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Show THE UINTAH BASIN FARMER groan Issued from Newtons lips gruesome groan. But hls fathers voice from the kitchen door betrayed no agitation. lie was scolding the horses as they stood tied to the In tones that showed ne knowledge of bis sons distressed A n hitch-tng-po- XIII CHAPTER By HERBERT QUICK Continued. (Copyright bj The 11 Miss Woodruff, replied the professor earnestly, he has something that looks toward truth, and something we need. Just how far he will go. Just what he will amount to. It Is impossible to say. But something must be done for the rural schools something along the lines he Is trying to follow. He Is a struggling soul, and he Is worth helping. You wont make any mistake If you make the most of Mr. Irwin." Jim slipped out of a side door and fled He started home, on foot as he had come. A mile or so out he was overtaken by the colonel, driving briskly along with room In his buggy for Jim. Climb In. Jim! said he. Dan and Dolly didnt like to see you walk. Theyre looking fine, said Jim. There Is a good deal to say whenever two horse lovers get together. But when Jim had alighted at his own door, the colonel spoke of what had been in his mind all the time. I saw Bonner and Haakon and Ez doing some caucusing today, said he. They expect to elect Bonner to the board again." Oh, I suppose so," replied Jim. Well, what shall we do about asked the colonel. Jim vas silent. Here was a matter on which he really had no Ideas except the broad and general one that truth Is mighty and shall prevail but that the speed of its forward march Is problematical. I think, said the colonel, that its up to us to see that the people have a chance to decide. Its really Bonner against Jim Irwin. What you need Is a man to take that office away from Bonner. Well, Im free to say I dont know that any one can, but I'm willing to 1 try. I think that In about a week Id that around shall pass the word like to serve my country on the school board." Jims face lighted up and then darkened. Even then theyd be two to one. ltr Company!. Bobbs-Herri- ll X r r moans. Whats the matter? It was Newtons little sister whe halnt neither I guess hes only asked the question. Even though reprejudiced against seeming to give np garded as a pure matter of mak to have giving np his old notions. No, he 1 d looking for open water and too, Wild cornfields. geese, honked from on high as If In wonder that these great prairies on which their forefathers had been wont fearlessly to alight had been changed Into a expanse of farms. Colonel Woodruffs hired man, Pete, stopped Newton Bronson and Raymond Simms as they tramped across the colonels pasture, gun in hand, trying to make themselves believe that the shooting was good. This aint no country to hunt In, Did either of you fellows said he. ever have any real The mountings, said Raymond, air poor places for ducks." Not big enough water." suggested I suppose?" Some Pete. creeks and rivers, yes, Along the seh, said Raymond, but nothing to depend on. Ive never been nowhere, said Newton, "except once to Minnesota ana and that wasnt In the shooting season. A year ago Newton would have boasted of having "bummed his way to Faribault. His hesitant speech was a proof of the embarrassment his new respectability sometimes inflicted upon badly-harveste- dls-gustl- ug duck-shooting- wood-duck- s, him. I used to shoot ducks for old-tim- e 1 Hes Just prejudiced against some old notions he seemed believe, such sounds were terrible, once I And the kids In school would Oh, sister, sister I howled Newton, be prejudiced right, anyhow A Minor Casts Half a Vote. run and tell em that brothers dyFaw says hell he on hand prompt. March came in like neither a lion I But be bad to be ing nor a lamb, but was scarcely a week said Raymond. Fanny disappeared In a manner old before the wild ducks had begun to pswaded right much. Paws proud which expressed her balanced feelings score the sky above Bronsons slew and he cant read. CHAPTER XIV the mar- ket at Spirit Lake. said Pete. I know Fred Gilbert just as well as 1 know you. But thats all over, now. Youve got to go so fur now to get decent shooting where the farmers wont drive you off, that It costs nine dollars to send a costcard home. I think well have fine shooting on the slew in a few days. said Newton. Humph I scoffed Pete. I give you my word. If I hadnt promised