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

train bound for the fair 1t
" was packed with jolly crowd
of visitors for the same destination.
"Oh, by the way, father will meet
us therer' said Tom Ralston joyfully.
II wired him last week we would leave
today. He said last spring he wanted
to see the fair and would try to get
down in time, so heard from him yes
terday He's already there and has
engaged quarters for us at the hotel"
'1'll be mighty glad to see him." said
Joe. "And l guess it's good thing he
has rooms for US. I saw in the paper
that there was such a crowd in town
that all the places were filed up and
folks were sleeping in chairs in the
hotel lobbies."
"I'm glad he's fixed it, too," said Mr..
Weston. II amt much on this chair
snoozin'. Every time l go to sleep in
my chair it gives me a crick in my
neck"
They arrived at the capital city bit
before noon. Streets and stores were
gay with banners and bunting, bands
were parading, and an excited, eager
stream of people extended from the
depot, where several excursion trains
were discharging their loads.
Mr.. Ralston was watching for the
party and seized on them at once, shak-
ing hands jubilantly.
my, my; it's a sight for sore eyes to
see you! I've been here day and a
ho1 foir ic 20
a liberal education to see it. I'm COM
ing every year. And such stock!
Why, l never saw the like Of fine
cows
"Any muley black ones" innocently
inquired Tom. His father gulped, be-
gan to turn red and grinned sheep
ishly.
"Now, Tom; now. Tom!' he began
pleadingly.
Il just wanted to know. 1 think the
muley ones are the safest. They can't
hook-only butt" said Tom demurely.
Mr.. Ralston grinned.
Eyes, l suppose SO, and if we ever
buy any more cows I'm strong for the
muley kind,' he said.
"Look here, what's the joke" de-
manded Joe Weston.
"Oh, just little private one between
u.s. said Tom. II can't give it away
yet"
"Come on up to our rooms and wash
up. Well get some dinner first. then
60 to the fair afterward. We can get
supper there" suggested Mr. Ralston.
He had got two handsome adjoining
rooms, and after the dust Of travel had
been removed from the new arrivals
Mr.. Ralston handed Joe the morning
paper.
'"They are expecting you, joe" he
said. big writeup Of the Corn club
contest, and you seem to be considered
the man they've all got to beat. It's
the field against you" Joe saw his
name in big type in the headlines.
II think I've got 'em tied out" he
said confidently. as he showed Mr..
Ralston the record. ... --
why. gee whiZ. you are as certain
to win on this showing as we are to go
downstairs" the manufacturer exulted.
'"That's fine. And I'm going to send
Tom along with you, if you don't mind.
for year at that school"
Suits me all right. 1t will be just
fine" heartily agreed Joe Weston.
II looked into the matter of the
prize" said Mr. Weston. THAT schol-
arship is with $500. The fair manage
ment got it for less on account of the
advertising. but if you want they'll
commute it for $500 cash. That's what
they are actually to pay for it. under-
stand
mo, sir: if I win want that scholar
ship said Joe.
YES that's with more than the
money, by heap agreed Mr.. Weston.
''All right let's go down and eat
suggested their host and led the way
to the crowded dining room.
The four were seated at table plac-
ed close to another one. At the next
table were three men, and one with
his back to them was talking. Evi-
IDENTIFY, from his conversation, he was
a county superintendent Of education
from somewhere in the state. He talk
ed in rather a loud voice, and every
word of what he said was audible.
what I am afraid of" said he, "is
that Joe Weston, the state champion
of last year, will enter" The men
ton Of Joe's name made his party
prick up their ears.
If Joe Weston amt in it think
my boy will win the prize, and l am
dreadfully anxious for him to. I never
did have my heart 50 set on anything
he continued.
"Any special reason?'' said one Of
the men at his table, helping himself
to a stalk Of celery and munching idly
away on it. s3
Yes, there is" asserted the school
teacher earnestly. The most urgent
reasons. You see, this boy am In
terested in Is only fifteen years old
43 a3fft atHf3 III 8T3 Ell s3 5a.s