Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-12-22
NlLLmAR IRlsv1e, xltbnE1oAY, pEcEmsER = lsls

that same patchr' :.
Yes. but that don't make It good
seed corn, or corn that will guaran-
tee to make what mine did with the
same treatment The fifty bushels Of
selected seed l did guarantee"
"Oh, shucks! The commonest stalk
in that patch Of yourn Is so much bet
ter than the rest Of the corn raised
around here that Teller Is bound to
do better with 1t. Gimme four bushels
at 10 cents"
'An right-with the understanding
that I'm not putting it out as seed
can vOuch for"
The news was bruited around that
Joe Weston was selling his flne corn
at common corn prices. and In two
weeks he had not bushel left. TO
each buyer he explained the difference
between field selected seed and that
which he could not guarantee. Every
buyer reasoned as the first one did and
bought.
Nov. Joe went to town, taking the
$77.7O for the corn. Added to the 1925
he had got for seed, It made a total Of
$202.O for the prize acre.
He was a bit worried as to whether
he had acted fairly by Mr.. Somerville
in refusing $3.50 bushel for the corn.
The old merchant heard him through,
then, placing his hands on JOe's shout.
ders and looking him straight in the
eyes, he smiled.
"Son. don't you suppose I've heard OF
this long ago? And don't you suppose
was proud Of you for acting with
such scrupulous honesty and good faith
with your customers? I've got plenty
Of money, Joe, In moderation, and I'd
rather have had you do just exactly as
you have done than to have some one
give me check for $1,000"
'1'm-1'm much obliged, sir. It just
seemed right, and was going to pay
you the difference out Of my part II II
was wrong"
"Well, wouldn't have taken 1t.
Whenever anything seems right to
you. my boy, you 60 ahead and do It.
Your ideas are straight"
Mr.. Somerville had figured up &C.
counts with Joe's father. Mr.. Weston
had also realized we'll from his cotton
and corn; but not taking the care Joe
had, his yields were not half as large
per acre. Still they were treble what
he was accustomed to make.
well, I've come in to settle up and
see about that bet you made that you
n Joe'd make more of your four
acres than would off'n twenty-five
he said.
1t was different Tom Weston that
confidently challenged Mr.. Somerville
from the mOr0se, surly, envious, whis-
ky drinking ne'er-do-wen Of the year
before
Nov, look here, Tom, 1 didn't mean
in competition with a brand new Tom
Weston. I meant that no account chap
we used to know"
There you 60 now, trying to craw-
fish! Be little sport now and stand
the racket!' laughed Tom, who was
enjoying the situation hugely.
Make him stick to it, daddy!' ad.
vised Joe.
''Well, wait until that prize money is
decided"-
mo, stree! We weren't talkin' about
no prizes. We were considerin' straight
farmfn' an sellin' stuff of the ground"
THAT'S right, daddy. We didn't know
anything about any prizes when he
| said that Don't let him out talk your
well, We'll have a showdown, then
Joe and l have taken in to date a
total, counting $40 worth Of turnips
sold, Of 1913 altogether
Gee whiz, that's farmin' some,
tell you! l thought had you beat
| world without end, amen
"Well, we have some cottonseed and
some cowpeas that will add something
and pay all expenses"
| I'VE won't count them. as that is
part of our outfit. or our operating
capital" said Joe.
"All right" said Mr.. Somerville.
What did you make, TomT
"Six hundred and sixty dollarsv'
| OCeAl 10 P1Ss ~ 0COLSC: duS"SISO
the merchant. "Well, Tom. old boss,
I'm mighty near as proud Of you as !
am Of Joe-proud Of him for a fine
partner and you for fine man that's
coming to your senses. I'll gladly pay
the bet"
"Mr. JONES'" he called to a clerk
take these gentlemen ovet to thu
clothing department and 1T each OF
them with the best hat In the house
and charge to my account"
After the hats had been got Mr..
Somerville and Tom Weston and Joe
walked over to the Office Of the county
superintendent Of education and found
that official in.
Look here, professor. When are
you''- began Mr.. Somerville.
"Just got the last report in this morn
ing. tell you it was a job getting re
turns from the fifty-eight boys in THU
county,"
well, got any news for us7"
Eyes. l have. Mr.. Joe Weston,
want to congratulate you now. vii
announce in the paper tomorrow tina
you have won the first prize for thi
county"
"Wh-who was next?" gasped Joe.
"Oscar Henderson. but he did no
! come within ninety bushels of you