Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-23
B0B'S INDEPENDENCE.
BY LIZZIE CHESTER ATwOOD.

CN6GI OlO L curtin L IL udNG. SIONIGO
Bob Craven. shut up with three old
maids and tabby cat all Of 'em scared
to death if they smell tire-cracker"
Come over to Jefferson, Bobby boy,
and let the old ladies look out for EN-
! selves. Fore I'd be tied to Aunt Sukey
AIMS apron strings"
Her name amt Sukey Ann, jim Jen-
kins." For Bob's conscience smOte him
when he heard any one else speak rudely
| Of his auntS
Samanthy Jane then; what's the odds?
But I'll tell you what, Bob, there's going
to be fun over there. Creased pole with
ten dollars in pocket-book on top,
| wheelbarrow race and dinner on the
green, and two hundred dollars worth
of fireworks to top Oft. Tell you what,
my boy, if had the stamps you've got
you wouldn't catch me cOoped up here
all day"
whats the use talking, when you
know they won't let me co."
Let you go. suppose they won't tie
up your feet, will they? What's indie
pendence day good for if a Teller can't do
as he pleases once year? Just you look
here till | tell you plan" And jim
drew nearer, casting furtive look at the
house. You get out of bed when you
dearo' think you're going to get the COWS.
Then you come down to my house and
mall give you some hash and We'll
take the seven o'clock train to Jefferson,
and let the old ladies whistle till we get
back"
who's going to pay for all that?"
asked Bob, for he knew jim had a way
Of getting up excursions and suddenly
remembering that he had left his DOckef-
book at home
reckon I'll pay my own share" jim
answered, grandly. You needn't be
scared"
We'll, I guess can't do it any way.
Father told me | must do what they said
when he went off, though | guess he for
got the Fourth was coming. He always
let me do what I wanted to then"
" All right" said Jim, putting on in
jured dignity; reckon | can have fun
enough with fellers that amt afraid of
their own sbadders." And he sauntered
off slowly with his hands in his pockets,
whistling Put me in my little bed" He
went very slowly though, for he knew
Bob well enough to feel pretty certain
that he would be called back before he
reached the bridge.
Bob did great deal of thinking as he
watched Jins stubby little figure going
down the hill He remembered what his
mother said and just how her blue eyes
looked before she left when she told him
to obey his aunts.
They have never been used to boys,
Bobby" she said, land they may some
times seem strict on that account, but
you may be very sure they will never do
anything that is not right, and in giving
up you will only be giving up your own
way You may be very sure, Bobby boy,
that if there is doubt in your own mind
about anything it is safer not to do it,
and it is better not to do thing than to
mourn for it afterward Above all things,
my boy, remember that you are a gentle
man, and never be betrayed into saying
a rude thing to or about your dear
aunties"
BOb's conscience smote him rather Sc
verely as he remembered those last
words, and how his own ungentlemanly
speech had given Jim jenkins an OppOr-
tunity to speak more rudely still lie
felt little sore as he thought how jim
had called his Aunt Rachel, with sllvery
hair and peachy cheeks, "Sukey Ann
and "Samanthy jane" so, though I'M
looked back and smiled very invltlngly,
Bob made no sign.
But as BLESSINGS brighten as they
take their flight" so, the more impossible
it seemed for Bob to spend his Fourth at
Jefferson, the more impossible 1t
seemed for him not to do it. After he
had kissed his aunties goodnight and
rone TO his own room, he leaned out Of
the window and looked lovingly Jetfer-
sonward. and watched intently for the
: few stray rockets and Roman candles
which neon1e who liked to anticipate
were sending up.
And when he sank to sleep at last it
was only to dream of the time when he
shouId throw off the shackles of boy
hood and be free and Independent as air
Bob woke with a start from dreams of
gunpowder and sky-rockets to a full sense
Of the Importance of the day and his own
thralldom.
ITS too meanm he muttered to him.
self. Such lots of fun only three miles
off and me not in it. I've mind to 90,
ANYHOW. Father would let me quick
enough. They're all asleep down stairs,
and icould do it like mice"-Jim hadn't
improved Bob's language" Oh, dear me !!
the more | think of it the more it seems
like | must"
Something ought to have whispered to
Bobby, then don't think of it." but
nothing did or else he didn't listen. With
one plunge he was out Of bed dressing
himself in his Sunday suit. Such pref
ty suit as it was! Fine white duck with
a sailor jacket embroidered by his moth
er's own hands, blue and white striped
stockings and blue necktie, and a brown
straw hat. Bob's most serious quarrel
with jim Jenkins had been when he told
Kim he dressed like girl baby, and nick
named him, Esther Fine"
The sun never rose upon fairer Fourth
than this which Bob had chosen to throw
off the yoke and declare his own indie
pendence. He tiptoed down the back
stairway with his boots in his hands,
more like a frightened, disobedient little
boy than freeborn American citizen.
He gave sly glance into the sitting
room as he went by, to see if any one
was stirring, but he saw nothing more
formidable than Aunt RacheFs gray
knitting work on one side of the table,
Aunt Rebecca's silk patchwork in the
willow basket, and Aunt MiIlicent's
crotcheting in her little silk bag.
Aunt Millicenti Bob's best beloved
and prettiest aunt. When he thought of
her his small heart almost failed; for a