The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-02-06
A CERTAIN POTATO.

1t was hot day, and Mr.. Ball and
his two boys, Tom and Joe, had been
digging potatoes all the morning.
Now, at noon, they sat under the big
chestnut tree, eating their lunch.
'If we work smart, we shall get
'em picked up by 3 O'clock" said
Tom.
"Oh, father, If we do, can we have
the rest Of the afternoon to work on
our boat?" asked Joe.
why, yes. You've been good boys
to stick so close to this job, and /
guess you deserve little play spell"
Il wish we could afford TO keep
man." grumbled Joe.
eff Jack hadn't got loose that night
he couldn't have eaten meal enough
to kill himself, and we should have
had the two hundred dollars for him
the next day." said Tom; then we
should have had man this sum-
mer."
eyes" said Mr.. Ball. Jack made
it hard year for us; but you boys
have been brave, and we shall soon
be on our feet again..
who's that climbing over the
fence?" he asked, sitting up.
'Why, it's jennie! What d'you
s'pose she wants?" said Joe.
I'm afraid something's wrong at
home" said Mr.. Ball, anxiously.
Mother would never send her so far
alone unless it was something i'm
portant."
By this time Jennie was near
enough to them to see that she had
letter in her hand.
Tom ran to meet her, and in few
minutes they knew that Uncle limo
thy was coming that very day, and
must be met at Centerville, the near
est railway station.
Uncle Timothy had not visited his
brother before since the twins were
babies, and it was an open secret
that the rich city uncle, who had no
son of his own, wanted to take one
Of his nephews to educate and train
up in his business.
I'm sorry to leave you, boys"
said Mr.. Ball, "but you can get the
potatoes picked up by o'clock, and
your play spell will have to come
some other day"
That's all right, father" answer
ed Tom, cheerfully.
Joe dug his bare toes into the soft
ground and said nothing.
ooh, by the way, boys!" called Mr..
Ball, as he started across the field,
''there is certain potato l meant to
look for. Bring it home. If you find
it."
What do you suppose he meant by
that?" asked Tom.
ooh, 1t was just one Of his jokes,
said Joe.
"No, he meant something, and I'm
going to find out what, If I cam"
said Tom. "Come on. Joe. let's get
at it."
"Go chase yourself!" answered
Joe, GROSSLY. T'm hot and tired, and
Pm going to get good and rested be-
fore I begin again"
"Well, then. goodbye, lazy bones,
for we shall have to sprint if we fin
ish before supper-ime."
Several bags were filled and tied
up before Joe felt rested enough to
Help, and even then his work was
'tsteady by jerks" as his brother told
Him. At last from Centerville came
the faint sound of the 6 o'clock whis-
tie.
Joe Strengthened himself up, and
called: eSix O'Clock, Tom! I'm go
Ing to quit"
eeWhy, we can't quit till all the po-
tatoes are picked up!" answered
Tom, with one hand on his stiff back.
Can't What's to hinder, I'd like
to know? Father didn't say they'd
got to be done tonight. and besides,
they'll be home pretty quick, now,
and Uncle Timothy amt going to
catch me looking like this, now, tell
you! First impressions, you know
ma says he was always awful par
ticular about his clothes" admitted
Tom, "but father expected us to fin
ish this job. Come on, Joe," he add
ed, coaxingly, sit won't take long
now"
seNo, stree, not if know myself.
I'm going to look out for number
ane. Goodbye, old plodder," he call
cd, as he climbed the fence. you'll
be sorry you didn't come, too, when
you see me start for the city"
Poor Tom! He did want the. prom
fssd education, and Joe would Ger