Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-10-28


he intended to turn into garden In
the spring. He could not afford to
have 1t plowed so he spaded It all
himself, during the wonderful bright
fall Sabbaths Nor was this hard
ship for Amos. Only the farm bred
can realize the reminiscent JOY he
took In wrestling with the sod. which
gave up the smell that is more deeply
familiar to man than any other In
the range of human experience.
A dairy farmer named Norton. up
the road, gave him manure in ex-
change for the promise of early veg
etables for his table. After his spad-
ing was done in late September, Amos,
with his wheelbarrow, followed by the
two children, began his trips between
the dairy farm and his garden patch
and he kept these up until the garden
was deep with fertilizer.
Lydia was happier than she had
been since her mothers death. She
took the long tramps to and from
school, lunch box and school bag slung
at her back, In sort Of ecstasy. She
was Inherently child Of the woods
and fields. Their beauty thrilled her
while 1t tranquilized her. Some Of the
weight of worry and responsibility
that she had carried since her baby
sister Of two weeks had been turned
over to her care left her.
John Levine came home with Amos
one night to supper. Amos felt safe
about an unexpected guest on Satur-
day nights for there was always. pot
of baked beans, at the baking Of which
Lizzie was o master hand, and there
were always biscuits. Lydia was ex-
pert at making these. She had taken
of late to practicing with her moth
er's old cook book and Amos felt as If
he were getting new lease Of gas
tronomic life.
'Well," said Levine, after supper
was finished. the baby was asleep and
Lydia was established with copy or
1.-THE Water Babies" he had brought
her, Il had an interesting trip, this
week."
Amos tossed the bag Of tobacco to
Levine. "Where?"
II put In most of the week on horse
back up on the reservation. Amos,
the pine land up In there is something
to dream of. Why. there's nothing
like it left in the Mississippi valley,
nor hasn't been for twenty years.
Have you ever been up there?"
Amos shook his head 1--WE just
never had time. It's an awful trip.
No railroad, twenty-mile drive"
Levine nodded. "The Indians are
in awful bad shape up there. Agents
In it for what he can get, guess.
Don't know as blame him. The
sooner the Indians are gone the bet
ter It'll be for us and all concerned"
whats the matter with emp
asked Lydia.
"Consumption-some kind Of eye
disease starvation-"
The child shivered and her eyes
widened
you'd better go on with the Water
Babies" said John. "Has Tom fallen
into the river YETI"
mo, he's just seen himself In the
mirror" answered LYDIA. burying her
nose In the delectable tale again.
tits wonderful story" said Le-
vine, his black eyes reminiscent. ut
has some unforgettable verse in It.
Well, as I was saying, Amos, that tim
Der isn't going to stay up there and
rot-because. I'm going to get 1t out
of there r.
"HowT' asked Amos.
"Act Of congress, maybe. Maybe a
railroad will get permit to go
through, Ell? There are several ways
Well die rich, yet, Amos"
Amos pulled at his pipe and shook
his head. "You will but won't. It
isn't in our blood"
"Shucks, Amos. Where's your
nerve?"
Amos looked at Levine silently for
| a moment. Then he said huskily:
my nerve Is gone with Patience
And If she isn't in heaven, there isn't
one, that's ALL"
| Lydia looked up from her story with
a quick flash of tragedy in her eyes.
"Well," said John, smiling at her
gently, ''if you don't want to be rich,
| Amos, Lydia does. I'll give her the cot
tage here. the first fifty thousand
make off of Indian pine lands.
MIR. Marshall says like hi you'll
get some Indian lands,'" unused the
child.
Both men exclaimed together,
what"
Lydia was confused but repeated
her conversation with Marshall.
$50 that's the way the wind blows"
said Levine.
"You don't think for minute
there's a banker In town Without one
hand on the reservation" said Amos.
Lydia, you're old enough now not to
/ repeat conversations you hear at home.
Don't you ever tell anybody the things
| you hear me and Mr.. Levine talk over.
Understand" sharply.
yes, daddy" murmured Lydia,
flushing painfully.
"You don't have, to jaw the child
Il