Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1885 — “Who was Joe?” asked the visitor. [ARTICLE]

“Who was Joe?” asked the visitor.

“A little fellow,” said the matron, “who came to us when he was but six years old. He was a hump-back and a cripple, never having grown after he was five. He was a bright, pushing little fellow, and a very affectionate child. He slept here and took most of his meals here. That is his chair. I I gave it to him. The superintendent said I favored him. Well, I was fond of Joe.

“We have a savings bank into which the boys put their pennies or dimes every week. It gives them the habit of economy. Joe began saving when he first came to ns. He would bring his five or ten cents every Saturday, laughing. “ ‘I am saving np to have a home of my own when I am grown up,’ he would say. “He had neither father nor mother, nor any kinsfolk, and I don’t know what was the boy’s idea of a home of his own. He was very happy here—a sort of ruler among the other boys. Yet he went on saving, and always for that purpose.

“He was never a strong boy, and when he was sixteen a heavy cold he took went to his lungs. It only needed a day or two to make an end of his poor little body. One day he said to me, just after the clergyman had been with him: “ ‘ That money I’ve saved it will be enough to pay the doctor and buy a coffin for me.’ “ ‘But, Joe,’l said, ‘how about the home of your own ? ’ “He did not answer me at first, and then he smiled, saying, ‘That’s all right! ’ and he held my hand tight. ‘l’ll have it. That’s all right.’ “The next day it was all over. We took Joe’s money and paid the doctor and bought him a coffin. It didn’t need a big one. The boys clubbed together, giving ten cents each, and bought him a lovely pillow of white roses, with ‘Our Joe’ upon it. Every boy got a tag of black on his arm to go to the funeral. He had his own home then, sir. But wherever he was, I think the roses pleased him.” She fell behind as we passed on and dusted little Joe’e chair with her apron, setting it reverently apart into a quiet corner.