Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-10-17
Ohe Star Coddie of
Meodot0tTeld
by Douglas z. Dots.
esssts AIessssesae

TITLE Jamie Mcleod, the young
IL son of the Scotch farmer whose
stock farm ran parallel to the Mead
owfeld golf course, despite his name
and his sandy hair, was truly u
Yankee.
Mcleod senior was n widower; he
was also n miser of the most pro-
nounced type, and poor jamie led
anything but "A joyous existence till
that day when young Tom Wetherby,
the club champion, hired him as n
caddie.
Jamie had TO exist on n diet OF po-
tatoes and oatmeal and not any too
much of either. He was allowed to
go to school IN the forenoon, but aft
ernoon he was forced to mind the
cows and do numberless chores about
the farm.
The fourteenth hole lay alongside
OF McLeod's cattle yard and n high
fence separated the two. On an av-
ernge about two golf balls day
dropped In on the farmers side, and
he never would allow any OF the play
ers or the caddies TO climb the fence,
for the balls sold for ten cents apiece
in the village.
Jamie had reached that age when
ho began to be ashamed OF his tat
tered clothes and rebellious in heart
that his father never allowed him
cent OF spending money. The last
straw was when no had sold a pair
OF baby rabbits OF his own raising,
and the farmer made him turn over
the proceeds to him.
That's my money and ! mean TO
keep i'll" jamie had said In his de.
liberate way.
"Fm your father, and you'll have
10 do as | sayl" retorted the old man,
and his eyes travelled significantly
from the boy 20 the handy strap.
Poor jamie had already felt the
sting OF the strap once that day, so
he decided discretion was the better
part of valor, and remarked; ia
ther, supposin' could hire out TO
work for somebody, would you let
me?"
"Ef anyone is fool enough to hire
shiftless, good-fer-nothin' chap like
you, might let yer go, providin' you
pny me for yer board and lodgin';
seem your my son, wen say three
dollars n weeki"
Tom Wetherby was practicing on
new putting green the next after
noon, when ragged urchin walked
timidly up and touched his cap.
"Pardon. siri" he said. but do
you want to hire caddie?"
Now, II so happened that Wethcrby
was searching for good caddie, 80
he looked the caddie over critically.
Go home and fix yourself up In
some respectable clothes, and | will
think about 81" he replied bit
sharply, and he went ON prncticing.
Presently he glanced up from his
play and saw the boy sitting with his
back TO bg elm, and gazing for
lOrnly at his ragged shoes.
There was something so abject in
the droop OF the boys head that
Wetherby strolled over to the lad
swell, younRster," he remarked,
kindly, WY don't you do as | sug-
gested2"
81 haven't got any other clothes"
said the boy, wearily. These is all
l got"
Wetherhy took notice then, for the
first time, OF the boys face that
shone from soap and water; OF his
curly brown hair that had been
brushed with scrupulous care.
whats your nameG" asked Weth.
crby.
Jamie Mcleod, sir"
What The son of old miser Nc.
Leod" cried the other Poor M.
tie chap; so that's the way Of It! I'll
give you u try. III pay you three
dollars a week TO start n you prove
success I'll make 1t four. How's
that2"
The boys face had grown fairly
radiant with joy; then suddenly the
light went out OF his eyes.
81 s'posc don't look it," he said.
wocfully
30, that's all right" said the man
chccrfully I'u give YOU couple ~
weeks pay in advance That ought
10 pretty well hI you up, hadn't it2"