The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-03-13
JOE.
BY L. BROWN.

ana women, living honest lives and go |
ing on slowly but steadily to prosper
ity, and had a pleasant time among
them.
My schoolhouse was a very primitive
affair indeed. It was small, implanted
and upholstered, but had good floor
and fairly comfortable seats; and my
pupils, of whom there were twenty
two, were mostly hearty, wholesome
boys and girls.
one warm day in spring l opened
the windows and doors to let I'm the
genial sunshine and was busy with
my classes, when In walked a strange
boy, whom l had never seen in the
neighborhood.
lie was thicbly freckled had red
hair, and was poorly dressed, but was
very clean. He came directly to my
desk.
May I come to school, teacher?o he
asked, looking at me earnestly.
Where Go you live, my boy?'' 1 ques-
toned.
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"
We'll, Joseph" said I, 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 unceremonlously 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
self-respecting way, and l felt sure
that Joe Morton was good and manly,
and / resolved to help him all l 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 hearts, they were
much given to making fun of any new
:. conner, and sometimes made it very
unpleasant for boy who seemed odd
or strange to them.
The leader of this set was Tom
Atherton, a bright boy. but one who
had very little kindly feeling for any
one in school, excepting his little sister
Pearl.
Pearl Atherton was about seven
years old and the most beautiful child
have ever seen. Tom loved her with
a love that was almost worship; but
to the rest of the pupils he was some
thing of a tease and a torment, always
teasing and making fun of some one
and sometimes in a most thoughtless
unkind way.
l 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
twinkling mischievously, which was
sure BODIED no good for Joe, but thought
he would be able to defend himself.
In the afternoon Joe came, and, after
I had assigned his lessons, took his
seat quietly
At recess l heard Toms voice sing
ing out:
81 know a boy whose name is Joe,
With boots all out at the toe, toe, toe"
1 heard no answer from Joe, and
soon Tom said mockingly:
what am l offered for the hat? Bid
quick The only one left that came
out of the ark How much am 1 Of
fered? Who'll make it one dollar?"
And so itawent from day to day
Tom saying unkind, jeering things as
soon as he supposed himself out OF
sight, and Joe taking it quietly. Some
times a quicl; flush would pass Over
his face, and his lips would culver, bu
no word escaped him.
I 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 Il
think l did not know, but 1 kept hin
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
y 1 could always depend on him to tel
the truth on every occasion, and look
inc into his earnest face 1 would for
get tile baggy clothes, the fiery re,
hair and the ragged hat.
Not far from the schoolhouse was
wide, deep stream Of water, which RAJ
dank and turbid in the spring. 1t wa
crossed by a footbridge with a railin