the colonel Id stay with him another year. Colonel. Id take a side-doo-r Pullman for the "and Sand Hills of Nebraska or the Devils Maybe, replied the colonel, maybe not. That would have to be lake country tomorrow If 1 had a figured on. A cracked log splits easy. gun. If It wasnt for a pasel of thlnss Anrliow, Jim went on, whats the that I this disturbed use? keep me hyeh. said Raymond. shant be year to go, too. Id like use? the that and after whats The colonel. said Pete, needs me. the said colonel, you Why, Jim, me lie needs in election tomorrow. the are of breath short arent getting you? Whats the of your ol man. matter and the for mile, i thought you good Newt? What for does he vote for that out horse, a. arent quarter you turning are you? I dont know what all it Is Bonner, and throw down an old neighyou want to do. but I dont believe bor? I cant do anything with him! exyou can do It In nine months, can claimed Newton Irritably. "Hes all you? with Peterson and Bonner. up tangled Jim. Not In nine years! replied said "Well," Pete, If hed just stay ten for years, Well, then, lets plan said the colonel. "I aint going to be- at home It would help some. If he come a reformer at my time of life as votes for Bonner, itll be Just about . a temporary Job. Will you stick If a stand-offnever misses a vote I" said lie we can swing the thing for you?" Newton despairingly. I will," said Jim, In a manner of a Cant you cripple him some way?" solIn some vows the person taking asked Pete Darned funny Jocularly. emn Initiation. when a boy o your age cant control All right, said the colonel. Well his fathers vote I So long I" keep quiet and see how many votes I wish I could vote!" grumbled we can muster up at the election. How, Newton. I wish I could! We know many can you speak for? a lot more about the school, and Jim Jim gave himself for a few minutes Irwin bein a good teacher than dad to thought It was a new thing to does and we cant vote. Why cant him, this matter of musterlug votes folks vote when they are Interested In and a thing which he had always an election, and know about the Islooked upon as rather reprehensible. sues. Its tyranny that you and I The citizen should go forth with no cant vote." coercion, no persuasion, no suggestion, I reckon," said Raymond, the conand vote his sentiments. that the servative, people How many can you round up?" that fixed It thataway knowed best" "Rats!" sneered Newton, the Iconopersisted the colonel. "I think, said Jim, "that I can clast. Why, Callsta knows more about the election of stbool director speak for myself and Old Man Simms The colonel laughed. than dad knows. he repeated. Fine Fine politician That dont seem reasonable," proWell. Shes prejudyced. round tested Jim, you Raymond. up politician! yourself and Old Man Simms and Ill 1 reckon, in favor of Mr. Jim Irwin." see what I can do Ill see what I can Well, dad's prejudiced against him do I He likes er, no, he haln't either. 1 Jim. st. Sometimes I think the more people read the less sense they've got. said I wish I could tie dad np! Newton. I wish I could get snakeblt, and make him go for the doctor I The boys crossed the ridge to the wooded Talley In which nestled the Simms cabin. They found Mrs. Simms greatly exercised In her mind because young McGeehee had been found playing with some blue vitriol used by Raymond In his school work on the treatment of seed potatoes for scab. His bands was all blue with it," Do you reckon, Mr. Newsaid she. ton, that Itll pizen him? Did he swallow any of lt7 asked she felt that her brother was makhut for all that, something awful was the matter. So she went rather slowly to the kitchen door, and casually remarked that 'Newton was dying on the sofa in the sitting-rooYou little fraud I said her father. "Why, Fanny I" said her mother and ran Into the sitting-roowhence in a moment, with a cry that was almost a scream, she summoned her husband. who responded at the top of hls ing believe, m speed. Newton was groaning and In convulsions. Horrible grimaces contorted hls face, hls jaws were set, hls arms and legs drawn up, and his muscles tense. Newton. Whats the matter?" Hls father's Nahl" said McGeehee scornfully. was stern as well as full of anxvoice Newton reassured Mrs. Simms, and went away pensive. Jim Irwins meth- iety. Whats the matter, boy? Oh cried Newton. Oh I Oh I ods had already accomplished mnch In ! Oh for preparing