The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-02-09
JOE
His Rags Covered That Which
Proved of Value.

MS mays SoNCEtu w x
Z Proved of Value.
3G4s9sG33..344@34a~@144as4
twenty-five years ago l 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 60
Ing on slowly but steadily to prosperi-
ty, and | had a pleasant time among
them.
My schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed. Ii 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 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 l come to school, teacher?" he
asked, looking at me earnestly.
"Where do you live, my boy" l
questioned.
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 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
a self respecting way, and | felt sure
that Joe Morton was good and manly
| and resolved TO help him all ] could.
| | was afraid be might not have q
| 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 a boy who seemed ode
or strange to them.
The leader of this set was Ton
l -, I,,& l.,
had very little kindly feeling for an!
one in school excepting his little sis
ter Pearl.
| Pearl Atherton was about years
old and the most beautiful child hav,
ever seen. Tom loved her with a low
that was almost worship, but to th
rest of the pupils he was something o
a tease and Il torment, always teasin:
and making fun of some one and some
times in a most thoughtless, unkin,
way.
| | had many serious talks with hin
on the subject, but as soon as he wa
out of the schoolroom he seemed t
forget and went back TO his old ways.
AS Joe went down the aisle l glanc
ed at Tom and saw that his eyes wer
twinkling mischievously, which l wa
sure boded no good to Joe, but though
he would be able to defend himself.
In the afternoon Joe came and. aft
er had assigned his lessons, took hi
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"
l heard no answer from Joe, an
soon Tom said mockingly:
"What am offered for the hat? Bi
quick! The only one left that cam
out of the ark! How much am | Of
fered? Who'll make it 81? Who
make it SIP
And so 1t went from day to day, Tor
saying unkind, jeering things as 500
as he supposed himself out of sigh
and Joe taking it quietly. Sometime
a quick flush would pass over his fac,
and his lips would Quiver, but no wor
esca ped him.
| thought best to appear not to kno'
what was going on between then
d | thinking it would soon wear itself OIL
and perhaps Joe would feel better
, think l did not know. but | kept hil
, | with me as much as | could and gre
, | to like him very much.
, He made rapid progress in his stut
i, | les. and his everyday life Shove
strength of character
-, could always depend on him to te
, the truth on every occasion. and, lool
ing into his earnest face, | would fo
get the ragged hat.
, Not far from the schoOlhouse was
wide, deep stream of water which RI
: dank and turbid in the spring. 1t W.
crossed by footbridge with a railir
}, On both sides. Nearly half the chi
dren crossed this bridge to get
school.
!, On pleasant days we often sat on Il
bank to eat our dinner, which v
!, brought with us.
o. lovely day in early June we we