El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-19
JoE-
His Rags Covered That Which
Proved of Value.

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 go
ing on slowly but steadily to prospect
ty, and 1 had a pleasant time among
them.
My schoolhouse was a very primitive
affair indeed. 1t was small, unpaint-
ed and upholstered. but had a good
Aoor and fairly comfortable seats. and
my pupils. of whom there were -.
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 class
es when in walked a strange boy
whom l 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 I come to school. teacherT he
asked. looking at me earnestly.
~Where do you live, my boy? 1
questioned.
"Just back here by the edge of the
woods" be replied.
"What is your name?' I asked.
"Joe Morton said he, adding. Eve
Just moved here"
swell. Joseph" said 1, 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 4 large. ragged hat in
his hand. But he held up his head in
a self respecting way and l felt sure
that Joe Morton was good and manly.
and resolved to help him all | could.
was afraid be might not have a
very pleasant time with a certain few
Cd 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
sAtherton. bright boy. but one who
had very little kindly feeling for any
one in school excepting his little sis
ter Pearl.
Pearl Atherton was about years
old and the most beautiful child I have
ever seen Tom loved her with a love
that was almost worship. but to the
rest of the pupils he was something of
a tease and a torment. always teasing
and making fun of me one and some
times in a most thoughtless, unkind
way.
/ had many serious talks with him
On the subject. but as soon as he was
ont 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 I was
sure BODIED no good to Joe. but thought
he would be able to defend himself.
In the afternoon Joe came and aft
er I had assigned his lessons, took his
seat quietly.
At recess 1 heard Toms voice sing
ing out:
81 know a boy whose name is Joe.
With boots all out at the toe. toe, toe
I heard no answer from Joe. and
soon Tom said mockingly:
"What am l offered for the hat? Bid
QUICK. only one came
out of the ark, How much am I Of
fered? Who'll make it sly Who'll
make it SIP"
And so il 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
quick flush would pass over his face
and his lips would CULVER. but no word
escaped him.
i thought best to appear not to know
what was going on between them
thinking il would soon wear itself ont
and perhaps Joe would feel better to
think | did not kno r. but | kept him
with me much as I could and grew
to like him very much.
He made rapid progress in his stud
les. and his everyday life showed
strength of character.
j could always depend on him to tell
the truth on every occasion. and. look
ing into his earnest face. | would for
get the ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhouse was n
wide. deep stream OF water which ran
.dank and turbd in the spring. 1t was
crossed by a foothridge with a railing
on both sides. Nearly half the chill
dren crossed this bridge TO get to
school.
On pleasant days we often sat OF the
bank to eat our dinner, which we
brought with US. .-....
One lovely day In early June we were