The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1916-05-18

AtLAotOA-
"Oh, he can't go to school; he'll take
the three hundred and be glad to
get it."
/ Come here n minute; want to talk
to YOU" said Mr. Ralst0a in a low
voice. They stepped out on the portico
of the building,
IAN right, sir?" asked the superin-
tendent
rs that scholarship his to do as he
pleases with?"
That is correct; yes, sir"
'Tll give you $500 for it."
The man gasped and stared at him
as though he did not comprehend
81 mean It; I'm not joking. If your
boy can sell that scholarship | will
give you $500 cash for It,"
you've sure bought it, said the
man. Come on up to the office of the
fair management and Wen trade right
now!' He did not even wait for his
hat
On arrival there the management
confirmed the fact that the scholarship
was the property of Henry and could
be sold or used as he pleased, The
county superintendent showed a boy
fish scrawl of a note authorizing him
to act for Henry.
He couldn't spare the time to come
up here" he said.
Mr.. RalstOn laid down five 800 bills,
took the transfer of ownership and
the scholarship certificate and a re-
ceipt.
Butt don't understand why you
are doing this, and for whom is it?'
queried the superintendent.
For answer Mr.. Ralston tossed over
to him the record he had borrowed
from Joe Weston. The man glanced
at it, and the color left his face a mo-
ment,
"Why-why-er- is really entitled
to the prizep' he whispered apprehen-
sively.
HE would have been-if he had en-
tered" corrected Mr.. Ralston.
"But-why didn't he enter Too later
said the man.
'No-too big" said Mr.. Ralston.
Il don't just understand" puzzled
the superintendent.
I'VE heard you talking down at the
hotel today at dinner" said Mr.. Raj
ston 1--WE were at the table behind
you. And Joe was just too big and too
fine to take it away from a chap that
has had less of chance than he has"
And who are your" asked the Won
dering schoolteacher, with great re-
spect in his voice and manner.
I'm just a rich Yankee, as you
folks down here call us, that likes to do
a bit of good once in a while with some
of his money" smiled Mr.. RalstOn, as
he left the Office.
He found Joe and Tom looking at the
Corn club entries.
where you been?' inquired Mr..
Weston. I'VE got lost from you"
ooh, I've been rambling around
some on my own hook" he answered,
smilingly.
"Wen, l beat 'em out again on the
best twelve ears-got $40 as a prize
for that, anyway said Joe jubilantly,
as he pointed to the blue ribbon on his
corn and a card placed thereon with
his name as winner
want to sell it? I'll give you So an
ear for it," queried an enterprising
scotsman, bustling up
you certainly have bought twelve
ears of corn" said joe where's the
money"
"Here!" said the man, counting it
out. Joe wrote a receipt and an order
for the twelve ears to be delivered to
him.
"a hundred and one dollars for
twelve ears of corn Is a sort Of rec
ord breaker itselfr' said Joe. County
prize, sos; state prize, $40, and SO an
ear for the corn"
"You bet it's a record" said Tom
Ralston.
Come on les go to this eating place
an get supper before the crowd rushes
in. I'm used to eatin' early" said Mr..
Weston.
When the party were seated and the
waitress had gone for their order Mr..
Ralston looked at Joe intently.
Got any regrets about losing that
scholarship, Joe?" he inquired.
mot one, sir; I'd do it again in
minute If | had the chance! answered
Joe sturdily, Just think how much 1t
means to those folks, to that boy! Well,
they've got their chance now-like
had"
you've still got yours" said the
manufactures. Il think, Joe, the work
you are doing is a good influence in the
county and in the state. 1t has been
a help to me, and it is making q fine
chap out of Tom"
ooh, yes; I'm going ahead, but it's
going to put off my trip a couple OF
years. I'll have to wait that long to
learn some Of the fine points of farm
ing-that's all"
mo, it is not going to put 1t off one
day, Joe-not enc day. Here's your
scholarship, take it as a slight token
of the appreciation Of one who would
do more for you gladly if there was
any way to do it, Mr., Ralston hand