Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-03-19
CHAPTER Nv.

ed to Winterfield for Christmas; and
from that time began Rourke's open dar-
ing rivalry of the possessor of his old
home. Everything that Newley did at
Hohve was, as Rourke had said it should
be. outdone at Winterfeld. If Newley
had at all imagined it would be easy
to eclipse the late squire. that imagina-
ton could have lasted but a very short
time. Whatever he might attempt, or
successfully carry out. at Howe. was
presently excelled by something originated
by Rourke at Winterfeld.
Thus the summer went on. but the most
prievous thing Of all was to see that, as
Newiay increased his expenditure by every
Unsuitable means at llohve. Rourke in
creased his at a still more rapid pace at
Winterfield. Again and again would one
of his real friends endeavor to arrest him
in his random career, but arguments seem
ed of little use.
1.-THE cases are SO different" they would
saw. ''Newley, with more none at his
command than he knows what to do with.
may safely try his experiments and carry
out his whims: but you, with the i'm
measurably smaller means, leave these far
behind and rush into what shall totally
eclipse them. So, having the higher
tastes, as well as the lower funds, the
expense to you is simply ruinous."
$50 are other things would Rourke
say carelessly; ut will all be the same
in a hundred years"
A lie which has been, and will be, the
corner stone of a an edifice Of self
destruction.
You will have to retrench rapidly if
you are to keep your head above water
much longer, Mr.. Trenham," his lawyers
would say, in a tone meant to be all
convincing and Rourke would answer
that it was all right and he would re-
trench-presently.
Newley had the estate for life and
if he, Rourke, could not pay his own
| debts, his sons would do so for him.
Even if that thief went on selling the
| timber through all the time of his occu-
| patton, Hohve would still be the most val
liable estate in the county, and Winter
field itself by that time would be worth
| talking of-all thanks be due TO Mr..
Bartle. as Trenham would add, with the
| touch of pathos which, belonged to him.
So all advice and. arguments fell to the
ground, not even taking root there, as
some will when most neglected, to flourish
| after the seed is forgotten. 1t was quite
true that the farm was fourishing under
the watchful, never-tiring care of Abram
Bartle. Never did the old man utter a
word of WEAKNESS and hopelessness, as
he worked and planned at Winterield
during that anxious year: and never did
a cloud, save Of a moments width, per-
haps, come between the two who had al
ways been so frank, INC gentle. and loving
together. Even Athol bad never the
heart to dissuade the old farmer from
his self-imposed task. though he saw that
the responsibility and the restlessness told
Upon him. How could he. when it was so
plain to him that this constant inter
course with the pure, simple, healthful
mind Of his uncle was one of Rourke's
surest safeguards now and that the old
mans happiest thought was that he was
necessary to his boy? AS for doing him
good, such a thought was far indeed from
Abram in his humility.
"Rourke," he would say sometimes,
you will likely be fond of farming all
your life, dear lad so it is better for you
to master it all as soon as you can. To
do that now, and have help further on,
is better than having a little ready money
now, before you're farmer enough to in
vest it in the very best way isn't itY'
And Rourke--not in the slightest un-
derstanding to what the old man alluded,
because he had never thought of him in
old times but as a comparatively poor
man-would say, without much thought
upon the matter, that of course it was
far better.
1t was On a calm September morning
Q few weeks after this that Miss Shed.