Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-01-16
JoE-
His Rags Covered That Which
Proved of Value.
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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 l had pleasant time among
them.
My schoolhouse was very primitive
affair indeed 1t was small, unpaint-
cd and upholstered. but had 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 u strange boy
whom had never seen in the neigh
borhood.
He was th.clsly freckled, had red
hair and was poorly dressed, but was
very clean. He came directly to my
desk
N4tlJ i GOlAlE " SCllOOls lGGLCucIs nG
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 Norton said he. adding, 1--WE
just moved here"
even, 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.
lie made a queer picture as he went
down the aisle. His clothing was
patched. his coat was too big for him,
and he carried large, ragged hat in
his hand. But he held up his head in
self respecting way, and l felt sure
that Joe Morton was good and manly
and 1 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 1t very
unpleasant for boy who seemed odd
or strange to them.
The leader of this set was Tom
Atherton, n 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
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. unklnd
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 I glanc-
ed Mt Tom and saw that his eyes We're
twinkling miscllIevously. which was
sure boded 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 / 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. Gnd
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 Of
fered? Who'll make it 81? Who'll
make it SIP
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 quiver, 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 / 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 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 a
wide. deep stream of water which ran
dnnl and turbId in the spring. It was
crossed by footbridge with railing
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.