The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1897-09-16
Bennie's Sweet Potatoes.

Bennie's Sweet Potatoes.
Inc little farm on which Bonnie
lived with his mamma and sister Bes-
sic did not look well that summer.
1T is all going to rack and ruin"
sighed Mrs. Hudson, Bennie's mamma.
when she looked at the neglected
fields.
Bennfe's papa had died in the fall,
and there had been no money to hire
help. Bonnie had felt very badly be-
cause they could plant no sweet pota-
toes. He was very fond of them, and
besides he had helped his papa so
much with them the year before he
felt that he knew all about them. He
watched Mr.. Leonard put in two acres
with great deal of interest and some
envy.
Mr.. Leonard was the new school
teacher, young man who was not
very well, and did little farming out
side of school hours for the sake of his
health. His tract of land was between
Bennie's home and the schoolhouse,
so Bonnie often had an opportunity to
watch him at work.
One Saturday, in the fall, Bonnie
walked over to the fence and looked
through at the sweet potato patch; he
had been watching the green vines
creeping over the sandy ridges all sum-
mer, and he thought they were about
ready to dig.
It seemed Mr.. Leonard thought so,
too, for he was busy, down on his
hands and knees, and had already
made considerable progress, being half
through with the patch.
But Bonnie perched himself upon the
fence and looked at him in wide-eyed
wonder, for Mr.. Leonard used no spade
or pitchfork, but taking hold of the
vines with his hands he pulled them
up as though they were radishes or tur-
nips. Now Bonnie knew that he left
the largest and best ones in the ground
this way, but he thought that such a
wise young man as the school teacher
must surely know it, too.
field again." thought Bennie, and as
mamma called him to dinner then. he
went away and did not say anything
But in the afternoon he came back, and
watched Mr.. Leonard finish pulling the
vines.
Nov, then, am through-all but
gathering them up" said he, looking
at Bonnie, who was on top Of the
fence.
Bonnie turned red under his freckles,
but he managed to say: 'Whyee, Mr.
Leonard! the best potatoes are all in
the ground yet"
20 no, Benniev' laughed Mr.. Leon
ard, II pulled them all up"
! But the biggest ones are in the
ground" said Bonnie, although he did
mot like to dispute with his teacher.
Nonsense, Bennie" said Mr.. Leon
ard. Then, as he noticed the earnest
little face. he said, Come and see if
you can find any in the ground. I'll
give you every one you find. my little
man.
20 Mr.. Leonardo cried Bonnie. Then
he jumped down from the fence and
went to digging like little beaver in
the first hole he came to. Soon he
uncovered and laid before his aston
ished teacher three large, smooth
skinned, yellow potatoes.
"Why-ee. Bennie!" said Mr.. Leon
ard. Then he laughed aloud. You are
a better farmer than run home and
get a sack-I said you could have all
you found in the ground"
Bonnie ran home. 20, mamma"
he said, "let me have big sack.
quick. and let Bessie come too," and
then he told her all about it.
Mamma gave him the sack, and Bes-
sic ran OF by his side. They dug all
the afternoon and until after shutdown.
What lot there were! Why. they
had more than Mr.. Leonard!
You will have to run home and
get more sacks. Bennie," said he.
%, no. 1 don't want but one sack;
I do not think it would be fair to take
them all. You did not know how many
there were" answered Bonnie.
At last, he consented to take half
the potatoes. and Mr.. Leonard helped
him carry them home.
IF farm any next year l am going
to take Bonnie for my partner" he told
Mrs. Hudson And Bonnie and Bessie
had sweet potatoes for their supper
The Youths Companion.
ru,~v's Going Home.