West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-08-03
SYNOPSIS


Joe Weston. fourteen years old. decides
20 mako . success OF his fathers run
down farm. He reads the latest scientific
bookA Mr.. Somerville n merchant. agrees
20 hslp him
Joss father n pessimistic. He sneers
ee book farming and book farmers. Mr..
oomervflle. struck with Joe's business
ABILITY and ambition, backs him In prize
competitions.
joe operate The sneers that were IN
evidence at flrst soon give way to looks
OK surprise. Joe IS showing them some
thing a. . farmer.
Joe's fathers pesslmism gradually
fades away. He watches Joe work. Ho
secs him perform wonders with tho soil.
He soon II as enthusiastic as Joe His
conversion pleases Mr.. Somerville.
Joe's corn Is tho wonder OF the country.
noe. With money he received from n
commission merchant for his product he
starts bank account, which he proudly
exhibits to his father.
There Is constant demand for tho corn
Joe IL raising. In the prize competition
Joe makes 1Ss bushels on an aero mt n
cost OF s123o.
Il r. announced that Joe Weston. the
book farmer. won the FIRST corn prize for
Ms county. His father says "Son, I'm
powerful proud OF ye."
Joe II overwhelmed with 10y at receipt
OF telegram that no also has won state
championship. With the money he pays
on part OF tho FARMS indebtedness. He
also wins trip to White House
joe describes to his mother and sister
his trip to the White House and his talk
with the president. Then he goes back 20
the farm which now II tho talk OF the
entire countrywide.
Joe meets Tom Ralston, n boy OF about
his own age Tom Is from the north and
Is In quest OF health. The Ralston boys
rather Is wealthy. and Joe and Tom be-
como fast friends.
Tom Ralston's father takes n great lIls-
ins TO Joe and offers TO back him and
help him in every way. Joe finally nc
cepts Mr.. Ralston's offer OF fifty loads of
manure.
Joe buys his mother n canning outfit.
HIS mother and sister arc enthusiastic
at the prospect OF helping In the general
money making scheme, and they start
work with q viii.
Tom Ralston has been studying scien-
tho farming. and he gives Joe valuable
points. Joe takes his father to the corn.
held and they actually hear tho corn
Grow.
The time for the next exhibit IS near.
and Joe and his father and Tom Ralston
can In witnesses. It Is now plain that
prize winner OF the county and state.
joe Mr.. Weston and Tom Ralston start
Tor the fair. Joe accidentally learns that
no Is nbout TO take tho prize from n poor
boy. he refuses TO enter. Tho poor boy
wins When Mr.. Ralston hears OF Joe's
noble act he gives him moro than tho
amount Of the prize.
The guests and the Westons sat on
the front porch for awhile after din
ner while the men smoked their pipes.
All three OF the visitors, practical
farmers, were lavish in their praise OF
the corn.
III hadn't "a seen 1t with my own
eyes l wouldn't "a believed it" OBJ
served the squire. II been hearin' a
lot about what these Corn club boys
been dom, but / thought II was most
ly talk. But that corn beats anything
ever seen"
Joe had slipped away and came back
with three bundles OF three ears each.
He presented a bundle TO each guest.
That corn viii average four ears TO
the stalk" he said. "I VIII build It
up to five ears in three more years. but