Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-05-13

After all the Prizes uhu Deeu uWuTu
ed and the agent and two or thres
visitors had made short speeches. en-
couraging the boys and urging them tc
begin that very day to prepare for the
contest next year, Mr.. Burns rose and
smiling, asked If any member Of the
club would like to say anything.
No one responded. but suddenly some
one called out sam POWELL" Then
from different parts Of the house came
| the call:
"Sam PowellT
"Sam Powellr'
"Sam Powellp'
Sam flushed with the excitement and
embarrassment Of Il. He couldn't
make a speech. he knew. but he had
won 6rst prize. and they wanted him
to say something. He had thought OF
one or two things that he really did
want to say to the boys, 90 when some
one called his name again he rose from
his seat
Members Of the club and visitors"
he said. ''you 6atter me by calling on
me for a speech. Speechmaking isn't
much in the line Of the Boys Corn
club. but do really wish that could
make a speech today. I'd like to talk
a long time on farming and what we
can do for ourselves by following It as
a business. That's what ! think we
ought to onsider-ourselves We want
to improve our farms, but we want to
improve ourselves more than the farms.
By going to school we learn some
things, and the most important thing
we learn IL how to study. When we
learn how to study we can keep on go
ing to school without a teacher And
there's so much to learn In books and
outdoors that we ought to keep on
learning and studying as long as we
live
We've all done pretty well this year.
but we can do better next and still bet
ter the next We are just beginning to
see how much land will produce. Bet
ter seed and better stock must be our
watchword. Double the crop to the
acre and halve the cost must be our
class yell I'm going to grow more
and better corn to the acre next year
and try to do it at less cost. We have
raised some fine corn already, though
and we must send some of 1t to the
county and state fairs. You men farm.
ers had better look out; we boys are
after you. Next year I'm going to try
for the automobile in the national
corn show That's all l have to say.
and I'd like to hear from some of the
other boys"
Sam sat down while every one in the
house cheered loudly. Mr.. Burns re-
marked that the speech was a good
one. 1t wasn't long, he said. but 1t was
to the point and said great deal In
very few words. He then called for
others to say something. and two or
three responded After they had tln-
ished the meeting adjourned, and Sam
rushed from the room to End out about
his prizes.
1t happened that the banker who had
offered the trip to Washington prize
lived IN the town. and Sam was in.
formed that the money was waiting
for him whenever he was ready to
start on the trip.
The Jersey cow had been shipped
from a distance and waR also waiting
In q nearby stable for him to luke
possession Of her Sam was delighted
when ne saw the cnw She was per
feet beauty soft eyed and fawn col
ored. She wore n haIter. and the young !
farmer bought short rope with which
to lead her home
They were much surprised ana
pleased mother and sister who came
out when be drew up ut the front gate
with the COW following contentedly be-
hind. Sam sat on the front seat. hold
ing the lines. and answered a rapid Ere |
Of questions.
"Yes. won this Jersey COW and the
trip to Washington"
my. but you can't go clear to Wash
ington by yourself" said Mrs. Powell
doubtfully.
"Pshaw. OF course ! can! Lots of
boys travel farther than that Any
way. don't expect ri have to take
the trip myself. I'll find out in day
or two"
what are those papers you haveT'
asked Florence.
"Oh. that's my Jerseys pedigree and
some other papers This cows reg
istered. and she's worth over $780,"
What are the other papersT" insist
ed Florence
''Well. one Is certificate Of honor
from the state It's signed by the gov.
ernor and stamped with the state seal"
"A certificate of honorF exclaimed
Mrs. Powell "My goodnessi Did you
get that for the acre Of corn tOoT"
"Yes'm." replied Sam. the whole
lot. You see. mother, I was ahead Of
every boy ln the state"
When at last his sister and mother ]