Joe's Luck
Horatio Alger
Paperback
(CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, April 3, 2014)
"Come here, you Joe, and be quick about it!" The boy addressed, a stout boy of fifteen, with an honest, sun-browned face, looked calmly at the speaker. "What's wanted?" he asked. "Brush me off, and don't be all day about it!" said Oscar Norton impatiently. Joe's blue eyes flashed indignantly at the tone of the other. "You can brush yourself off," he answered independently. "What do you mean by your impudence?" demanded Oscar angrily. "Have you turned lazy all at once?" "No," said Joe firmly, "but I don't choose to be ordered round by you." "What's up, I wonder? Ain't you our servant?" "I am not your servant, though your father is my employer." "Then you are bound to obey meโhis son." "I don't see it." "Then you'd better, if you know what's best for yourself. Are you going to brush me off?" "No." "Look out! I can get my father to turn you off." "You may try if you want to." Oscar, much incensed, went to his father to report Joe's insubordination. While he is absent, a few words of explanation will enlighten the reader as to Joe's history and present position.