The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-12-30

agine what It was as he tore the en-
velope open. A yellow telegraph en-
velope fell out.
Dear joe wrote Mr.. S0merville.
here's a telegram which came for you
this morning. OF curse the company
does not deliver messages in the coun-
try, SO l put this chap on a horse and
sen it out. Hope it is good news.
Your friend. j. Somerville.",
With trembling fingers Joe opened
The message. and the typewriter
words swan before his eyes. 1t was
from the state superintendent Of agri-
culture:
Congratulations. You win state
championship by margin Of five bush
els and So less expense. Four thou
sand two hundred contestants. Also
awarded nitrate and fertilizer prizes.
Report my Office 3Oth for trip to Wash
ington.'
His father read the message over his
shoulder. and as both finished they
grinned foolishly at each other and
stood there shaking hands.
We'll, by gum said Mr.. Weston.
Well. by gum He could think OF
nothing else to say and remarked
well by gum!' again.
There's two hundred more to sla1,
m this placer said Joe as his wits
came back to him. We'll only owe Il
thousand then"
well, by gum wonderingly replied
his father. Then he grabbed Joe by
the arm.
Come on and les go tell the gals
about it,
"Son. when you get to Washington
and shake hands with the president"
said Mrs. Weston, pausing Il moment
to look ut him as she packed his sui.
case for the trip, You just remember
there's an old countrywoman way
down here in Il split log house tina;
thinks you're a sight bigger nHn thai.
he is. Don't you ever forget that"
Joe and his father were riding home
ward from the railroad station. Joe'>
trip to Washington as the champin!
'orn raiser of his state was over.
AS they rounded the shoulder Of thc
hill and saw the little farm home in
the bright morning sunshine .Joe's face
wreathed in Il smile.
You know he said earnestly. II rH!
understand that song Home. Sweet
Home a heap better now. There l.
no place like home 1t was mighty
fine and all that in Washington. hu,
I'm sure glad to be back"
I'm proud to hear We say that. boy:
! answered his father. II was ii BIZ
fearful you'd come back here dissatis
fed an maybe after awhile go ava!
| an leave u.s.
mot a bit Of it!' said Joe Stoutly
I've come back with the idea of stick
ing right here and making this the beS
farm in the state"
well. hooray for that"
II mean it too. I've got to have ;
lot more schooling. but I'm going t
mix it in with my work.
so you think you'll stick to farming
SOM
Yes. sir"
ltc SSclI III LIZ SoNci Illicit az
Washington I'd "a thought you'd vans
20 be a lawyer or somethin'?"
Il did think of that before | Went
there. but the president took me to the
| window and pointed out the capitOI
md the treasury and p~ostoftice build.
lngs and some others.
You think all this is great. don't
you, Joe? says the president.
"'Of course | do says |.
(which is the greatest. these things
or that which makes them possible? he
asked. looking hard at me.
1.-The cause of EN-. of course-tha,
which makes 'em possible | told him
"'Do you know what that is? he
asked me. | told him | reckoned il
was the people.
Yes. the people. but particularly
the farmer. The whole structure OF
government is founded on him, for peo-
pie must eat before they are governed,
| think a good farmer is just as valu.
able as a good senator"! he said"
well. l declare!" exclaimed Mr.
Weston. II had no idee we farmers
were that important"
Me either said Joe. but right then
| made up my mind to be a farmer
md a good one. I've got a heap more
respect for farmers now"
Annie spied them down the road and
came racing to meet them. Mrs. Yves.
tor waved an affectionate greeting
from the front gate. Joe rushed in and
gave his mother a hug.
1T sure is fine to be home again and
see you all. How's everything getting
alOng?"
Just fine! Chickens started to lay.
ing and we've six little new pigs"
AN a new calf named Spot" insist
ed Annie.
Come on in and tell us about your
trip. Did you really see the president?'
inquired Mrs. Weston.
"Yes'm. and a mighty fine man he is,
roo. We had a big argument
What? You didn't argufy with the
president, did you. SOM she inquired