The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-09
Etla'S Fourth of July.

that you never saw Fourth - said Ru-
pert, as the children sat on the steps
waiting for tea.
81 don't think it's odd at all when she
has lived in India all her life" returned
Hal, patting Eda's shoulder.
Why, yes it is, - put in Alfred. "It
is odd that they don't keep the Fourth. "
"Well, they ought to-" declared AL
bert, who always thought the opposite
to his twin brother.
"Whyg" asked Charley.
cts 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.
"Thst 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, alf-puzzled expression
her face had worn so much of the time
since she had come to live with her five
boy cousins. They were q 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 herparticular regard. Their
rosy faces and light, curly heads were
such contrast to the dark and sallow
forms in 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
itiate her in 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,
she will help u.s..
"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 not 2"
Because we don't have such people
in republic-we are free !" and up went
hat.
You'll 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 n 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 revo-
lutionary battle tomorrow for Eda, and
won't you help us Z"
"With pleasure, what will you have"
"Some battle you were III, suggested
Charley.
"Father was not in the Revolution, ~
said Alfred, III superior manner.
at don't make any difference" re-
piled Charley, family.
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"
"Or grandfather ?" asked Albert.
"No, goosie," replied Alfred, moi
waiting for his father, |" he was i'll the
war of 1872"
"Alfred, remember that You and Al
bert are much alike, and that we are al
free and equal,'" said Mr.. Lee, looking
fxedly ut him. your great grand
father was Mt the battle of Yorktown, IL
1881, the surrender of CORVALLIS.
"Just the thingl" cried Hal, jumping
up. "That was about the close of the
war, and we can have fort.
"Tll show you after tea, Hal, sit still
a while"
Eda stood by, gravely watching thu
construction of the fort and intrench
ments in the back lawn, until all wa
ready but the mounting of the large
crackers, which were to serve as guns.
cit might rain," said Rupert, pru
IDENTIFY.
The rest of the evening was spen
in hearing Mr.. Lee tell war stories o
his own and his fathers experience
which so imbued the boys with mill
tary ardor that a pillow fight ensued OF
going to bed, and Eda sat up with re,
cheeks, and clasped Aunt Bess' hand a
she said:
ooh, if I'd only been alive to help tax
care of the wounded !"
Eda's introduction to the day some
what alarmed her, for she was wake
from q sound sleep by pack of fire
!; crackers exploding at her door, followe
} by the report of a gun outside. She la
moment in trembling anxiety, but
: merry laugh convinced her that it wa
r some device of her cousins, and, spring
. ing up, she ran to the window in time
| see the stars and stripes run up on til
Y flag pole, and to hear the loud huzzas {
D the boys. As soon as she was dresse
q she ran down and received instructio
t from the five in firing torpedoes, whic
Q resulted in spilling whole box on TIL
g stones at once, the explosion of whic
: "blew her." as Rupert said, "into he
y aunt"
The fort was ready. Mr.. Lee had tol