The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-07
THE STORY or A PLUCKY
TOWN BOY"
In THE HARVEST FIELD.
Written for The State Journal.

delicate. fair-faced boy of about fifteen
summers
WHAT exclaimed mamma. facing
about with a look of amazement why.
child. where would you go?"
| "Oh. somewhere. out in western Kan
sas where they have raised SO much
wheat this year. heard some men
| talking this morning, and they say
there is such a demand for help they
are hiring boys as we'll as men, and
paying big wages, too. Just think,
mamma says young hopeful as he
sees q look of anxiety fit over his moth
er's careworn face, Z may strike it
automobile. You know it will cost me
forty dollars for a small motor for it:
and think of the money I can earn de-
| livering packages when I get it fin
enthusiasm. as in fancy he pictures
the end of his two years work and
study on his invention.
But the mother hesitated. 20 well,''
/ said She Tets not talk about it. Why,
think of it. son; you have never been
away from me before. T should be
worried to death. | could only imagine
something dreadful would happen to
you. A horse might kick you; you
might be injured by some of that mon
strous machinery they have nowadays;
or get overcome with heat; maybe get
SICK and cause a big expense getting
you home. I can't see the good of it,
son. Try to get something to do here
| "Oh. but I want to CO." said the boy,
as with reddening cheeks he arose, TAX
| ing his hat. and left the house to do
his mothers bidding-"hunt a job
The mother loked after his retreating
form with loving tenderness. which
turned to one of perDlexity as he dis
appeared from view. Then sitting down
AID bowling her face upon her hand she
| thought long and earnestly of this
project of her boys. Her thoughts
turned backward, and 1t seemed but
a few DAYS since this same boy was a
little blue-eyed fodder at her knee.
Then all was quiet, content and happi-
ness. Great plans had been 1aid for
changes had taken place in his life as
well as in her own. How she had re-
lied on him for the last five years! He
had been bread-winner since he was
ten years old. but he had always been
under her care and guardianship.
Il don't believe it is for the BEST
and the mother sighed.
tHeigh. no! What's the matter? You
look as if you had been having a bad
dream. Come, get your hat and go
with us to see the flood sights You
know I must return home tomorrow, so
mother and 1 thought we had better
take them in today. But why SO glum.
sister mine?''
well. you know Robert is bent on
going to the harvest fields. and dis
like to let him CO."
20 tut Let him go by all means"
said grandma and auntie in chorus. 'It
Will do him good. 1t is just what he
needs. The pure air. good food. water.
and outdoor exercise are Just the things
] to develop him. He is a level-headed
boy, and takes well with everyone. You
lneed not fear but he'll get along we'll"
I would send him by all MEANS"
continued grandma. IF he only makes
his expenses the experience will aid
him greatly and the outing will be a
benefit to him.
After a. few. days of anxious thought
on the mothers paft and several I'M
successful attempts at getting employ
ment on the part of the son, the sub
ject of the boys going to the harvest
fields was again brought up.
We'll. my boy. I have made up my
mind to let you go to the harvest
/ % mammal have you?" he cried joy
ously. as he flung his arms about her
what I came in to see about I was
talking to Mr.. W, the agent, this
morning. and he says had better go
at once They are shipping men to
Pawnee and Ellis counties today
Well. now" returned the mother. '1
don't know whether you can go today
or not. / an pretty short of money at
present. You viii have to have a few
things suitable for working in the hot
leava?.-
AT $780,
why. honey, it is $50 now. You
can never get ready in time
% yes I can. mamma. You go up
and get me a big straw hat, ovsralls
and dark shirt while I will run in
and pack my grip
BE sure and put in plenty of hand
kerchiefs ard stockings" she called
after him as he ran.
Hurrying ON and making her small
purchases, she was soon waiting to go
with her boy to the Free Employment
Agency Then it occurred to her that
he would require some lunch, and going
across the street she procured some
sandwiches and fruit, also some lemons,
as she had been told the water out west
was bad. and lemons were good for
thirst. The extra clothing and lemons
were put away in the telescope and
mother and son were soon hurrying the
final arrangements at the agency, as it
was nearing the time for the gang to
depart.
They were soon at the Auditorium,
where the boy in high glee, ushered his
mother into the sanctun Of the employ
ment agent, who had informed him that
, he must interview the mother before
allowing him a transportation order.
The agent who proved to be a very
pleasant hammered, kindly spoken man,
talked at some length with the worried
mother who somewhat nervous, timidly
laid her fears before him.
"Ah," said he with a genial smile,
don't you worry about that boy. He
is bright. honest fellow and will make
his way anywhere in the world
I Thus assured the mother was some
what reconciled and after few sug-
gestions as to care of his health and
general welfare, the mother kissed her
boy goodby. and he sped away to the
great harvest fields of western Kansas.
The mother did not expect to hear from
him for week as she thought he prob
I ably would not secure work at once.
; But" she said to herself. 9TH be
brave and not worry and trust that
God will take care of my boy" I'm
t agine her surprise when the day follow
ing the next she received a letter from
! him, stating he had gone to work on
l the state experiment farm. Thus the
, letter ran:
Dear Mother: I have a fine place and
: like it splendid: am so glad [ came The
. work is just like play. All have to do is
to ride the lead horse on the binder. and