The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-11-18

they know, and you don't want to
know. That's the way you pig headed
farmers are"
Weston merely scratched his chin
and looked stubborn.
go over and see what they've got
to say, at any rate,' insisted Mr.. Som
erville.
Nav; l amt goin' to waste time on
EN- talkin' a lot of fool truck out Of
books writ by just such sissy farmers
rs them. l reckon they'll he recon
mendin' us to tie pink ribbons on our
pigs tails an buy feather beds for our
bosses an cows?' He guffawed at
what he thought was his wit.
well go around and see. You can
laugh at them if they do advise fool
things like that"
Nav; amt goin' a step. Amt got
time. Jim Sullivan told me he was
goin' to get a jug Of the real old red
eye on tn noon train, an ne an him
is gOin' to dro' II u sOrrer."
Leave that stuff alone, Tom" said
the kind hearted old merchant. who
had known him from his boyhOod.
That is n reason why you are about
down and out now"
Dad. let me go to the farmers meet
ing
Both men looked around. Joe had
been seated on q sack Of beans at the
end Of the counter and in the shadow
Of the desk. His father had forgotten
him. and Mr.. Somerville had not no
ticed that he was about.
Amt got time. Me an jim Sulli
vans gOin' to leave as sOon as the train
gifts ill.," began his father.
II don't mind walking five miles
home this. evening. do want to go t.
hear those government people. daddy"
Il amt got no quarter to spend for
your dinner, Joe"
Il don't want no dinner"
That's all right; Joe's going to take
dinner with me-" interrupted Mr.. Som
erville.
"Oh, all right, then, but you needn't
think yer goin' to try any of that fool
ishness and ~newfangled lum-de-dums
on my place" There was a streak of
H'bVDolH lICdlllltSS III AOlb NcStOI.
MY place, Tom" corrected the old
er man gently. ''for which you have
failed to pay all the rent this year and
W a balance on last year"
well, s longs l got it rented'- be-
gan Weston.
'Ill tell you what I'll do. Tom; III
just let you off n bale rent and take
fn,~ 1rnc Co., J~~ o- -,-
mcnt OH if we want to-"
That's a trade" grinned Weston.
But how about the time he takes fool
ing with you-alrs projects? His time
belongs to me-" Mr.. Somerville looked
at him in cold scorn for a moment, then
at the eager, bright face Of the boy.
Dad. amt you never goin' to give
me a chance? l 90 round dressed In
your CASTOR clo'es, l work like a mig
ger. an now when l want to learn
somethin' an try to make more at
farmin' than you have you don't seem
to want to let me-" His eyes filed
with tears.
Weston, of course he's your boy and
you have the legal right to his services,
but you are making a serious mistake
in the position you are taking"
I'm standin' on my rights" logged
ly responded the other, trying to brave
out the scorn he saw in the merchants
face.
Mr.. SOmerville looked at Joe, who
was rather al understood. wiry chap
with a good head and a square. fighting
chin.
Are you in earnest, Joe! Do you
really van to study and learn or are
you just t~alking?"
Just give me a chance-that's all
want-and I'll show you" answered
Joe.
VERY we'll, then. Weston. What dc
you consider Joe's services worth tC
you during the crop year."
"A hundred dollars" answered Yves
ton, at a venture, trying to put the fig
ure high.
I'll Just take you on that. Come OF
back to the desk and sign up an agree
ment."
1t was done in a few minutes, thu
document providing that Joe's service:
were sold to John Somerville for ont
year from date for 500; that sait
Weston bound himself to interfere i,
no way with any experimental o.
planting operations carried on by sait
boy and J.. Somerville and to turn v
four acres fronting on the public roat
to said boy and release all rights to an.
crop the said Joe Weston might make
Now, Tom Weston, l think for tn
last fifteen years I've heard you com
. plain that you couldn't get out Of debt
and the wonders you would perform
If you ever did. According to GU
books, you owe US $50. part Of 1t tire
years old. My contract for Joe call
for 500. I'm going to do better thai
: that and pay you $3.50. I've wiped OF
the books. You don't owe me a cent.
: Thank you, SIR"
Nov. listen! You and Joe are ever