Evening journal., 1899-09-30

II twenty-five 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 bat steadily TO
prosperity, and 1 had Il pleasant time
among them.
My schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed. Ii was small, unpaintcd
and upholstered, but had a good floor
and fairly comfortable seats; and my
pupils, of whom there were 22, were
mostly hearty, wholesome boys and
girls.
One warm day in spring / opened the
windows and doors TO let in the genial
sunshine and was busy with my classes,
when in walked a strange boy, whom l
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 boy2" ques-
toned.
"Just back here by the edge Of the
woods" he replied.
"What is your name?" asked.
"Joe Morton" 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 a queer picture, as he went
down the aisle. His clothing was
patched, his coat was too big for him,
and he carried a large, ragged hat in
his hand But he held up his head in a
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 a 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 10
them.
The leader of this set was Tom Ath-
osson, bright boy, but one who had
7e1y little kindly feeling for any one in
school, excepting his little sister Pearl
Pearl Atherton 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
q tease and a torment, always teasing
and making fun of some one, and some
times in a most thoughtless, unkind
way.
had many serious talks with him on
the subject, but us soon as he was out
Of the schoolroom, he seemed to for
get, and went back 70 his old ways.
As Joe went down the aisle / glanced
at Tom, and saw that his eyes were
twinlling mischievously, which / was
sure boded 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 I heard Toms voice singing
out:
II know a boy whose name IS Joe,
With boots all out at the toe, toe, toe.
I heard no answer from Joe, and soor
Tom said, mockingly:
"What am I offered for the hat? Bit
quiclSl The only one left that came oG'
of the arll How much am offered
Who'll make it one dollar9 Who'll make
IL one dollar?"
And so it went from day TO day. Ton
saying unl1ind jeering things as soor
as he supposed himself out Of sight, an,
Joe taking il quietly. Sometimes {
quick flush would pass over his face
and his lips would quiver, but no wor,
escaped him.
/ thought best to appear not to know
what was going on between them
thinking it woud soon wear itself out
ana perhaps Joe would feel better Il
think / did not know, but kept hin
With me as much as could and grew 4
Ike him very much.