News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-08-02
COPYRIGHT, 1918,
BY HARPER & BROTHERS.
| Continued.]


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
knows how they got through that first
year. Then a good hearted man gave
them a COW, and the ladies' gave a
few chickens They sold milk and
eggs, and that helped"
Il don't reckon anybody could get
closer to bedrock poverty than that"
said the first listener, with shudder.
"They could notr 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 q sort of garden the next year;
that helped give 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 finer said one of the
men.
"The garden was better next year,
and the COW had q calf and that prom
Uses to be q 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 had"'
Indeed, yes; but not a whimper
from Henry. He's got the heart Of a
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 rascalr'
ehorused the two men.
Fact. Why, that place was in such
bad shape q 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 a friend of mine. If
Henry can buy the place and stop the
drain for rent they'll get along fine.
Rent amt much, but nickel looks as
big to them as cart Wheel"
Mr. Ralston looked at Joe. He was
white and breathing hard and strain
3ng his ears to catch every word.
$50" 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 a good
mule and wagon. If he gets the chance
he'll actually make and save money
there. If he loses on this l believe ii
will be the last straw. l actually be.
heve it will break his heart-his spirit
and take the fight out of him."
whats his recordY' inquired the
other man.
"Two hundred and fifteen bushels al
10 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 didP'
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 resource?"
"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 did
1Ir. 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 for
the Agricultural hall, where the Corn
club exhibits were the first thing. 1t
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
Ale after that hourr' he announced
Half an hour" remarked Mr.. Raj.
eton, looking at his watch and throw
ing sidelong glance at Joe.
PLENTY Of time yet" said Joe easily.
LES go and look at the stock"
They walked back to the stock ex-
hibit down by the race track, con-
siderable distance from the Agricul-
fural hall. They were immersed In adj
miring the beauties Of fat splendid
cattle on exhibition when Mr.. Ralston
pulled his watch from his pocket again.
Great gracious, Joe, the entries viii
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