The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-12-23

all his father could say.
amazingly we'll, and you ought to
stand a good show for the state prize.
Pm calling a public meeting at the
courthouse next Wednesday to award
the prizes. so you better be on hand.
When they got outside Of the door
Mr.. Weston shook hands with Joe SOL
EMMY.
"Son, I'm powerful proud of ye," was
all his father could say as he placed
his hand on Joe's shoulder.
"Well. by gracious, we beat 'em!"
exclaimed Mr.. Somerville as they
reached the street. He was really more
excited than Joe was. "Come on over
and get that suit of clothes and outfit l
promised to the winner"
"Mr. Somerville. l think that suit
and l were partners on this farming
business, and somehow l believe 1t
would be best
There you are, right again! OF
course there's no harm in your taking
the suit, but l reckon it would be bet
ter to give it to the next highest man.
I'll go right back in there and tell the
professor about the suit for Oscar Hen
derson."
I'm glad we did that" said Joe as
Mr.. Somerville came out.
II am. too, but l am going to give
you a suit anyway myself"
Joe's father cleared his throat awk-
wardly.
"Mr. SOmerville, IL want to give
Joe them clo'es myself. I've been a
powerful poor daddy to a mighty fine
son, an l amt never done nothin' much
for him. He's made a little man out of
himself in spite Of me. an I've got a
little money this year for the first time
by sorter follerin' after his lead, an
l want to show that l got some intrus'
in him, anyway"
"Well. now. that's all right, and I'm
glad to resign in your favor. Tom"
II believe I'd rather have daddy give
EN- to me. Mr.. Somerville. We are get
tin to be mighty good partners now.
ourselves" smiled Joe.
"You bet we are" delightedly said
Tom Weston. I've got the best boy in
sever s~tates-an' I'm just f1ndin' it
out"
when do you reckon We'll hear from
the state prizes and those fertilizer
priest" asked Joe.
"Oh, not until some time late in
December. They've got to 60 over the
returns from eighty counties and figure
it all up. and l saw in a newspaper the
other day that there were over 1900
boys competing in this state"
II don't suppose l stand any chance
on that" said Joe.
Pretty long Odds" remarked his
father.
There's no telling; it's possible, but
not likely. l would not get my hopes up
On that. Joe. if l were you. This is do
ing well enough for one year." Mr..
Somerville was trying to prepare him
for the possible disappointment.
Il certainly did want that Washing
ton trip and to see things up there and
talk to the boss man in this agricul-
tural business"
well. son. maybe next year. with
what you've learned this year an hav-
In your ground already in good FIX. You
can beat EN- to it."
I'VE are carrying OH like I'd lost"
laughed Joe. THE thing isn't decided
that l have lost yet"
"'Nothin' like bein' prepared as the
old maid said what kept her weddin'
clothes ready fifty years in case some
Teller would ask her." replied Tom
Weston.
"What'll you take for that poor old
place we are living n Mr.. Somer-
ville?" asked Joe. after a few mo-
ments' silence. when the three had re-
turned to the store.
Lets see. There's eighty-six acres
all together
wouldn't you sell half Of It'll"
mo. couldn't do that. Tom. You
know how It lies. 1t could not well be
divided. Then the part back from tho