The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-02-25


make a lady's shoe which was a
source of pride to his employer.
In the meantime Love, the artiul,
had been busy with Joe's heart,
The glowing face Of Lucy, his bene-
factors daughter, was ever before
Joe in fancy as he drove the pegs
and pulled the waxed ends. Lucy
was a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass.
She never suspected Joe's affection
for her, and Joe was careful never
to make it known to her, because he
realized the full import of his wreck
ed physical condition and knew too
well the possible dangers of Il revel-
alton of his secret.
But Lucy must have suspected
that his thoughts were with her con-
tinually, for he could not hide the
love in his eyes, nor could he help
being extra careful with the patches
which he puts on her shoes. And
SO Joe pegged away day by day, his
evenings cheered by the sunshine of
Lucy's smile, and comforted by an
occasional touch of her hand. He
suffered the agony of seeing other
young men hover around her like
butterflies about u rose. In the Sc
cret chambers Of her heart Lucy
owned to herself that she liked Joe,
and as liking is first cousin to loving
it is very possible if Joe had been
brave enough to urge his suit, that
she might have learned to entertain
a warmer emotion for him. But Joe
was high-spirited young man. He
did not show such base ingratitude
to his benefactors as to forge the
rivets of love and unite a young,
blooming and vigorous life to his
blasted and withered existence.
Perhaps Joe carried his ideas of
honor too far. Perhaps he valued
too lightly his own nobility, even if
it were enshrined in crippled body.
But Joe was not altogether forlorn.
To be near his loved object alone
was joy for him to be within the
sound of her voice; to hear her sing
in the summer evenings.
Thine eyes are stars ofmorning,
Thy lips are crimson flowers,
Good night, beloved,
was surcease of sorrow for him
was draught of that elixir the
drinking of which means life, hope,
and an Intoxicating joy more subtle
than wine from happy valleys. But
this brief delirium was followed by
Il corresponding gloom and reaction.
The next day Joe would pound
the leather to an impromptn tune,
which he whistled under his breath
the words words set to which were
"She-can't-bc-mine! Some
man-with strong legs and -
stout--arms-Will--get-herl"
When Joe had been shuttle cock
ing between hope and fear for three
years he made up made up his
mind he could stand the strain no
longer And so, one evening when
the family were all gathered around
the table in the little parlor, he told
them that he intended to 90 away;
that he thought his chances Of sue
cess in life would be better if he went
West and grew up with the country.
He had been a burden to them long
enough-here his voice trembled
and he nearly broke down, but he
pulled himself together and went on
with an expression of his gratitude
for their kindness to him, which he
knew, he said, he never could repay.
Caleb laid down his newspaper,
took off his spcctaclcs, and peered
across the table at Joe. Mrs. Pinner
looked up from her knitting in
amazenent and said:
"Why Joe we can't get along with
out you. You are one of our chill
dren, Joe. What have we done to
offend you?"
Joe tried to stammer out reply.
but failed to make himself intelli-
giblc Perhaps his embarrassment
was increased by the fact that Lucy's
great brown eyes were filled with
tears. So convinced was Caleb that
Joe did not mean what he said that
he only remarked;
Pooh poohl You go to bed, Joe.
You'll think better of it in the morn
ing, my boy" Then he resumed
his specs and the reading of his
newspaper.
Sure enough, the next day Joe
went away. Twas a sorrowful part
ing. Ties which had been woven
during many years were ruthlessly
sundered when the Hudson River
train bore Joe away, but in that