Catoctin clarion., 1921-11-24
Little Joe's
Grand Idea
By FREDERICK CLARKE.

wish him an earnest God-speed when
he left Hiverdsle. Mercy barrow
bade him adieu through swimming
eyes, bur she had given him words Of
blissful cheer and comfort. Little Joe
DOckrill. cripple as he was. lifted him
self on his crutches and waved en-
c0uragingly and hopefully.
you know what Is best. DEAR" Wak
ter's tdancee had told him. If you
think the prospects In the city are en-
couraging, you should 60 there"
1T Is only for q yeur. sweetheart"
said Walter. You and your parents
are practically dependent on your mar
ried sister. All | huve Is the lot and
the old house, ready to fall down any
day. could not think of taking you
there"
1T would be home with you, any
where, DEAR" declared Mercy bravely.
"Yes. but the old folks have COM
Portable home. | stuck to father from
q sense Of duty, because he was At
tsched to the old place. II can get
enough ahead to put up even small
cottage I can always earn comfort
able living. Look after little Joe, won't
you, Mercy?" 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
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
cut"
Walter Rose was not Uncle Walter
at all, although the little fellow called
him that. Joe was q waif, an orphan
city lad turned out Of charitable insti-
tuti0ns 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
old and feeble. He needed constant
attention, and took a great fancy to
the bright. jolly little stranger.
Little Joe was q faithful attendant
upon aged Mr.. Rose, and nearly the
! last smile upon the lips Of the old man
was for the lad who had so frightened
his Anal hours Oh earth.
Joe had taken q great interest in the
plans Walter had drawn for the new
house. When the latter decided to go
, to the city he wanted to arrange for
! the care Of his little charge with q
neighbor.
! mo, Uncle Walter; no. positively !"
asserted Joe. 1--WE planned II all out.
Let me stay here, only leave old Dob
bin and the wagon. l can't do much
real work. but can drive, and I'll pick
up enough odd jobs about town to keep
me comfortably and sometimes to put
aside for that famous new house
you're going to build. See II don't! !"
Walter agreed to this, but with some
reluctancy and misgivings.
Daytmes Joe drove down to
the depot and waited around for q
|
! lise or package In the old wagon. Then
he started In on what he called his
grand idea"
! Every week ne wrote TO Walter In
the city. Three times a week he drsve
| around to see Mercy. She had no time
to visit him, for she had to slave hard
to please her narrow-minded, complain
ing sister.
With the end Of the year Walter
Rose wrote that he had not done "a
well In the city as he had anticipated
He was hOmesick, however, and was
coming back to Riverdsle to be among
friends, even II he had to work u little
harder and wait little longer for that
new house.
Walter WAS puzzled at the gayety
and suppressed excitement Of little
Joe rs the latter met him at the depot
with old Dobbin and the wagon.
II had hoped when came back
here" he told his companion. that
would surely have earned and saved
enough to provide neat home nest
for Mercy and the old folks. Instead
Of that l have less than three hundred
dollars. u mere beginning. Why, what's
thatf"
Well might Walter stare! The old
place looked like q lumber yard.
ITS the result Of my grand idea !!
cried Joe proudly. You know they
are doing n lot Of tearing down and
rebuilding In the new factory town Of
Blalrsyille, eight miles away. What
you see yonder Is waste stuff thrown
away--nails that they let drop to the
ground, stone, brick and lumber that
the wrecking company crews bury or
burn up. And, say, Uncle Walter
there's enough bricks-rve counted
them--to build as fine Il house as was
ever put up In Riverdale!"
"You blessed little fellow!" said
Mercy. when an hour later she knew
that the new house was q certainty
and tears Of Joy fell upon the bright
golden head as she kissed Joe CRATE
fully.
And. lot the stone that the builders
had ratectNd had become the f0Hnda.