La Junta tribune., 1900-06-16
JOE
His Rags Covered That which
Proved Of Value.

S..>e:-:.e.-...-e,.s.s.s.
Twenty-Five years ago taught
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 prosperi-
ty, and I had n pleasant time among
them.
Ny schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed. II was small, unpaint-
ed and upholstered. but had n good
door 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 strange boy
! whom ! 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 l come TO school. teacher!' he
asked. looking At me earnestly
Where do you live. my boyT |
questioned.
"Just back here by the edge of the
woods" he replied.
What Is your namey' I asked.
"Joe Norton" said he. adding. Eve
just moved here"
"Well. Joseph" said I. '.you may
Z . t.I
and bring nil 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 MS he went
down the aisle. His clothing was
/ patched. bis coat was too big for him.
and he carried large. ragged hat In
his hand. But he held up his head In
/ q self respecting way. and I felt sure
4 TINT Joe Morton was good and manly.
and resolved 10 help him all could.
was afraid lie might not have a
( very pleasant time with a certain few
of the boys, for. although they really
were not bad boys mt heart, they were
much given TO making fun OF any
/ newcomer and sometimes made 1t very
unpleasant for n boy who seemed odd
or strange to them.
The leader Of this set was Tom
Atherton. 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 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 a most thoughtless, unkind
way.
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 glanc-
ed nj Tom and saw that his eyes were
twinkling mischieyously, which 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.
I NJ ioul
ing out:
81 know boy whc.e name is Joe
With boots all gu; at the toe. toe, toe
l heard no answer from Joe. end
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 I Of
fered? Who'll mnke 1t 81? Who'll
make 1t s1?"
And SO II went from day to day, Tom
saying unkind. jeering things as soon
as he supposed himself out of sight
and Joe taking 1t quietly. Sometimes
q quick fiush would pass over his face.
and his lips would quiver. but no word
escaped him.
thought best to appear not to know
what was going on between them,
thinking II would soon wear itself ont
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.
He made rapid progress In his stud
les. and his everyday life showed
strength OF character.
could always depend on him to tsll
the truth on every occasion, and. look-
Ing into his earnest face. would Tor
get the ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhouse Wno Q
wide. deep stream Of water which m
dank and turbid in the spring It Was
crossed by footbridge with raSl1nG
on both sides- Nearly half the ehfl-
dren crossed this bridge to ~ -
school.
On pleasant days We often sat = ~
bank to eat our dinner. whScA -
brought With %.
/ ose lovely day II early June We vsss