Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-12-13
81. z Q z OF go J
REDHEADED JOE and /
QUARRELSOME TOM !;

+ uUnhhLLOUllL lUln ?
+oI-o.-o-s.o- !. o.s. o.. o.. OIL. o.i.o.f
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 wo-
men, living honest lives and going on
slowly but steadily to prosperity, and
had pleasant time among them.
My schoolhouse was a 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 twenty
five, 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
classes. when in walked n 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 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 Norton" said he, adding, I'VE
inst moved here"
"Well, Joseph" said you may
come to school Come this afternoon
and bring all your books"
A bright look came into his face as
l said this, but he made no reply and
went out as unceremoniously as he
came.
lie made queer picture as he went
down the aisle. Ills clothing was
patched. his coat was too big for him,
and he carried a large, ragged hat in
his hand, but held up his head in
self respecting way, and l felt sure
that Joe Morton was good and manly,
and l resolved to help him all could.
l was afraid he might not have
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 new
conner and sometimes made it very I'M
pleasant for boy who seemed odd or
strange to them.
The leader of this set was Tom Ath-
erton, a bright boy. but one who had
very little kindly feeling for any one in
school, excepting his little sister, Pearl.
Pearl Anterior was about seven
years old and the most beautiful child
l 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 teas
ing and making fun of some one and
sometimes in a most thoughtless, I'M
kind 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 glanced
at Tom and saw that his eyes were
twinklng 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, after
l had assigned his lessons, took his
seat quietly.
At recess l heard Toms voice sing
ing out:
| know a boy whose name is Joe,
With boots all out at the toe. toe, toe.
l 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 l offer
ed? Who'll make it one dollar? Who'll
make it one dollar"
And so it went from day to day,
Tom saying unkind, jeerng things as
soon as he supposed himself out of
sight and Joe taking it quietly. Some
times 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 1t would soon wear itself out
and perhaps Joe would feel better to
think i did not know, but l kept him
with me as much as l could and grew
to like him very much.