived him Of bis
only refuge.
HOh! doc" she said, crying, " am SO
sorry! What will you dol"
Bit Joe was only able to realize TINT his
brutal task.master had ceased to beathim,
and that Il long rcd weltacrossS usy's hand
had inl!cn there upon its way to his COW.
ering shoulder. lie only pointed to the
mark half crying: :.
vt was better Tor me to take 1t as your
he said, Whispering; 9the pretty white
hand? Oh? Joe is sorry you got before
him. Joe don't mind beatins!"
All the chivalry inthe poor, dull brain
asserted itself in that speech, for Joe did
mind Il beating very much.
"You can't stay here In the road all
night" said S,lsy.f "Come with me and ]
will ask Mr.. %Collingwood to give you 4
place to sleep"
The good people at tho farm looked
rather astonislled when Susy appeared
followed by the stopping, limping figure Of
the village idiot. But the farmer broke
into hearty laughter when sl,o told OF her
interference and begged q shelter for the
aStay here? OF course he can stay
here" no said. "We'll find something
for the poor bccgar TO do. But TO think
OF your spunking up to Bob Carter after
That fashion. I'd ha' given my best COW
to see It. A little white bantam peckine
Il mad bull would be nothing to it. And
l,e run OF? Well! Well! Here, Charlie
show Joe tho room over the barn. Hi
can sleep there, and he'll soon learn where
to come, 10 meals"
So the idiot found his hard bed on the
floor replaced by tho cosy barn chamber
his scanty food exchaag cd for gencrou.
plenty; and for blows, kicks and curses
hard work everlasting his brain, no hat
kindly words and light labor suited to hi
comprehension.
And under this treatment he brightcnct
yisibly, performing his simple task will
ingly ind well. When winter came Srs,
herself altered n suit md overcoat Of he
father to clothc the boy comfortably To-
the cold weather, and knit him scarf, cal
and mittens. She never passed him with
out Il word OF encouragement, and in Iii
darkcned mind tho fair, sweet face stoot
Tor a religion-somethingto be worship
ned, poor Joc's special Providence.
: He never forgot the falling Of tho crue
lash upon her slender figure, bent to pro
tcct him, and he understood perfectly tina
Susy's intercession had procured for hin
his happy, comfortable home.
And Ills gratitude expressed itself Il
such offerings ms were within his reach
bouquets OF wild flowers, clusters Of del
cate ferns he knew she loved, baskets {
wild cherries or nuts, and m eager Offer
lift any obstacle from her path. And tn
%good.naturcd, jcsting country folks Gale
poor Joe Susy's adnirer.
But while winter SHOWS were yet upo
4 ## #Ht.