Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-12-08
Little Joe's
Grand Idea
----
By FREDERICK CLARKE.

There were two loyal hearts to smile
encouragingly after Walter Rose and
wish him an earnest God-speed when
he left Riverdale. Mercy barrow
babe him adieu through swimming
eyes, but she had given him words Of
blissfulf cheer and comfort. Little Joe
Dockrill, cripple as he was, lifted him
self on his crutches and waved en-
cOuraglngly and hopefully.
"You know what is best, dear" Wal
ter's tiancee had told him. IF you
think the prospects in the city are en-
| couraging, you should go there"
1T is only for year, sweetheart,
said Walter. You and your parents
are practically dependent on your mar
ried sister. All ! have is the lot and
the old house, ready to fall down any
day. could not think of taking yen'
| there"
ut would be home with you, any
where, DEAR" declared Mercy bravely.
"Yes, but the old folks have COM
| Portable home. / stuck to father from
sense of duty, because he was at
tached to the old place. If ! can get
enough ahead to put up even small
cottage l can always earn a comfort
able living. Look after little Joe, won't
you, MercyY added the stalwart hon
| est-faced fellow, with fond glance at
the little cripple.
Don't you fear!" chirped in Joe
himself valiantly. ''Ill look after my
self Why you've fitted me out like a
prince, Uncle Walter, and I'm going to
make you proud of me. I'll help get
that house up you want so bad I've
got an idea and I'm going to carry 1t
out"
Walter Rose was not "UAcle Walter
at all, although the little fellow called
him that. Joe was a waif, an orphan
city lad turned out of charitable insti-
buttons when he had outgrown the age
limit, wandering to Riverdale and was
run down by an automobile and
crippled for life.
) 1t was tender-hearted Mercy, true to
name and nature, who took him in, but
, her sister resented the intrusion. Then
: Mercy spoke to Walter about the
friendless outcast. Walter took him
to the old house. His father was very
J old and feeble. He needed constant
attention, and took a great fancy to
q the bright, jolly little stranger.
Little Joe was a faithful attendant
= upon aged Mr.. Rose, and nearly the
S last smile upon the lips of the old man
f was for the lad who had so frightened
his final hours on earth.
:" Joe had taken great interest in the
i plans Walter had drawn for the new
!. house. When the latter decided to 81
: to the city he wanted to arrange for
the care of his little charge with a
u neiGhbor.
|. mo Uncle Walter; no, positively y
asserted Joe. 1--WE planned it all out
Let me stay here, only leave old Dob
bin and the wagon. / can't do much
l. real work but can drive, and I'll pick
;. up enough odd jobs about town to keeI
me comfortably and sometimes to put
u aside for that famous new house
g you're going to build See if don't p
| Walter agreed to this, but with some
> reluctancy and misgivings.
Io Daytimes Joe drove down tC
the depot and waited around for g
g chance to haul trunk or carry va
lise or package in the old wagon. Ther
= he started in on what he called his
IS "grand ideal"
- Every week he wrote to Walter il
the city. Three times week he drove
:. around to see Mercy. She had no time
is to visit him. for she had to slave hare
tc to please her narrow-minded, complain
ing sister.
II With the end of the year Walter
lie Rose wrote that he had not done al
10 we'll in the city as he had anticipated
!. He was hOmesick, however and wal
IL coming back to Riyerdale to be amoni
n friends, even If he had to work a littlt
harder and wait little longer for tina
new house.
p Walter was puzzled at the gayet.
* and suppressed excitement of littlt
70 Joe as the latter met him at the depo
with old Dobbin and the wagon.
., Il had hoped when came bacl
III here" he told his companion, shat
e would surely have earned and save
= enough to provide a neat home mes
for Mercy and the old folks. Instea,
u of that have less than three hundre,
i. dollars, a mere beginning. Why, what
that?"
Well might Walter stare! The oil
IS place lookedNlike lumber yard.
. Its the result Of my grand idea !
% cried Joe proudly. "YOu know the,
are doing a lot Of tearing down an;
II rebuilding in the new factory town o
o. Blairsville, eight miles away. VIVA
\ you see yonder is waste stuff throw
away-nails that they let drop to tn
ground, stone, brick and lumber tina
the wreeking company crews bury o
burn up. And, say, Uncle Walter
there's enough bricks--I'vei cOunte,
: them-to build as fine house as wa