Show ir IT AA JOES STORY j t 2 dy JANE GORDON ac 1923 western newspaper Newt paper U ion 01 I 1 cai cane ie out into the garden mid and 6 JO lo 10 I 1 ed down the read in III jol s honest e ees es was an exi elires rl slon sion of wistful longing not unlike the huit look of ted the dog wh when n re proved for but joe JG eha e had im not been ie I 1 it 11 eie was no nol one i tue t I 1 jeh ili tu to rel reprove rove hift aly or even ev en to syi it 11 in III I 1 Is loneliness joe was vias quite alone no only in these hills which stretched so far before but joe was alone in the world ile cou id not remember his mother and th tha memories he had bad of his father were not pleasant A stern forbid ling man j joes father now dead joe recalled tl it e endless doing of tasks about the farm I 1 ome but he could recall no DO V x word of kindly appreciation j early he had been obliged to go out like lads of olden story to earn his living adventurously or not one spa son joe I 1 ad traveled with a small opera troupe trying to make dise of his talent for music the violin which was his solace was not his A fortune some way I 1 e managed to get to college for the profession of ana jw engineer was his goal and at college as he lie still worked and later taught re comp lIshing that which alone had seemed impossible then came the tragedy the college doctor dealt un S happily the cruel blow joe 8 9 lungs v were ere no good too much night work added to steady day work the elderly man pronounced there was one hopeful promise mountain air and rest so joe alone had found hia his way to f r the high hills to solitude in a deserted cottage shabby and unfurnished 4 the garden flourished tor for it wae was there that the lonely man sought heal s ing from nature as he labored in the 4 sun ills pride was his flock of white p 4 hens joes chickens became to him a understanding friends yielding pays ment for interested care cut but oh tha the lonell loneliness ness and longing that was ever 1 unsatisfied who in among strangers might be found to bear him company in his difficult retreat he ile had not gone to visit the doctor again tor for rail road mad fare cost money which he could not spare joe knew that he was growing stronger his own physician in a test of climbing hills and further tests of endurance and so he measured his days ot hope as strength grew it if one i day he might once more take a try a Is at that career long dreamed of and labored for to plan great bridges to carve tunnels tl rough the earth to achieve I 1 lie ile had renounced that happier dream which Is a young man 3 right of a home home which he had hardly known of a w knife ife gentle dea a pendent who might learn to love a broken man who might care to make the sacrifice and so had grown joe a eyes wistful with the sorrow of all renunciation the sun sank down behind tl it e near est st hill the marigolds reflecting its light the shabby old door of the old house stood open inviting to his soil tary meal then the gate creaked was drawn dravin noisily back A young woman stood smiling beneath the maple tree she looked very much like charming maids he had admired upon magazine covers she came toward him k how do you do to remarked the maid mald are you tire man who supplies the store in the village with white fresh eggs 11 joe with a recollection of college manner admitted the fact then said the oung young lady mayji may I 1 have a few dozen they were out at the store and I 1 ive ve driven and walked all the way up had to leaver my car you know where the broadi road stops she could not know that joe joes a sl 61 lence was v as born of joy in the presence of one of that world from which he I 1 had been exiled so she went on in her mr agreeable voice to explain 70 my father is stopping at the inn 20 its a wretched stopping place and 0 he Is III the doctor ordered plenty ot of fifis milk with eggs father rather the girl bald said has charge of this engineering project through the mountain 4 V t joe came to himself together the 1 I two gathered the eggs together they robbed the garden of its choicest blooms and led on by his visitors eltora vi interested sympathy and by his pent up longing joe told the story of his big a disappointment and of his banishment the blue eyes of the listener were very lovely in their concern the following morning found her again at the gate of joe a garden her father the noted engineer was with her and vey tl ey lingered companionably exchanging confidences autumn s red had changed the moun tain trees a second time before the trio again entered between the rows of tangled brush the shabby house was unoccupied now and echoed silence ral the elderly engineer smoked content 14 odly while joe a broad shouldered happy joe and the girl of the blue blued ces wandered man dered about the familiar place a jlou joyous do dog beside them think the boung oung woman said if that day I 1 had not happened to come up here for the eggs I 1 might never have met you oh joe joel I 1 but you did come her husband eald said bringing love and good fortune in your dear hands for if I 1 dont don t S prove the best assistant engineer your father has ever had it wont be lay MY fault the sun went down victoriously behind the nearest hill bill joe 1 as to know loneliness so more A |