Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-01-24

Susy's admfrer. And 6nsy, when she
heard the half taunling joke, only smiled
softly, and nc their next meeting only
gave Joe kinder word or sweeter smile.
She was the orph sned daughter Of a
country 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 faith
er's housekeeper, scholar and companion
until her nineteenth birthday, when the
Rev. Stephen Coyle was likewise taken
from the child to his last, long rest. The
good people of the parish, knowing
Susy's advantages for study, had put
her at the head of the district school.
and her old home being the parsonage,
she had removed her personal posses
sions and had taken up her abode at Far
mer Collingwood's, he having for years
boarded" the school ma'am
II was q merry, happy farmers house.
hold where Susy lived Julie and MoIlie
CollingwOod were strong armed. bloom
ing damsels, full of coQuettish 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 folk.
She had been but little time in her
position as instructrcss to the tow headed
youngsters of Brent Hill, when coming
up the road from school late on sum
mers afternoon, she heard wailing and
groans In one of the cottages, where
often before she had heard the same
sound.
sPoor Joep' she whispered pitifully.
For she knew q deformed idiot was
being beaten by cruel master. But on
that afternoon, as she drew near the cot
tage, the door suddenly flew open and
the idiot limped bowling and speeding
as fast as his infrmfties allowed, out at
the opening, while following him, was a
strong, brutal man, half drunk, flourish
ing an immense cowhide.
The man, cursing and swearing, held
the whip over the covering lad, but
when it fell it struck not Joe but Susy,
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 slender
arms and shoulders
beg your pardon, ma'am, he said.
did not see you was in the way"
How can your she cried, her pale
cheeks crimson with womanly indigna-
ton" how can you, strong man, strike
poor trembling boy like that a boy
whose indrmities should appeal for pro-
lection to any man who was not an ar
liant c0warda'
Well, 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 wronga He don't earn his
salt, he don't.
. Don't keep him then"
I" / guess you're right. I won't; Joe.
you may go to the mischief, but don't
come here again.
The good people at the farm looked
rather astonished VIXEN Snsy appeared,
followed By the STOPPING, -llmping
figure of the village idiot. But the far
lner broke into laughter when she told
OF her interference and begged . shelter
for the boy.
'sstay herea or course he can stay
here, he said. ssWe'Il find something
for the poor beggar to do. Butte think
OF your spunking up to Bob Carter after
that fashion. I'd have given my best
COW TO see It. a little white bantam
picking q mad bull would be nothing to
&. And he run Of. Well, well. Here,
Charlie. show Joe the room over the
barn. He can sleep there, and he'll soon
learn where to come to meals. =
So the idiot found his hard bed on
the floor replaced b. the cosy barn cham
Der, his scanty food exchanged for gen.
erous plenty; and for 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 bright
cnsd vislbly, performing his simple task
willingly and well. When winter came
Susy herself altered suit and overcoat
Of her fathers 70 clothc the boy COM
fortably for the cold weather, and knit
him q scarf, cap.and mittens. She never
passed him without . word Of encourage
ment. and IN his darkened life the fair,
sweet face stood for . religion some
thing to be worshiped poor Joe's spec
ial Providence.
He never forgot the falling of the
cruel lash upon her tender figure bent 70
protect him, and be understood perfectly
that Susy's intercession had procured for
him his happy, comfortable home.
And his gratitude expressed itself ID
/ such offerings IS were within his reach
0f Wild lowers. clusters ol
| delicate ferns be knew she loved, baskets
/ offer to lift any obstacle from her path.
a.