Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1916-04-12

He's the eldest Of four children, all
three considerably younger than he Is.
His mother is widow been so for
four years now. Her husband was
trihing drunkard who mistreated them
and died. leaving them absolutely des-
titute and on the hands of charity And
this boy has been the man of the fam
lily ever since
TOO bad, too bad!'' said the other of
the listeners.
'"rhey moved out in the edge of
town on this little patch of ground
and il tumble down cabin. The
church ladies helped them out that
first year. The mother took in sew
ing. The children gathered dandeliOn
green's and pokeberry shoots for salad
and blackberries. The Lord only
year Then good hearted man gave
them a COW. and the ladies gave a
few chickens. They sold milk and
eggs, and that helped"
II don't reckon anybody could get
closer to bedrock poverty than that"
said the first listener, with shudder.
"They could not!' asserted the school
teacher. ''Then this boy. Henry, he's
been like a father to those children.
He works from daylight to dark. He
put in sort Of garden the next year;
that helped give a living, and he ped
died some vegetables from it and
worked at odd jobs. He's kept on haul
ing manure out there on that land and
got it pretty rich. There are seven
acres in the place.
"Why, that's fine!" said one of the
men.
"The garden was better next year,
and the cow had calf, and that prom
Uses to be a good COW. They've got
more chickens and make plenty to eat,
and he sells more, and those children
are able to go to school in winter now,
thanks to Henry. And this year he
squeezed in three months himself-the
first schooling he ever had"
MY, my, what tough time that
boy has hadr'
Indeed, yes; but not a whimper
from Henry. He's got the heart of
Roman soldier in him. And, do you
know, the old skinfint that owns that
place has gone to charging that poor
Outcast rent on it?''
ooh, you don't say-the old rascal!''
chorused the two men.
"Fact. Why, that place was in such
bad shape a niger family moved out
of it before these folks were dumped
there by the Ladies of Charity. That
old rascal has given an option on the
place for $500 to friend of mine. If
Henry can buy the place and stop the
drain for rent they'll get along fine
Rent amt much, but a nickel looks as
big to them as a cart Wheel"
/. Mr.. Ralston looked at Joe. He was
white and breathing hard and strain
ing his ears to catch every word.
49," continued the schoolteacher, If
he wins he can commute this scholar
ship for $500 and. make nearly another
500 off the corn he sells. I'll person
ally see that the balance is made up
and enough is raised to buy him good
mule and wagon. If he gets the chance
he'll actually make and save money
there. If he loses on this I believe it
will be the last straw. l actually be-
lleve it will break his heart-his spirit
and take the fight out of him.
whats his record?' inquired the
other man.
1.-TWO hundred and fifteen bushels a,
Is cents.''
'That's wonderful said the first lis
tener
"Well, he's an experienced gardener
by now, but it's fine record No rec
ord filed up to this time equals it, so ]
say that Joe Weston is the only one ]
am afraid Of. A few have made a few
more bushels than Henry has, but the
cost was so much greater. Why, guess
what that boy did?''
Cant imagine"
HE went around town and cleaned
out every chicken house in town to get
the guano. He couldn't afford to spend
much money on fertilizer. What dc
you think Of that for res0urce?''
"Just splendid, and hope the little
chap WINS said the listener heartily.
There was very little talk at the table
where Joe and his father sat. Nor die
Mr.. Ralston or Tom seem inclined tC
| break the silence. All had heard the
words Of the man at the next table
and all seemed depressed and the life
gone out of them.
When the meal was finished they
| went to the fair grounds and made fol
the Agricultural hall, where the Corr
club exhibits were the first thing. II
was magnificent array and showing
The whole party went into ecstacies
over it.
A man in the center of the space
| where the Corn club exhibit was began
| shouting something through a mega.
phone. They stopped and listened.
"All entries for the contest for the
state championship of the Boys Corn
| club growers will close at $3.50, posi-.
lively. No records will be admitted to
file after that hourv' he announced.
! "Half an hour" remarked Mr.. Raj.
ston, looking at his watch and throw.