The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-01-06


4Hslio. y~ourselfT' answered Jos
stopping and sizing him up. Joe liked
his looks, but thought be ri remark
ably puny In appearance.
you're Joe Weston, the champion
corn grower, aren't your he said. Joe
nodded. II saw your picture II the
papers, but I thought you were . heap
bigger than you are. rye wanted TO
meet you"
Much obliged" said Joe. Who are
your
Excuse me for not telling. I'm Tom
Ralston. Father bought that big old
plantation Of Major Deans down the
road about two miles. We've only been
here a couple Of weeks"
Where you fromr'
up north. I'm just over a spell Of
typhoid and awfully weak. Then
mother Is not strong. and we wanted
to get away from the hard winters UP
there. 80 father bought this old house
and plantation for q winter home. He
can't stay here all the time, but he will
come down and hunt and fish whenever
he can get OF. He's about worn him
self out working. Owns a big factory"
"Well, I'm glad you all have moved
in the neighborhood, and hope you'll
like It. Ever lived in the country be
fore?"
Never have, but l think it's fine.
uyho% 7 houn ~oo,. ~ a. ~ eoSd ro~o r,axl,
enthusiasm.
Come over and see me some time.
It's easier for you to come to see me
than for me to 60 to your house; you've
got a pony. and l have to hoof it or ride
n Of the work horses"
Sure will. and thank you for asking
me. It's kind of lonely until one get
acquainted. How far you going?"
Bout a mile. to the schoolhouse."
Flop up behind me. and I'll give you
a lift. This pony rides as easy as n
rocking chair rocks. Come on" He
extended his hand. Joe placed one foo:
In the stirrup and vaulted up behin.
him. The pony was indeed Il fine enc
BY the time they reached the schooi
house the two boys were well started
on a friendship. Several of tile boys ~
the school crowded about as the,
rode up.
Say. fellers!" called Joe. This i
Tom Ralston. His folks bought the old
Dean place and just moved in. Hes
been mighty sick with fever an amt
strong yet, but he wants to get ac-
quainted. When you get a chance 60
over and see him."
Wish you would" added Tom.
Some Of the gang will be over Sat-
urday. sure" announced Reddy Hay
wood. PLEASED to meet you. Won
you light an rest your saddle?' Reddy
was doing the elegant as host for the
school.
mo; much obliged. Got to 90 to
town and do some errands. for mother.
but I'll come over once in awhile at
recess and e you fellows. Glad to
have me- you. and so longr' He way.
ed a farewell, and the pony sped down
the road.
The boys talked him over and decid-
ed he would do" Several expressed
the opinion that he looked SORT. Of
sissy" and feeble.
IF you'd been in bed nine weeks
with typhoid you'd look just as bad"
retorted Joe. An if l hear of any
body imposing on him until he gets
strong enough to take care Of himself
they've got me to whip. He's a
stranger an a Yankee boy. and the
decent thing Is for us all to act like
gentlemen an make him welcome to
our neighborhood like we'd appreciate
his doing If we moved up in the neck
Of the woods where he comes from"
"Joe's right" exclaimed Reddy Hay
wood. When these two leaders of the
school agreed on q matter it was set
tied in SO far as that crowd Of boys
was concerned.
In two weeks Tom had got strong
enough to stand considerable exercise.
with the daily horseback rides and the
fresh. invigorating air Of the country.
He was very much possessed with the
idea Of going on a possum hunt.
II can AZ that all right" assured
Joe. "I'l e old Uncle JEFF Johnson
that old darkey who lives up the road:
he'll take US. He's got some good
possum dogs. I'll tell him to come and
see you when the time is right. and
we'll 60. Old Uncle RUDE that works
here on this place Of yours is a good
hunter too"
CHAPTER XII.
on OF . Postum Hunt.
l~ HE next Saturday Joe rode n
of the work horses down to
the Ralston place and was
- explaining to Tom how he
could teach Tom to be a good shot.
49, TY--n- - m - = - E