The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-01-30
JOE
His Rags Covered That Which
Proved of Value.

But the rev settlers were ndfuy neu
and women, living honest lives and go
ing on slowly but steadily to prospect
ty, and l had a pleasant time among
them.
My schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed. 1t was small, unpaint-
ed and upholstered, but had a 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 l opened the
windows and doors to let In the genial
sunshine and was busy with my class
es when in walked a strange boy
whom I had never seen in the neigh
borhood
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? /
questioned.
"Just back here by the edge of the
woods" he replied.
"What is your name" l asked.
"Joe Morton" said he, adding, eve
just moved here"
"Well, Joseph" said L. ''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 a 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.
l was afraid he might not have a
very pleasant time with a 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
Anterior, bright boy, but one who
had very little kindly feeling for any
one in school excepting his little sis
ter Pearl.
Pearl Anterior was about Z 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 torment, always teasing
and making fun of some one and some
times In a most thoughtless. unkind
way.
l had many serious talks with him
on the subject, but as soon as he was
out Of the schoolroom he seemed to
forget and went back to his old ways.
AS Joe went down the aisle l glanc-
ed at Tom and saw that his eyes were
twinkling mischievously, which l was
sure BODIED no good to Joe, but thought
he would be able to defend himself.
In the afternoon Joe came and, aft
er had assigned his lessons, took his
seat quietly.
At recess l heard Toms voice sing
ing 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 1 Of
fered? Who'll make it 81? Who'll
make it $1?"
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 out
and perhaps Joe would feel better to
think l did not know, but kept him
with me as uuch as l could and grew
to like him very much.
He made rapid progress in his stud
| ICSy anu LIS CIV 81 JddJ AAAO ohOWNN
strength of character.
I could always depend on him to tell
the truth on every occasion, and, look
| ing into his earnest face, I would for
get the ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhouse was a
wide, deep stream of water which ran
dank and turbld in the spring. 1t was
/ r. xx,ith n " q
on both sides. Nearly half the chill
dren crossed this bridge to get to
school,
On pleasant days we often sat on the
bank to eat our dinner, which we
brought with us.
One lovely day in early June we were
seated there after eating our dinner.
I was reading book, and the children
were amusing themselves In various
ways.
Pearl Atherton strolled alone across
the bridge to look for violets, which
sometimes grew on the opposite side.
In coming back she stopped on the
middle of the bridge, threw some
leaves into the water and leaned
against the railing, watching the leaves
as they floated away.
The railing was old and In some man
ner had become so loosened that II
gave way with her weight, and, with
a piercing cry, she went down and out
Of sight.
Tom stood upon the bank white and
sDeechless. with q look of agony
shall never forget. He could not swim
and so could not reach her.
But at the first cry Joe had stripped
of his coat and in minute plunged
In and swan steadily toward the spot
where the little golden head went
down.
He grasped her as she rose to the
surface the second time, raised hel
head out Of the water and slowly swan
with her to the bank.
When | took her from his arms ant
laid her upon the grass, the beautiful
face was white and still, but she hat
been In the water such a short time
that a vigorous rubbing soon made
her open her eyes and speak to us, ant
She was soon talking In her usual man
ner.
| We wrapped her up as well as W.
could and sent her home with a neigh
Dor who asspassing in wagon.
Joe ran home, changed his clothes
and came back. none the worse TO
his wetting.
After the bell rang missed Joe ant
} Tom from their seats