J. COLE. 29

Joe was also much afraid of having to wait
at table when there were guests. In spite
of all I could do, he was hopelessly nervous
and confused when he had to wait on more
than two or three people; and as I expected
to entertain a good deal when we were in
town, I could not help fearing Joe would be
unequal to the duties.

I could not bear the idea of parting with
the little fellow, for, added to his good dis-
position, Joe, in his dark brown livery, with
gilt buttons, his neat little ties, and clean
hands ; his carefully brushed curls, by this time
trained into better order, and shining like bur-
nished gold in the sun; his tiny feet, with
the favorite red socks, which he could and
did darn very neatly himself when they be-
gan to wear out (and when he bought new
ones they were always bright red), — Joe, let
me tell you, was quite an ornament in our
establishment, and the envy of several boys
living in families round about, who tried in
vain to get acquainted with him, but he would
not be friends, although he always refused
their advances with civil words.