Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-08-26
ssItftto storp.
One Fourth of july.
ny ELIZABETH A. $. CHESTER.


Ia the city our great national holiday i,
but synonym for gunpowder and
speeches. In the country alone can agree
able individual sentiments be blended with
those of the Patrick Henry order. For III
culcating love of country in the breast OF
young man nothing surpasses a slow drive
on Fourth OF July evening, with a pretty
girl, beside running water and beneath ov-
er srching trees. He feels ready to bleed
and 10 die for such glorious land. Few
men country bred, fail TO include ih their
experience some such indictments to loyal
ty. and few can fail to recall the anxieties
aud perturbations they underwent about
engaging "'the girl' and ''the team" Well
do | remember the portentous consulta-
tions we boys used 10 hold behind the
horse sheds, Sunday moons, and the sol-
emn interviews on barn floors. beginning
away back In June, and gradually ap-
preaching climax on the morning of the
great day. We could meyer be certain that
our wisest arrangements. our most FAR
sighted plan might not be frustrated. for
we had TO do with elements upon which
there was no relying. Eve know a horse
TO come down with the "heaves" at the
eleventh hour. aud I've known girl at the
very last minute TO send note stating that
circumstances over which she'd no con-
troll, etc. There was no being sure of any
thing until you had your horse in the har
ness and your girl in the buggy, and the
uncertainty rather added to the interest of
the occasion.
The summer after was nineteen
worked NJ haying for Squire Dinsmore.
No one need take a prejudice against my
story because define my position rs thus
lowly. I've since been TO college. studied
a profession, hung out my shingle in 4
thriving town and been elected TO the up
per branch Of the State Legislature. AT
A. N. Fourth OF July morning, the Squire's
entire household were awakened by bell
ringing, canuonading and drumming on
the common-sincc q park. AT 2 large
chip came whizzing against the cornice.
jost above my window slept In the attic.
and Bob Harris voice cried out "John-
ME. Jo-ohnie Alden. what in thunder are
you dreaming about! Why aren't you down
hereY'
The Squiree mother-in-law slept in the
chambe: beneath mine, and the squire
himself in room under that. They were
both people fond Of taking out their slee p
In Il Christian manner. First the old lady's
window flew up.
Young, man. said she in piping treb-
lie. I'm an old woman who hasn't but few
years more to live, and I've been greatly
| disturbed by your singing and firing. When
you get TO be as old as l am you won't
look at these things as you now do. As a
friend advise you to 90 home and to bed,
and to stay there until q Reasonable hour in
| the morning"
Up went the Squirc's sash. '.Confound
| you, you rascal; don't you come around
my house. II 'usn't enough for you to keep
honest folks awake all night by your pow
WOW on the green, we'll give you some
thing to do that Is something!"
| This was hard on poor Bob. The good
natured fellow started to run, and knew
| by the expletives he had plunged into those
| thorny Cherokee rose bushes.
'"Hold on, Bob! Go around to the wood
house and III be down In moment -
shrilly whispered from the window.
i never tried to get out of Mrs. Dins-
more's house In the night time by any OF
the regular avenues but that stepped in
to tin boiler or tipped over pan of dry
beans; so l went to the window at the
other end OF the attic, swung myself on
the ell roof, and from the ell to the ground.
where Bob awaited me. We went on to
the common and prowled around with the
ether boys. firing salutes. blowing horns.
| and prophesying what the day might bring
forth, until the dawn, with its rObin-sing.
ing and cOck-crowing, had grown into sun
rise. Then Bob and 1 were for a minute
left alone. roOstiDX ON the cannon, and
Bob. lowering his voice emphatically re.
marked:
$50 Stacy has really cut you out with
Mile. l never did have any confidence in
that girl; she takes on too many airs"
The boys had sll the morning been teas
ing me about Stacy and Millie, but Bob's
remarks were confidential and intended to
be eOhsolatory, Consultations from ones
fellows on affairs of this kind seldom is eff.
hcacioas. made no reply save that the
Squirs's breakfast hour was an early one
and must be going.
Stacy was down to breakfast as affabls
and self-possessed rs ever. He hadn't beer
annoyed by the iring-oncy never admit
ted that anything annoyed him-such rus.
tic customs appeared foolish Of course, bul
were well enough, undoubtedly, for those
who could enjoy them.
Stacy was Squire's nephew and 4
wealthy mans son. He was spending {
Yale vacation at his uncle's and having q
lively Irritation with Millie Winn. the cler
gyman's daughter. hated him. / couldn'
remember when hadn't had IN interest Il
nillit Winn.J I had digged more wells fo
her to fll with water from pipt dippe
than could coaot, gathered hnsheis
Wild grapes and afmfhls Of arbutus for her
suffered duckings innumerable geffin,
pond liliee for her. broken my arm ant
three ribs pitching ont of chestnut tire.
whittier had gone In her interests, drag
esd her ON my sled when there vas Is,
least skim of sn0w-in fact .thsee'd bee,
: no1hlne -Of which . growing, healthy ho,
VAS oc6pAbae, but I'd done Of suffered 3