Newton and Raymond Newtle, Newtle!" cried hls mother, citizenship. He had shown them the where are you In pain? Tell mother. fact that voting really has some relation to life. At present, however, Newtle I Oh, groaned Newtle, relaxing. "I the new wine In the old bottles was causing Newton to forget his filial feel awful What you been eating? Interroduty, and hts respect for his father. He wished be could lock him up In gated hls father. the barn so he couldnt go to the Nothing, replied Newton. school election. He wished he could I saw you eatin dinner, said hls become ill or poisoned with blue father. vitriol or something so bis father Again Newton was convulsed by would be obliged to go for a doctor. strong spasms, and again hls groans He wished well, why couldnt he get filled the hearts of hls parents with sick? Newton mended his pace, and terror. looked happier. "Thats all Ive eaten, said he when T11 fix him I" said he to himself. hls spasms had passed, except a few What times the election, Ez? raisins. I was putting strychnine In asked Sirs. Bronson at breakfast em Pm goin at four oclock," said Oh, heavens 1" cried hls mother, Ezra. And I dont want to hear any nes poisoned I Drive for the doctor, more from any one looking at New- Ezra Drive ! ton nhont the election. Its none of Mr. Bronson forgot all abont the the business of the women an boys." election save antiNewton took this reproof In an un- dotes andforgot everything He leaped toward speed. expectedly submissive spirit. In fact the door. As he passed out, he shouthe exhibited his very best side to the ed, Give him an emetic!" He tore family that morning, like one going on the hitching straps from the posts. a long journey, or about to he married into the buggy, gave the spiroff, or engaged In some deep dark Jumped ited horses their heads, and fled toward plot. town. Just at the town limits, he met I sposc you're off trampin the in Sheriff Dillys automoslews at the sight of a flock f ducks the doctor himself at the steersheriff the bile. four miles off as usual? stated Mr. Mr. Bronson signaled wheel. ing Bronson elmllenglngly. I thought." said Newton, that IY. them to stop, ignoring the fact that to him. get a lot of raisin bait ready for the they were making similar signs for "Were Just starting your place," pocket-gophein the lower meadow. wife Your doctor. got ma said the be Theyll throwing up their mounds on the phone." by the first of April." Thank God I" replied Bronson. Not them," said Mr. Bronson, somewhat mollified, not before May. Dont fool any time away on me. Drivel" Wliered you get the raisin idee?" Get In here, Ez, said the sheriff. We learned It in school," answered Newton. Jim had me study a bulletin "Doc knows how to drive, and Til come on the control and eradication of on with your team. They need a alow You use raisins with drive to cool em off." Why didnt you phone met" asked strychnine In em and It tells how." Some fool notion, I spose," said the doctor. caariNiXNOO sa ox) Mr. Bronson, rising. But go ahead if youre careful about handlin the Taking Her Choice. strychnine. a new attendant at the was There Newton spent the time from twelve-thirt-y to half after two In watching Spiritualist meeting and he had forthe clock ; t.nd twenty minutes lo merly been employed In a big departthree found him In the woodshed, pen- ment store. This fact came to light knife In hand, a small vial of strych- when a client requested him to tell the nine crystal before Ii'ra, a saucer of medium that she wished to speak with raisins at his right hand, and another Mr. Green. Certainly, madam, said the new atexactly like partially filled with gopher bait raisins Into which a min- tendant. Can you give me hls Chrisute crystal of strychnine had been In- tian name? serted on tfie point of the knife. Im afraid Ive forgotten It, but he At three-thirt- y Newton went Into only died quite recently." the house and lay down on the horseThe attendant cleared his throat and hair sofa, saying to his mother that he approached the medium. felt kind o fuuny and thought hed lie Tlease show the lady some of the down a while. At three-iort- y ne latest shades of Green, he said. heard his fathers voice In the kitchen and knew that his sire was preparing Its the woman who buys her comto start for the scene of battle. plexion that worries most about It. 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