West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-06-15
SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS
Joe Weston, fourteen years old. decides
60 mako a success OF his fathers run
down farm. He reads the latest scientific
books. Mr.. Somerville a merchant. agrees
to help him.
Joo's father IN pessimstic. He sneers
at book farming and book farmers. Mr..
Bonneville. struck with Joo's business
ability and ambition. backs him In prize
competitions.
Passersby on the road linger TO watch
Joe operate Tho Eeers that wero In
evidence at first soon give way 70 looks
OF surprise. Joe Is showing them some
thing a. a farmer.
Joe's fathers pesslmism gradually
tades away. He watches Joe work. He
sees him perform wonders with the soil.
He soon Is as enthusiastic as Joe. His
conversion pleases Mr.. Somerville.
Joe's corn is the wonder OF tho country
side. With money he received from a
commission merchant for his product no
starts bank account, which he proudly
exhibits TO his father.
There is n constant demand for the corn
Joe Is raising. In the prize competition
Joe makes 1Ss bushels on an acre at a
cost OF $3.50.
IL IN announced that Joe Weston, the
book farmer. won the FIRST corn prize for
his county. His father says, "Son, I'm
powerful proud OF ye.'
Joe Is overwhelmed with 10y Mt recent
OF a telegram that he also has won state
champicnship. With the money he pays
: or part OF the FARMS indebtedness lie
also wins trip to White House.
We'll, I wouldn't have taken II
Whenever anything seems right 10
you, my boy, you go ahead and do n
Your ideas are straight"
Snrnnrxrfl1n H..
counts with Joe's father Mr.. Weston
mad also realized well from his cotton
and corn but, not taking the care Joe
mad, bis yields We're not half as large
per acre. Still they were treble what
be was accustomed to make.
Wei, 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 on'n twenty-five"
ne said
It was a different Tom Weston that
confidently challenged Mr.. SomerviIle
from the morose, surly, envious, whis-
Ky drinking ne'er-do-weI of the year
before
Now, look here, Tom. didn't mean
In competition with a brand new Tom
Weston. meant that no account chap
we used to know"
There you go now, trying TO craw-
fish! BE little sport now and stand
the racketT' laughed Tom, who was
enjoying the situation hugely.
Make him stick to #, daddyr' adj
vised Joe.
''weI, walt until that prize money is
decided"-
NO, street Wa weren't talkin' about
no prizes. We were considerin' straight
farmin' an sellin' stun Off 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
Wei, Wen have a showdown, then.
Joe and have taken in TO date a
total, counting $50 worth OF turnips
sold. of $613 altogether"
Gee whiz, that's farmin' some. I
tel youi / thought had you beat
world without end, amen
We'll, we have some cottonseed and
some cowpeas that win add something
land pay all expenses
I'VE won't count them. as that Is
part OF our outfit, or our operating
capital" said Joe.
IAN right" said Mr.. Somervine.
" hAl ulu you make, ION 2
"Six hundred and sixty dollarsr'
BEAT US SAT, by Georgep answered
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 a fine man that's
coming TO your senses. III gladly pay
the bet"
''2fr. Jones'" be called TO a clerk,
take these gentlemen over to the
clothing department and ht each Of
them with the best hat I'm the house
and charge TO my account"
After the hats had been got Mr..
Bonneville 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
your began Mr.. SOmerville
Just got the last report In this morn
ing. I tell you Il was JOB getting re
turns from the hfty-eight boys in this
county"
Wei, got any news for usT'
Yes. / have. Mr. Joe Weston. ]
want TO congratulate you now. ] VIII
announce in the paper tomorrow that
you have won the first prize for this
county"
"Wh-who was neXt7' gasped Joe.
oscar Henderson, but be did not
come within ninety bushels Of you.
Really you have done remarkably well,