Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-05-26

Suffering Saints, You're More Than
Welcome"
hasn't knocked at the grocery door for
q number of years-a considerable
number. But what goods my money
to me, If no one shares it?"
Ned rose and put hand on Claudes
shoulder. did you adopt me to squan-
der your surplus? l thought you were
going to make me work II
Il will, if you think you'll stay
awhile" Claude replied eagerly.
"Of course I'll stay, and what's
more, Pm going to help. Motoring
means nothing to me. Let me tag
after you and look things over; be of
use, if can"
Dabbs looked immensely pleased.
'By Jimmy! That'll be great !!
Suppose you drive with me to
Glover Hollow with the orders. You
can always pretend you are stran-
ger getting lift, or you can jump off
and admire the scenery when we get
there. You DON'T look like the
grocer'ssboy, you know"
"Well, I am" affirmed Ned. my
looks may be against me, but it isn't
kind of you to rub it in. Pm your
man for delivery or anything else"
Ned watched Claude Dabbs handle
the reins. Like everything else he
did, he drove skillfully, but apparent
ly without giving it all his attention.
On the way, he told Ned that the
car was out and Sim needed the truck
for the express sultan explanation
Of why they were using Jenny and the
wagon. But Ned was secretly con-
vinced that the wagon was being used
as a test of his own endurance, and
smiled to himself at G. MS guile.
Ned was the target for many curl
GUS, unwinkips stares before they left
the short main street. At last the viii
lage lay behind them and the road
ran winding past quaint homesteads
and inviting side roads.
Winding Willow road was it's name,
Claude Informed Ned as they neared
the top of the hill. Ned looked about
him, absorbed in the panorama of
comfortable farmland and wooded
hills. He realized that the lovely road
lived up to the first part Of it's name.
1t wound on and on and not too
smoothly. There were steep hills and
sharp turns before them, but Claude
had arrived at place where he might
relax and talk.
by Jimmy! It's good to be out of
doors! l make break once in so
often and take out lot of orders,
SOS not to get too fat and lazy"
Ned smiled. He had suspected that
G. NJ, was trying him out, and now
he was sure.
Dabbs turned and looked at the
young mans face with great content.
"You do like Peace Valley. Just as
1 felt you would. Grand country.
isn't it?''
beautiful! 1 don't see how one
could be restless or disappointed down
here"
Its queer thing" Mr. Dabbs an
swered Unexpectedly, show this place
take all the spunk out of some people
and makes them so mild and ladylike
there's no stirring them up to any
sort of decent ambition. You'll soon
see that the folks brought up around
here are terrible hard to rouse. I've
felt that way often myself. Then
sometimes there are days when sud-
denly the very peace of it gets on your
nerves, sorta slaps you in the face.
I've felt that, too. But when I go
away from here, want to come back,
and it's the d-dest, hardest place to
leave that ever knew" He slapped
Jenny lightly with the whip. IF 1T
was anyone else l was talking to,
they'd think l talked like a fool about
my own place. But you get me, don't
your"
1T doesn't sound foolish to me. l
think feel it's charm already"
"And yet, when l was your age,
Ned, how kicked at being kept here,
tied to a country store" He pointed
his whip to a group of buildings at the
foot of the gentle incline before them.
"That's Clover Hollow. What do
you think of it?"
Ned saw several detached houses.
most Of them built of stone, more or
less elaborate in design, except where
they were merely the original farm
house, or laborer's cottage, remodeled
and enlarged but retaining some of
the original simplicity of form. They
were set in the midst of gardens and
lawns, some Of them quite extensive.
Attractive looking spot. But what
Is it?"
tits joke on the man that built
It," Claude said thoughtfully, "and
| ought to know because I'm his agent.
You see, he thought out this scheme
for bringing good class of people
into the neighborhood, and by so doing
boost his native village, financially and
otherwise. And this is what he got!
tits kind of collection of good
natured cranks," Dabbs resumed, after
waiting for comment, which did not