120 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



bravely returned a good-sized stalk of com. "We 

 have a mission to fulfil. We grow an ear of corn 

 that helps feed the people and livestock of the entire 

 world, and we really are worth while, but I have 

 never heard of you fellows ever doing any good for 

 anyone." 



"You talk like one of these new-fangled agricul- 

 turists, you big stiff," commenced Cockle Burr. 

 "Say, what does our old man know about a purpose 

 or a mission? All he knows is to eat and sleep. He 

 ain't bothered about missions or any other fool 

 thing, and don't kid yourself into thinking you will 

 ever do well here on this farm. Why, goldurn it, 

 we have been here on this farm longer than he has. 

 His father and grandfather raised us here years ago 

 when there was plant food enough in the soil to grow 

 cockle burrs, button weeds, corn, and everything 

 else, and believe me, 'bo,' you ain't agoin' to change 

 the old man now. This is our farm, and we shall 

 be here the day the old guy is carted off to be 

 planted with the daisies," chuckled the cockle burr, 

 and at that the button weed, the jimson, and the 

 bull nettle roared with laughter. 



Days and weeks went by, and many were the 

 conversations that took place similar to this one, 

 until one day early in November Careless Jake came 



