Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-04-08

stumps. She feared. ana WIZ
~ much reason. that because OF
his inexperience in handling dynamite
he might blow up himself. So Sam
had agreed. though he didn't like the
Sdea Of paying So for work that he
could do himself,
A man named Nolan had been hired
10 do the work. ard he had come out
Saturday afternoon to make begin
ming. Sam was anxious to learn about
the work so that In future there'd be
no need TO hire some one else to do It.
He drove across the held. hltched his
horse at q safe distance and went over
10 watch the proceedings
Sans companions, who had also
heard the first report. came up to look
On. 1t was interesting to watch Nolan
deftly place his blasts 30 that they al
ways brought up the stumps. Some
times they popped up in the air like
cork out Of bottle; at other times they
split into pieces and went hurting
through the air. Under the largest
stump in the field Nolan put double
charge of dynamite.
Better get clear" he said to the boys
when he was about ready to touch 1t
or. They all backed away to a dis
lance of thirty or forty yards and wait
ed. He lighted the fuse and ran over
to where they were standing.
"Get down." he said, behind some
thing or ON the ground"
All except Joe Watson promptly drop
ped down fiat behind little ridge.
"There isn't any danger this far OF"
he said and remained standing.
"Get down. you dummy; it's going
or" said Sam sharply, and as Joe
made no move he grabbed him around
the ankles and gave jerk. The boy
came down with a thud. and at the
same instant there wis u roar Some
thing sang over them like bullet ana
exactly in the path where Joe had
stood a moment before
"Well, you may thank your lucky
stars" Nolan remarked TO Joe as ne
got up. that Sam pulled you down.
You see that big piece Of stump layin
away out yonder? That's what whis-
tied over here, and II you'd a been
standin' II would a broke you in
two"
Joe was pale from fright at his mar
row escape. MY" he exclaimed, "but
i owe you u big debt. Sam! You saw
ed me then. and don't think III ever
act the fool like that again"
1t was now the middle Of the after
noon. and as the boys wanted to re
turn home early for one reason Or an
other Sam stopped work for the day.
and they all drove home at a brisk
trot
On the next Monday Sam was pres
ent at the meeting Of the Boys Corn
club and became member. Bob Fa'
gan was also there and joined. though
he was doubtful about getting his acre
cleared Of stumps by planting time.
In addition to the cash prizes already
offered, several firms and corporations
announced at the meeting that they
would give premiums to the successful
contestants. These prizes were Of va.
rious kinds Among them were a reg
istered Jersey cow, pair Of register
ed pigs. corn planter. trip to Wash
ingtOn. a trio Of prize poultry. q gold
watch and an automobile.
Sam went home happy that day and
more nrmly resolved than ever to win
some Of the prizes. All the week be
worked after school hours loading and
hauling manure from the stable to the
farm. He was 40 busy that he had nc
time to talk even to his mother and
sister about his work. But at the sup
per table on Saturday Mrs. Powell In
CURED how he was getting along viii
the work.
Doing fine." said Sam. "I've go
the Geld and the fence rows cleaned III
and the fences made pig light and tive
acres fortified and ready to be pillow
ed The next thing I'm going to d.
Is to have the land broke, cross brok
ana narrowed"
"Going to do all the Geld that wayT
asked Florence Powell.
'sOh, no. Sam replied. II can't pre-
pare all the land as did the two acres
] haven't time this year, but III pu
some fertilizer on all Of It and have
broke once"
"What are you going to raise 90 tn
two acresT' bis sister inquired. b
coming interested.
zone acre is going 70 b n COR