The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-11-19
rART Ill.


of artillery filled the air, and vast guam
tity ot bad rum was consumed, in the urdor
ot patriotism. All good children went TO
the Fourth of July Sunday School Cele-
hraton, ate crackers and raisius and heard
an address from the Rev. WctwhistlC. while
bad boys performed the Independent
Training and the cannous, jokes and fire.
crackers, with which the field and tavern
were euliVcucd.
There was no work on the farm that day;
the mill was silent, and the store closed.
Mr.. James in the forenoon patroni2cd the
dry crackers which he furnished the Soci.
ety--and the dryer discourse, furnished by
MIR. Wctwhistle, ut the Sunday School
Celebration--and aztec dinner went tO an
auction.
1t was contrary to the custom of Milbrook
to transact business on the anniversary of
our nations independence; but poor
widow having few household articles and
farming utensils to dispose of, the people
had charitably offered to go and purchase
them on the Fourth OF July afternoon.
The auction sale was at an Old farm house,
some three miles from the village but not
wlthstanding the distance. James resolved
TO walk thithcr in company with II party of
his ucighbUrs, On his way, the merchant
perceived his brothers Walking in the same
direction, but with different parties and
when he reflected on the sad change which
had taken place in his family within year
and Il half, he was very much cast down.
"Orcc we were as one man in every
thing" thought he. We were strong
happy-and the world looked ON lis with
uncommon respect. Now that we are di-
vided, we are blamed by some, scorned by
others, and prosecuted by not Il few. Pco-
pie take advantage OF our weakness TO pro-
mote their own selfish ends and we set
them the example by injuring each other
For the past year my profits have been u
mere nothing, compared to what they have
been heretofore
The conversation of his companions
aroused him from his reflections. The
party walked leisurely to the auction, and
soon after the sale commenced.
The widow Wilson was moro benefited
by patriotism that day than anybody else.
The auction affair was more beneficial to So
ciety, than all the gun,fring, drinking, and
lighting at the training, and all the march
ing hand in hand, eating cakes and raiains,
and hearing duh speeches at the celebration.
People bid generously; everything went up
at high figure. James bought horse at
Enthusiastically all he was
wor;h-and bid of II great variety of
other articles, without much hope Of ever
being able TO dispose of them at profit
Richard, too, showed his PATRIOTISM for he
bought set of harness, a calf, and some
farming utensils; and Joseph bid off a
chaise.
After the auction sale, or rendue, as it
wnE pnllpI NVna nVpr tbn bot,ints ,f MI
brook gathered in groups. TO discuss poll
tics and the weather, and to offer vague
touching the prosperity OF the ma
ton, and of the widow Wilson, when cry
of surprise called the attention to glare in
the western sky, in the direction of the vii
lagr,
Fire! fire exclaimed the awe-strcken
crowd
The placid groups were in an instant
hcaving to and fro in CONSERVATION. Pco-
pie rushed in every direction, and the few
who had come on horseback or in vehicles
made hasty preparations to depart, Each
man seemed to think it was his own house
which was burning, and the utmost confu-
sion prevailed
James was holding the horse he had pur-
chased, aud which he was going to lead
he snorted and plunged, and it was with
James could hold him. Tn"
young man was in state of great perpex-
ity and alarm. Anxious as he was 10 fly
to the fire, he dared not attempt to ride
without a bride. Just then Richard hur-
red past him. James remembered seeing
him bid off a harness.
Brother for Gods sake" cried James,
A la,,I I L.,
for | think it is my store burning"
THE fire is in the direction of my house"
began the excited Richard
well, put the bride ON my horse, and
you shall ride behind me-
That horse won't carry double, said
son OF the widow Wilson.
For heavens sake, what shall we do?"
cried James. "Ah! there is Joseph; he bid
oft the chaise Brother! brother !"
Joseph turned.
James, is that you?" said he hurriedly.
my mill is on fire, am sure. Haven't
you harness for that horse? We might
put him into my chase, and drive to the
village in tenth part of the time it will
take one to run there, while my buildings
are burning
" Richard has n harness" said James.
.NOt dhOllcI WOIV WAS hpOEch' III was
no time for parley. In an instant the h@r
ness was dragged out of the shed, and
thrown upon the horse. James aid Rich
ard buckled the hames and girths, while
Joseph wheeled the chaise ont of the barn.
The three brothers worked in union, as
they had been accustomed to do in days
gone by; and So well they understood ev-
cry movement of each other, that the horse
was harnessed in the thils with astonishing
dispatch, and they were on the road as
soon as any of heir ncighbors, excepting
hose on foot.
Richard, with the natural energy of his
took the reins and drove. Ned
Wilson gave him a whip and away they
lew with the speed of the wind. Trees,
houses, fences flew past them; foot pas
'engers gazed with envy as they saw them
80 by; aud the chaise with them was soon
.he foremost vehicle on the road.
But they arrived at an impediment; they
we're obliged to stop, Some drunken pa
riots had deemed it a part of their duty in
the day to roll large log into
he center of the road, where no vehicle
.ould pass on either side.
Joseph and James jumped out, but their
lnited efforts were not sufficient to move
he log Richard sprang TO assist them,
md the three succeeded in removing the
mpediment. What neither one nor two