Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-09-21
JOE.
By +. L. BROWN.
.~~~~

WEN1 1:ElVG years ago taught
a school in southern Nebraska,
which was only thinly settled in those
days. But the few settlers were hardy
men and women, living honest lives,
and going on slowly but steadily to
prosperity, and had pleasant time
among them.
My schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed. It was small, implanted
and upholstered, but had good floor
and fairly comfortable seats; and my
pupils, of whom there were %, were
mostly hearty, wholesome boys and
girls.
One warm day in spring I opened the
windows and doors to let in the genial
sunshine and was busy with my classes,
when in walked strange boy, whom /
had never seen in the neighborhood.
He was thickly freckled, had red hair.
and was poorly dressed, but was very
clean. He came directly to my desk.
MAY come to school, teacher?" he
asked, looking at me earnestly.
''Where do you live, my boy?" ques-
toned.
"Just back here by the edge of the
woods" he replied.
'sWhat is your name?" ! asked.
.sJoe Norton" said he; adding: 1--WE
just moved here
'Well, Joseph" said I, "you may come
to school. ''Come this afternoon, and
bring all your books
A bright look came into his face as
said this, but he made no reply, and
went out as unceremoniously as he
came.
He made queer picture. as he went
down the aisle. His clothing was
patched, his coat was too big for him,
and he carried large, ragged hat in
his hand. But he held up his head in
self-respecting way, and felt sure that
Joe Morton was good and manly, and ]
resolved to help him all could.
was afraid he might not have very
pleasant time with certain few of the
boys; for, although they really were
not bad boys at heart, they were much
given to making fun of any newcomer,
and sometimes made it very unpleasant
for boy who seemed odd or strange to
them.
The leader of this set was Tom Ath-
erton, bright boy, but one who had
very little kindly feeling for any one in
school, excepting his little sister Pearl.
Pearl Anterior was about seven years
old and the most beautiful child have
ever seen. Tom loved her with love
that was almost worship; but to the
rest of the pupils he was something of
tease and a torment, always teasing
and making fun of some one, and some
times in most thoughtless, unknd
way.
had many serious talks with him on
the subject, but as soon as he was out
of the schoolroom, he seemed to for
get, and went back to his old ways.
As Joe went down the aisle I glanced
at Tom, and saw that his eyes were
twinkling mischievously, which I was
sure BODIED no good to Joe, but thought
he would be able to defend himself.
In the afternoon Joe came, and, after
had assigned his lessons, took his seat
quietly.
At recess heard Toms voice singing
out:
81 know boy whose name is Joe.
With boots all out at the toe. toe. toe"
heard no answer from Joe, and soon
Tom said, mockingly:
''What am offered for the hat? Bid
quick! The only one left that came out
of the ark! How much am Offered? ?
Who'll make it one dollar? Who'll make
it one dollar?"
And SO it went from day to day. Tom
saying unkind, jeering things as soon
as he supposed himself out of sight, and
Joe taking it quietly. Sometimes a
quick flush would pass over his face,
and his lips would CULVER, but no word
escaped him.
thought best to appear not to know
what was going on between them,
thinking it would soon wear itself cut.
and perhaps Joe would feel better to
think did not know, but kept him
with me as much as could and grew to
like him very much.