Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-06-05
JOE'S DEVOTION.

II was favorite Jest upon old Farmer
Collingwood's farm TO call Joe Ellison Susy's
admirer. And Susy, when she heard the
half-taunting joke, only smiled softly and at
their next meeting only gave Joe kinder
word or a sweeter smile.
She was the 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 a little girl her mother died,
and she had been her fathers housekeeper,
scholar and companion until her 10Th
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 dis
trict school, and her old home being tho
parsonage, she had removed her personal
possessions and had taken up her abode at
Farmer Collingwoods. he having for years
boarded the school ma'am.
1t was a merry, happy farmers household
where Susiy lived. Julie and Mollie CoIling-
wood were strong armed, blooming 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 folks
She had been but a little time in her posi-
| ton as instructress to the tow-headed
youngsters of Brent Hill. when coming I'D
from school late on a summers afternoon
she heard wailing and groans in one Of the
cottages, where often before she had heard
the sound
Poor JoeT she whispered pitifully.
For she knew deformed IDIOT was being
beaten by cruel master But On that
afternoon, as she drew near the cottage,
the door suddenly flew open and the idiot
iimped bowling and speeding as fast as his
lnfirmities allowed out at the opening,
while following him was strong. brutal
man, half drunk, fourishing all 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 of the blow.
Brute as he was. the half-drunken wretch
stood ashast when the heavy lash cut across
Susy's slender arms and shoulders
i beg your pardon, MAN," he said. Il
did not see you was in the way"
How can your she cried, her pale cheeks
crimson with womanly indignation; how
can You, strong man, strike poor trembling
boy ike that; a boy whose infirmities should
appeal for protection TO any man who was
not an arrant cowardf
well, come now, that's pretty strong.S
said the man. Don't feed an lodge him
for what he does, and amt l got right to
beat him If he docs everything wrong. He
don't earn his salt, he don't"
Don't keep him then"
Il guess you're right. l won't Joe, you
may go TO the mischief, but don't come here
again.
The good people Of the farm looked rather
astonished when Susy appeared, followed
by the STOPPING, limping figure Of the vii.
lage idiot But the farmer broke into laugh
ter when she told of hsr interference and
begged a shelter for the boy.
Stay here! OF course he can stay here,
he said. Wen find something for the moor
beggar to do But to think Of your spunky-
ing up to Bob Carter in that fashion. I'd
have given my best COW to see it. A little
white bantam picking q mad bull would be
nothing to it And he ran Off Well, well.
Here Charlie show Joe the room over the
barn He can sleep there and he'll soon
learn where to come for his meals.y
So the idiot found his hard bed on the floor
replaced by the coy barn chamber, his
scanty food exchanged for generous plenty.
and for blows, kicks and curses and hard
work. everlasting his brain, he had kind
words and light labor suited to his compre-
hension
And under this treatment he Frightened
visibly, performing his task willingly and
well When winter came Susy herself al
tered suit and overcoat Of her fathers to
clothe the boy comfortably for the cold
weather, and knit him scarf, cap and NIT.
tens. She never passed him without a word |
OF encouragement, and In his darkened life |
the fair. sweet face stood for religion
something to be worshipped; poor Joe's |
special providence.
He never forgot the falling OF the cruel |
lash upon her tender figure bent to protect |
MN, and he understood perfectly that Susy's |
intercession had procured for him that |
nAPpy' confortapie nome
Ano us gratitude e1pressei ITSELF In such
offerings as We're within his reach-bouquets
1i VIVA mowers clusters oil delicate ferns he
Ahe" she loved baskets OF Wild cherries
nuts ana an eager oner % lit any obstacle
rom her pain And the good-natured,
Jes'ins country ioiKs called poor Joe Susy's
adnrer.
bu' WINE the winter SHOWS were yet on
tne ground There came to Brent Hill a new
clergyman, one 'yrus fortman, who had
oeeh d pulii vi ousys father when he was a
youth Oh H. she child OF II Having fitted
I ~ i"I conege uhher rev stephen
oosies INSTRUCTIONS. he had gone TO Har-
'aiu' haa studied ior the pulpit, and, hay
ing preacneu IN boston, had accepted a call
W breh' mn
IL was qiite natural That he should seek
SusS, anu 'ne o'i servant az The parsonage
. "as va , u. ~ NE, pia. ne was wealthy
father and be x,,s.a,,a - - 81. I'm us
b;s ,ar;Sb S. r.. a. 81, ~ Pooi III
her con,rol y,.: .hIo =, -. -,
many avenues for his cb.r;,,, - .,' n
added another I;nt to Oh. asso.,..; a.a . .uu.
hound then, to,a,har '''a'
s. in tha s.;,.a
spring wallis he I.t h;s bsar, s. 81, - =. .lo
and Gathered her mace int, - -, 10y
wbiIs Oh. nnconeo;o,,s -
s.cra, fol, Tho, ,bor,. - Wv"
,rotonnd a. 90 -. ~. fpess
ence. II was a onie, npeven,ful oa,r,;,
for six long months Inn, !, h,u,1 ,,., -
FIRMLY together for life And loo ionri,r
On, understood vaguely that Susy was happy
when Cyrus was near, that service per-
formed for Cyrus pleased Susy as well. And
Is events progressed he understood that Cy-
rus would one day take Susy TO the parson-
age as his wife. All this was firmly rooted
N poor Joe's clouded brain, and he knew
hat trouble to Cyrus would also be a sore
grief to Susy
SO, with allegiance that was touching. Joe
transferred some of his devotion 10 the
roung clergyman, and when he was at the
arm would often mutter:
"Susy likes him. Joe ,nnst l.. GOOD 70 hin,