Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-10-25
TheWorthv
Choice
"
BY
VICTOR REDcLlFFE


"rIrst come. first served. nephew r
spoke Ezra Spofford.
II ain very much pleased with the
second serving, uncle" declared War.
rem Hayes in his wonted bright and
CHEEKY way.
"That's your way, know" observed
Ezra gruvcly. "but all the same wish
you had come earlier and got the pick"
II should have selected the working
team just the same, uncle" insisted
Warren contentedly. "You sec, the
horse and top buggy just suit the fashy
ways Of Cousin Felix Grove. He's built
for fast driving. I'm plodder, you
know, and you couldn't have made q
finer present If you had tried"
"Well, you show more appreciation
than Felix did" spoke old Ezra. "He
took 1t as II matter Of course. I'm 60
Ing to move to the city, as you know.
and you've both been good boys, you're
near Of kin and this little distribution
Is a slight earnest of my feelings to-
ward you II you make men Of your
selves"
"WhO could help it, having a kind
friend and relative like you'll" chal-
lenged Warren warmly. II thank you
uncle. and I'll deserve this unexpected
start In life"
Felix Grove worked in the Office Of
q lawyer at Brixton:: Warren Hayes
was Of more practical mold. He had
started n small feed and grain bust
ness and knew that time. patience and
attention might build 1t up to some
thing substantial.
Felix Grove went spinning bnck to
town. proud, bouyant, mercilessly ex-
travagant as to lash and urging of
voice. He drove around the public
squnreshnlf dozen times. He made
a bargain with the liveryman as % the
care OF his turnout. The horse was In
a sweat and nervous and irritable from
his crude saving on the lines, but
Felix did not pay any attention to
that. There wns work waiting for him
ut the Office, hut Felix went at once to
the billiard hall to boast of his new &C.
question:
Warren went home happy. hopeful
young man. The team meant to him .
great convenience and saving, for
hitherto he had been obliged to hire
his hauling done. There was barn on
the place. and 1t was q labor of love
and interest to him to fix up the old
stable and make the animals comfort
able. 1t was with good deal Of salts
faction that he advertised the next day
that he could now make daily deliv-
cries Of produce to neighboring towns
az well us III BrixtOn.
"YOu Gun take us over to Barry, Sat
urday. now you've got team, can't
you WnrrenT his sister asked.
"Surely cnn," answered Warren &C.
comnodntingly. "We'll all 20. Uncle's
family will be glad to have visit from
us. I'll close up ut one o'clock and
we can come home In the moonlight"
The wagon was bulky and heavy, but
Warren rugged up three double seats,
curried the horses till they shone and
covered the seats with blankets. He
was quite proud and all hands were
fully pleased with the drive to Barry.
relatives and ut one o'clock started
home. laughing. joking and singing on
the way.
| A tremendous clntter behind them
caused Warren to vacate the middle Of
the rOad and he guided his horses
aside. horse and buggy dashed by.
ITS Cousin Felix" announced ibis
sister.
"Who was with himr'
EDNA TruxtOn."
Warren's lips puckered. He did not
relish the Information. Edna was the
only girl In the district that he really
cared for. Her home was hulf why
between the two towns. Quick-witted
Nellis Hayes rightly construed her
to he the life of the group.
"You know Felix Is showing of with
every girl who will ride with him." she
said c0nsolingly. HE even asked poor
me-"
But a week later Warren half won.
dered II he would not have done bet
ter after all to have been awarded the
| uOiSc Vuu OuSSs. ne tcuIueu tudt
Felix was out driving with. Edna a
good deal. Warrea acted fOolishly. He
ceased dropping In on Edna as he had
formerly done. Twice Nellie told him
that Edna had met her and had said
that she missed Warren's pleasant Wis
Its. but the latter compared his hum
drum ways with the brilliant fiashy
dash of Felix and made up his mind
that he could not outstrip SO fascinat-
ing a rivni.
1t was month later and there had
been long spell Of wet stormy wealth
er. The roads were in fearful contli-
ton and the strong wagon breasted diff
ficulties that would have daunted n
lighter outfit. Warren made his regu-
lar trips rs usual and one evening was
about three miles out Of Barry when
Felix dashed up in his buggy.
AUST got telephone" Felix in
| formed him in his excited WAY. 1.-THE