The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-07-08
Eda's Fourth of July.

/
that you never saw Fourth p said Ru-
pert, as the children sat on the steps
waiting for tea.
" don't think it's odd at all when she
has lived III India all her life, = returned
Hal, patting Eda's shoulder.
"Why, yes it is, . put in Alfred. cit
is odd that they don't keep the Fourth. y
(" Well, they ought to-" declared AL
bert, who always thought the opposite
to his twin brother.
"Why2" asked Charley.
"It's no reason that they ought to, be-
cause they don't, +" said Alfred.
People don't always do what they
ought, said Hal, from the dignity of
elder brother.
That don't make it any BETTER" re-
marked Rupert, and on went the ami
mated discussion, full of gesture and
argument.
Eda looked from one to the other with
the half-pleased, half puzzled expression
her face had worn so much of the time
since she had come to live with her five
boy cousins. They were constant sur
prise to her, so fresh and gay, yet SO
amenable to their mothers voice. They
startled her sometimes, and nearly upset
her with their boisterous fondness, each
one claiming her particular regard. Their
rosy faces and light, curly heads were
such a contrast to the dark and sallow
forms III India, and their vigorous talk
and actions not less strange after the
slow movements and soft tones of her
early native associates. She had been
sent by her father, her mother being
long dead, to Aunt Bess to be educated,
and the boys felt it their pleasure to in
ltlate her III all the customs which she
only knew by report, SO the discussion
soon turned to the best way of showing
Eda the value of American Independ-
ence.
Here comes father" cried Alfred,
"he will help us.
"Well, little Princess, here you are,
surrounded by your faithful courtiers, :"
said Mr.. Lee, kissing Eda, who shyly
put her hand In his, as the boys gath
cred about him.
"She can't be a Princess tomorrow,
father, said Albert, earnestly.
'And why note
Because we don't have such people
in repubio-we are free IL and up went
hat
"You'n never be free from the realm
where Eda reigns, that of love-"
"Oh, no." cried all, trying to kiss
her at once, from which she instinctively
turned and chung to her uncle.
Carefully, boys, remember that Eda
is not one of you" cried mothers gentle
voice, and a stampede was made for her.
But she was used to it, and stood her
ground, to Eda's delight and admiration,
for she enjoyed looing on better than
sharing. At tea Hal broke forth
Father, we want to have some re7o-
lutionary battle tomorrow for Eda, and
won't you help .uss''
With pleasure, what will you have?"
Some battle you were In, suggested
Charley.
Father was not In the Revolution, !"
said Alfred, in a superior manner.
cit don't make any difference" re-
piled Charley, family.
eyes it does" said Alfred, emphatic
ally. Gettysburg would not do for
tomorrow"
"Why not, it was July third re-
torted Albert.
"But 1868 is not 1776, said Alfred,
getting red.
"Boys, warned Mr.. Lee, "you know
grandfather was in the Revolution, and
he has so often told me of his battles
that can tell you"
ssOur grandfather e. asked Albert.
| ''No, goosie,'' replied Alfred, not
waiting for his father, he was in the
war of 1872"
s'Alfred, remember that you and AL
bert are much alike, and that we are all
free and eqatdl,'" said Mr.. Lee, looking
fxedly at him. "Your great-grand-
father was at the battle of Yorktown, in
1881, the surrender of CORVALLIS. f"
6 just the thing!" cried Hal, jumping
up. "That was about the close OF the
war, and we can have a fort.
"I'll show you after tea, Hal, sit still
while"
Eda stood by, gravely watching the
construction of the fort and intrench-
ments in the back lawn, until all was
ready but the mounting OF the large
crackers, which were to serve as guns.
g 1t might rain, said Rupert, pru-
IDENTIFY.
The rest of the evening was spent
in hearing Mr.. Lee tell war stories OF
his own and his fathers experience,
which SO imbued the boys with mill
tary ardor that a pillow fight ensued on
going to bed, and Eda sat up with red
cheeks, and clasped Aunt Bess' hand as
she said:
ooh, if I'd only been alive to help take
care of the wounded! !"
Eda's introduction to the day some
what alarmed her, for she was walked
from sound sleep by pack OF fire
crackers exploding at her door. followed
by the report of a gun outside. She Lay
moment In trembling anxiety, but
merry laugh convinced her that it wa'
some device of her cousins, and, spring
ing up, she ran to the window in time tx
see the stars and stripes run up on th'
iag-pole, and to hear the loud huzzas O
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