Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-12-29
"But you studied those books last

"But you studied those books last
year, ~
"Yes'm, and don't know 'em either.
I'm going right back and make it up"
= won't that put you in classes with
a lot Of boys much younger than you
are?"
Il guess it will, ma, and know the
fellows will rag me something fierce
about it, and maybe I'll have to fight
about it, but right there I'm sping be-
cause l belong there"
II kind of hate for you to do it."
unused his mother. "You ought to be
able to go in higher classes than that?"
"Oh, l reckon l could keep up, but
I'm trying to be honest with myself.
l don't know my arithmetic, and /
don't know grammar, and don't know
how to spell didn't study like 1
ought to have done when l was there
before, so it's for my own good"
what started you on such an idea.
Joe?"
THE president. When he told me
goodby he looked me right in the eyes
and said, Whatever happens, always
be honest and absolutely square with
YOURSELF So I got to thinking about
1t. hadn't been honest with myself
the last year 1 was in school because
skinned, and it wasn't honest to the
teacher either. I'm going back and
make it good"
1t took a good deal Of courage to go
to the teacher and be placed in classes
with boys three and four years young
er than himself, but Joe took his med
icine like man. OF course he was
guyed, but he took it good humoredly.
That's all right. Go ahead, you
fellows, and have all the fun out of it
you can. I'm paying for not studying.
If you'd tell the truth about it q lot
of you would be right in this class
with me. Go ahead. I've got it COM
ing to me, and it don't make me mad"
He grinned amiably at their chaff-
ing, and when the boys found he
would not lose his temper over it they
let him alone.
The second week after he started to
school the county Superintendent of
education came over to start the Boys
Corn club again and to get ready for
the approaching season. Somehow
there seemed to be an utter lack of en-
thusiasm among the boys. They did
not applaud his utterances, and only
a few of them went forward and sign.
ed the roll.
what on earth is the matter with
them?" whispered the superintendent
to the teacher, CONSERVATION written
all over his countenance.
Goodness knows, but it is some
thing; that is certain" she replied in
an undertone.
Joe Weston instinctively felt that he
was in some way concerned in the re-
fusal of the boys to join. He caught
several of them looking at him out of
the corners Of their eyes and shifting
their glanceS when he looked in their
direction.
Then at recess he overheard a, group
Of the boys talking. They did not
know he was near. Reddy Haywood
was holding forth. and the rest of
them nodded approvingly.
Amt no use our goin' in that Corn
club Weston's goin' in. He's al
ready won the state cha mpionship and
knows how. What chance we got?
No n1ore'n rabbit II a burning sedge
swiaar! ikse.s1s.--sst.~ coin, in. -4'~
Me, too! Me, too!' echoed several
others.
The whole situation was clear now.
Joe Weston went to the principal and
the county superintendent.
1--we found out what's the matter
with EN-" he said. "When we take
in, II you'll let me. think. maybe.
can fix things"
= Accordingly, after the bell rang and
the school was seated. Joe rose in his
seat.
mr.. Superintendent, l want to say
a few words, if you please" he said,
In a self possessed manner. The super
intendent nodded atfirmatively and
looked at the principal
"The school will pay attention to Joe
Weston" said the teacher, rapping for
ORDER.
''Mr. Principal, find the boys of the
school don't want to go in this Corn
club because they think l am going in.
and because have made a state rec
ord they think they will have no
chance with me IN it.
II just want to say this. that l am
going in the club, but 1 won't compete
for the county prizes. And l won't
compete for any of the state prizes if
any Of the boys from this county come
near enough to my record this coming
year to make it competition between
me and them. Is that fair enough?'
In answer storm Of applause greet
ed the words. Joe smiled with pleas
ure.
"1'm going in this club this year to
benefit myself and try to learn some.
thing more. raised big crop of corn
and won the state prize on amount
but that amt the main thing. 1t is tt
learn how to raise big crop at small
cost. That IS the business end of it
If it costs you in fertilizer and labor
about what your corn is worth to max,
it. then you've had your work for moth
ing. It amt bit better than raisin,
q small crop at little or no cost on poo
land.
"Now, want to say this-that i
there's any boy in this club who want
the benefit of what I've learned II