Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-12-11
nv fnDEPENDRNCE DAY.

The 4th Of July, 1868, with all the hallow.
cd associations Of the past and its promise in
the throbbing present, has passed away but
it came to me 90 freighted with the memory
Of an eventful day in my life that cannot
sail smoothly on with old Tempus without
first unburdening myself Trusting that
now and then some fretted traveller as he
journeys on nisy be tempted TO peep into and
profit by my budget, cast it upon the high
way
ihad been dining out. The meats served
on the occasion were good, the wines superb,
the speeches were brilliant, and, better than
all, my own unprecedented remarks, which,
by 4 singular coincidence, had haunted me
for the past four days, had been received with
decided ecldt. II was on the night Of the 3D.
Of July, 1856. The show windows were gor-
geous with their display Of fireworks, and,
under the peculiar flicker and multiplication
Of the gas-lights. the rockets and pin. wheels
seemed to be having 4 premature frolic on
their own account
On the whole, / felt peculiarly happy and
amable. A bright-cyed, rosy beggar child
asked me for sixpence: she was STARRING
she said. Ny heart was touched, and threw
her small handful Of silver. Three young
gentlemen Ia,nc swaying arm in arm along
the sidewalk, jostling me rather roughly,
At any other time might have been indig
nant; but now were they not men and broth
ers9 ] bowed gracefully, and at the same
time, I felt confident, with dignity, and step
ped OF the curb stone to allow them to pass
AT last reached my own door. The lock
was out rol order, ior the key won'd NOT turn
it. l rang, first the door.knob, then the
bell, violently. MY next door ncighbor,
Mr.. Green, came 10 the door IN MS calico
wrapper. a
An, Mr.. Grsen,' | exclaimed, steadying
the tottering door post, delighted tsee you.
Is my-my wife IN
Mr.. Green seized me somewhat roughly by
the arm, thereby seriously inconvcnlencing
me, las nc pitched about conslderably.) and
led me to neighbor'ng door.
Where is your night'key, Mr. F.
he asked, gruty.
There were about six pockets in my vest
on that occasion but after while discov.
cred the right one, and produced the key,
with bow. .sv..
The next instant ! found myself inside,
the door closed, and tho only visible link be-
tween myself and the second story, swinging
violently backward and forward. in the shape
of dying gas jet suspended from the cell,
ing. My effort to. resusticate tho spark rs.
suited in total darkness.
After cropping about for while | found the
stairway, and, clutching the banistsr, com.
menced to ascend. This feat was attended
with SO much difficulty that was induced to
bring the full force OF my reasoning powers
to bear upon the performance, and soon dis
covered that had been trying to mount the
hat rack. Abandoning the enterprise, with
smile OF superiority over my weaker sell,
| proceeded in my search. and finally planted
my foot firmly upon the lowest step. Alas
step number two convinced me OF my error,
and our Tommy's new velocipede toppled
over with crash, casting me PROSTATE be-
side it. Then ! saw flash OF light, and
soon, approaching nearer and nearer, (as
though let down by rope from the upper re.
gions,) the white robed, graceful form Of my
eldest daughter. Kitty. Rising and Offering
her my arm we ascendcd the stairs together
As she lett me at the room door turncd ana
solemniy gave her my parehta, pesslng.-
She was vis'bly effected, even bursting INTO
tears and exciAinihs' on' ia'ner J Al shs
hurried away. =,
Inc next morning ! lonna myseh on the
spare room bed with all my clothes on, cx-
cept my cra,at ana one boot. Iho crayat
was on the hearlh ana !he ooot was on the
mantiepiece' cuns were booming, nrs-crack.
srs were mapping, the din OF powder ana
merry voices iilieu the sir ! coula near my
own youngsters shou.-ng out iustiiy IN inc
garden, and IN the hall the hrst bell was ting
hng ns summons lnr1ngn Tue mouse.
II was the 4th o. Jnly' sure enough ana
l. as mead OF he ismhy. must present my
sci! IN suitable array az tne oreakiaSt 'aolo
ana hsugurate inc Joihtles Oh the cay. !
se'zed tne ooot IN one hahd ana tne cravat
IN the other. ana proceeaed meekiy 20 the
apartment generally USED IN common oy MIS-
F. ana myself
AhI mrs. F., SAID oowing rather
sneepisny. ih my auempt 70 pass tho sHair
on as joke" Good morning ma sm
GOOD morning John, replied my VIE,
nor shade OF crossness ~ ner :one.
must 81 GOWN ana waicn inc cniidren, or
they may DO some mischief With their pistols
and lire crackers; but come to breakfast as
soon as you can.
With these words shc left the room. !
. little concerning my spree This sad, gen
tie way o. speaking made me uncomioitaDie'
cough and strut about the room as ! would,
for knew well enough the pain and disgust
gnawinS at her heart, and that during the
past year nad gwen ner 100 frequent cause
ior tne rsproaches tna' never came. thougn
was prepared 70 receive them after every
onencs.
oold water, however, ana cieah CLONES
. placed me up somswnat, anu so"n a'.:l Tue
secono pen rang, : snooe "tesuca'y
hrougn tne nat's' severe ~ ny a,Sh'ty ~
neaa o. shS nouseno.a. neacninS .ns oass-
!neht aooI, pausea nonen'' na" o'caa,ng
% meet .ne rows q young ,aces on eitner
sue ol tne saols, eno my wnes swee', PaIe
g, c9en.enance peamlns % qu'e''y over them alt
ih's monieh,sry we.khess over. WIN pom
pous shcm mustered 'he requisite man
ner ana entered.