The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-10

The longest life is not the completest
life. Often the short life of little
child is a greater blessing to the world
than the career of one to whom is al
lotted the span of three score and ten.
From the Barium Springs, N. c., Or
phanage (Presbyterian) comes a real
story of short life that is more beau
tiful than anything in fiction. 1t is a
story of how an orphan boy, by reason
of a great idea, though dead yet speak
ethan humble child, for whom me
mortal is to be erected that will endure
The memorial is one which the Oldest
saint might covet-an honor that would
give fame to the greatest divine in the
church. 1t is reserved, however, not for
the great and the famous, but for Lit
tie Joe" because a reat and good idea
dominated his young life. How great a
thing is a noble ambition-even though,
to human eye, seem impossible OF
achievement.
THE STORY OF LITTLE JoE'S LIFE.
"Our Fatherless Ones" published
monthly by the Barium Springs Orphan
age, for February, gives the story of
Little Joes life, as follows:
'On Sunday morning the first day of
February, God took our little Joe home
to Himself In all the history of the
Home we have never had a greater
shock
He had not been we'll for several
days, but as he had no fever was bright
and happy and able TO sit up most OF the
time, we did not feel uneasy about him.
On Saturday he seemed better and sat up
all day.
Sunday morning when the other boys
were getting up he begged to get up too,
but as he didn't seem quite so strong as
the day before We thought it best not to
let him get up, but told him that a place
would be fixed for him down stairs.
Zone of the big brothers was waiting
with him to carry him down when the
place should be ready. He noticed that
Joe closed his eyes and seemed to be go
ing to sleep. He took him up and car
ried MIN down, but it was our dear lit
tie boys last sleep. In less than three
minutes his heart was still and his
breathing hushed. Nothing we could do
would bring the little soul back and the
awful hush of a great sorrow settled
down over the Home.
I'VE feel sure that many of our friends
in different parts of the State have learn
ed to know and love our little Joe.
''The letter he wrote Santa Slaus at
Christmas reached so many loving
hearts. We want to thank them again
for making his last Christmas here such
a glorious one.
''Joe's disposition was lovely one and
his little life a beautiful lesson to us
all. One day not long ago one of the big
sisters was teaching Joe his catechism.
she told him, to say, The Devil tempted
Eve and she gave the fruit to Adam lin
answer to the question Who tempted
them to eat the forbidden fruit?), but
Joe refused to say it. She insisted but
Joe was not to be persuaded. When she
asked him why he wouldn't say it he
said: because it is bad word To his
pure little soul, devil sounded profane,
and so it couldn't pass his lips When
she told him to say Satan he did so and
went on with his cateehism.
'As we came back from the dining hall
after supper Joe nearly always talked
about the stars. He never could under
stand where they staid in day time. And
All, how well we remember his turning