Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-06-30
CHAPTER XIII.

oftAI En- Nil.
In Which Ned Plans For The Future
Ned graduated with due honor, be-
ing the valedictorian of his class. a
position awarded him for high rank in
both scholarship and department. His
theme, Natures Secrets was consd-
cred a masterpiece by all who heard
il, and, as he left the platform, con-
trary 10 the usual custom. there was
warm applause One face was alb
sent from his class on this closing day,
and that was Wilkes. He had been
dropped. his scholarship and deport-
ment having fallen below the neces-
sary rank AS Ned passed out of the
school room when the exercises were
over he received much congTatuiation
over his success, but no words of COM
mendation so moved his heart as the
happy smile on his mothers face and
HIS fathers look OF approval
Not long after the graduating exer-
cises. as Mr. Sharp was driving along
the highway adjoining that part OF
his fam farthest from his residence
he saw Ned standing on a knoll which
overlooked a very rough piece OF land,
which Mr.. Sharp had never thought
an acre in the lot where Ned stood
which was separated from the low
land by the highway This lot was
common pasture land, but OF good
quality and could be easily worked.
But the land below vas apparently
valueless. Here and there great
punches OF laurel grew thick III tangl-
ed masses: in fact nearly an acre was
.N.I 49, 4. l..
was covered with a thick growth OF
young birches. but they were not large
enough for wood Still another part
which bordered a brook. was covered
with eders, ana the remalroer was
covered with bareback and small
shrubs.
What are you looking at" at
length asked Mr.. Sharp, amused at the
lntentness of Ned's observations.
"Oh, Mr.. Sharp, is IL really you? Is
not this strip OF land yours?" exclaim-
ed Ned
at is, Ned; and am really ashamed
OF It, 1t is the only useless piece OF
ground | have 1t does not grow wood
nor hay, or bear fruit II is so tangled
down there with Spoon-hunts' that
even a calf could not get through, If
there was grass enough to make pas
turage in other parts OF the lot.
What are you going TO do with it?'
queried Ned, trying not TO show the
anxiety that was really burning with
in him.
do with it?" said Mr.. Sharp.
Yes. Shall you ever utilize it?"
responded Ned
Il guess not" laughed Mr. Sharp.
What could do with it,"
You might sell il, said Ned.
81 do not know OF any one that
would be fool enough TO buy IL" said
Mr.. Sharp, without they took the
farm and had it thrown in as il was In
my case
Il will buy it. sir said Ned. leav-
ing his high perch and coming down
towards the wagon.
You buy it, questioned Mr.. Sharp
in surprise.
Yes. If I can get it at fair price"
said Ned
What do you want OF it. Ned"
That is my secret, sir. was the re-
ply.
But. Ned you ought not to buy It.
tell you the land is worthless
thought you had more shrewdness,"
continued Mr.. Sharp.
But / want that piece OF land, Mr.
Sharp, and am willing 10 pay for it,
and | wish the knoll above the road
too" said Ned
There might be some sense in buy
ing that lot" replied Mr.. Sharp. FOR
in time you might be sure of getting
one acre of good land"
How many acres are there" Quer-
led Ned
There is one acre above the road
and five below" replied Mr.. Sharp.
What will you take for it?" persist
ed Ned
Have you spoken to your father
about it. Ned?" asked Mr. Sharp.
mo, sir" replied Ned. 1t is my
speculation. Three years ago father
gave me the use OF my little farm 10
do as | choose with. He said ! night
do as chose with IL. and what | made
from il | was TO have for mine 20 spec
ulate with as I chose lie wished Inc
20 work out my own problems II
was shrewd. he said. 1 might mskr
quite a little sum before ! was OF age
and IL I was not he warned me that |
might be worth nothing at that time.
He said he would advise me IL asked,
but he intimated better go on my
own account VIII you sell me tho
land2"
Il can't tell you now, Ned. | will
let you know before Saturday" said
Mr.. Sharp. and he drove away and left
Ned working his way into the brush.