Putnam patriot., 1915-05-14

club in the county was present
at the meeting. There were
49, many others also. including
farmers, merchants and bankers 1t
was a jolly crowd that gathered to-
gether that morning. Every one had
his joke and his laugh The noise new
er ceased for a moment until the club
was called to order and MIR Burns
stepped up on the rostrun to make
few remarks before the awarding of
the prizes began
II want TO say" he began. smiling.
that | am very proud that this county
Is in my district When tell you
why, boys. you'll be proud also"
A stiffness settled over the crowd
and the boys listened eagerly for the
next words.
What | refer to-" continued Mr.
Burns, lis the fact that some hoy of
this county. some boy sitting here in
this room. has won the state prize-a
trip to Washington. Think OF that
boys. One of your club has not only
won the first prize for the county, but
he has beat every other boy in the
state. wonder if any of you know
who the winner is?''
As he asked the question the agent
allowed his eyes to wander about over
the crowd of boys. as if he himself
was trying to locate the lucky youth.
The boys looked at each other ana
tried to guess the winner. But the
agent left it TO the committee to re-
veal the name.
They didn't have long TO wait. how
ever Presently Mr. Burns sat down,
and the chairman of the committee
stood up to award the prizes.
sam Powell will please come for.
ward he said
Sam could hardly realize that it was
his name that had been called. but Ice
rose and went forward The chairman
had him step up on the rosuum beside
him. facing the assembly. The next
words OF the man caused the young
farmer almost TO faint.
Sam Powell" be said. Il wish to in
form you that as competitor in the
Boys Corn cub you have won the first
prize offered TO the boy in this state
who produced on one acre the largest
lamount of corn at the least cost This
(frize consists of 500 in cash. to be
fused in paying the expenses of a trip
TO Washington.
Furthermore. | wish to inform you
that you have won the first prize Of
fered to the boy in this county who
ha
crop of corn, quality. quantity and
i cost considered. This prize consists of
one registered Jersey COW.
For your achievement in farming
the state also presents you with this
i Certificate of honor. 1t IS signed by
the governor and stamped with the
i great seal of the commonwealth To
win this certificate is alone a distinc-
a ton to be proud Of.
Holding the certificate in bis hand,
Sam went back to his seat 1t seemed
almost too good to be true that be had
won those first prizes He was anx-
ious 10 get out ana go home 70 tell the
news. How proud his mother and sis
/ ter would be-
The awarding of the other prizes
went on. bur sam. TO tell the truth
was so busy thinking about the Jersey
4cow and the trip to Washington that
he didn't pay much attention to any
4thing else. There was hardly mem
Der of the cub. however. who did not
Twin some prize besides the certificate
LOT honor which was given 10 every boy
who raised over fifty bushels OF corn
Ito the acre.
After all the prizes had been award
ed and the agent and two or three
visitors had made short speeches. en-
couragins the boys and urging them TO
begin that very day to prepare for the
contest next year, Mr.. Burns rose and,