The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-02-02

for a neighbor Who would pay her
W for 1t. Matilda often earned
family's knowledge.
she was making the tea when Hugo
camc in. When he put his arm about
her n kissed her his face felt fresh
and cold. He looked all vigor and
courage n energy and youthful
hope.
Well, mother" he said. 1--WE been
playing Othcllo again. My occupations
gone"
Comet" Matilda caught her breath.
"How-what-?"
Let me tell. You. Set the tea back
and listen. 1 was keeping the books
as usual this afternoon when Dick
Mcleod came in to pay a bill. You
remember Dick? We went to school
together. What you doing cooped up
IN here like this? Your place is out
on the SOIL he said. and he laid a
sprig of pussy willow on my desk.
Mother, something went off in my.
heart like a spring, and suddenly /
knew what was the matter with me
why. 1 could v stick to indoor
work. l wanted to be out OF doors. 1
guess I've inherited more farmers
EYER reckoned on. Come on said
Dick, let me sell my place to you.
I'm going west You know Dick got
his place from his father. I've STAYED
week-ends there daanv, a time and I
know it-welI, .tHat way you know this
floor. You've seyn it, too. It came
was talking and telling me he'd give
ME easy terms If Id only take the
farm Off his hands and set him free.
He's no born farmer, but I've always
envied him. Well, mother, I left my
desk ana went home with Dick and
ooked things over and talked things
over. told Dick finally that I'd
know tomorrow. Then walked
home-the whole four miles-on air.
Dick said. mother, he'd le..ie me the
farm with privilege to buy when 1
could; It's a good offer. This is no
impulse, no boyish enthusiasm,
mother It's the thing I've been crop
town. See what the towns done to
father; and God knows l don't want
TO be like him. Not nut what I'm
better poised artd got more will ~ower
than father ever had He's a signpost
an right. When / look al him l see
what l shan't be. And do You know.
,mosner; sometimes think father had
iuhll!ed his destiny in just that way
by showing me the things I must
shnn:" lie paused, signing. Poor old
father! Where is he:"
In there-smoking.'
I've brought him a paper of To-
bacco,' Hugo said ""I'll 60 in and
give 1t to him. Mother, you think
over this farm proposition. Think
hard. for it's up to you and to me,
Well have to pull together, you see.
There's no one to help us" He ca.
ressed her cheek. smiling.
Matilda's face was full Of light. She
was realizing many things suddenly.
Hugo night look like his father, but
Wlthin he was hers-all hers, through
II through. Two vases may be of
the same pattern, but one may hold
flowers and the other weeds. There
were no weeds in Hugo's nature. She
would not tell him vet how he
pleased her, how to see her son n
clean, healthy farmer as the men of
her W family had been for genera
tons was the dearest wish Of her
IRE. But by and by she would tell
MIN. She drew his head down and
kissed him. Then she said very
II guess VIC don't need ANYBODY to
help us. haven't forgotten all I
Know abou a farm. Farm knowledge
was bred in the bone with me. And
/ guess it is with You, too, Hugo.
There, go give your father his to.
2acco And then I'll get supper on