Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-07-13
9or nou,ra Readtrs.
JIMBO'S FOURTH OF JULY

Ibis gun-and-cracker season reminds
NE OF limbo and the funny time he
hal some twenty years ago.
limbo was dog, that lived with lit
tie Blue Eyes grandfather from the
day he was born till he died. He was
a beautiful creature black and shiney
rs though cut out of piece of sat
IN. He grew to be wise dog, too; but
at this time Re was only baby, and
even pop-gm could scare him out of
his wits.
Not strange that he was startled
when he first met Fourth of July.
Bang whackety, boomr roared
that hero at daybreak, hustling Blue
Eyes out of bed in a jiffy, and limbo,
too, from his cheese-box couch at the
side.
Grandpa said perhaps limbo had been
warned; that the night before he had
seen great company of dogs at the
gate, and that one of them looked wise
enough to say:
Tomorrow monster will come
He will fire guns and crackers every
where. There will be fire and smoke
and noises hideous to hear. We ad-
wise you, inexperienced limbo. to
scamper out of the city as quick as you
can
At all events, limbo was Intercepted
stealing off that very night, and he
took the first opportunity after that
bang-whackety below to gallop down
stairs and off toward the green coun-
try, as fast as his legs would 90. Jim
DO was a good traveller. 1t did not
take him long to escape from the city
into the peaceful district beyond. But.
still tlmid and frightened, he dared
not pause. On crisp bit further he
trotted, shutting yigilantly for guns
and crackers; then, seemingly salts
tied, dropped down on bank to rest.
So weary was limbo that he scarce
noted where he dropped He stretched
out his Jaded legs, and was just sink
ing into a blissful slumber, when a tap
on his nose caused him to spring up in
amaze. A tall, MISUNDERSTANDING dog
stood beside him on the bank.
They'll want you up there" he
said. eff you're wise, you'll run
away And, with these advisory
words, he trotted briskly down the
road. i
But limbo needed not. He was alb
sorbed In as pretty a spectacle as ever
dogs eyes might yiew-the lawn of
a white country house, decked out for
the bang-whackety hero in true patri-
otto style. Big flags everywhere. wee
flags and streamers floating jubilantly
from the green tree-boughs; and. hud-
died together in the center, numerous
little people, radiant in Hberty-caps.
gilt buttons, and various soldier-traps.
1t did not occur to limbo that the
bang-whackety hero had aught to do
with this pretty scene. He dreamed
not OF the horns and torpedoes the
army held in store, and right curiously
he crept up through the gate.
The patriots did not note. They
stood anxiously discussing ways and
means. s' #.tE
I've want more horses" was say
ing tail boy, seemingly commander
in-chief. 1.-The procession won't be
nothin' with only these"
80 mean of Maize to run off,
chimed in a wee maid. ''He shan't |
have a single creamr'
limbo, hearing, but not suspecting, |
at this juncture plunged headlong into
the ring. In the army he had espied |
two dog friends, and was advancing to !
greet them with series of Joyful |
yelps.
Such a shout as went up from those
patriot ipsl
'Was ever anything nicer!''
''Just what we Wantr'
And, with one accord, they rushed |
upon limbo, who, suddenly recalling
the words he had heard by the road |
side, realized the situation and scam
pered off diligently in the direction of |
home |
But what could a poor dog do, with
the whole American army at his
heels? limbo was speedily captured |
and led in triumph back to the lawn.
If baby limbo had not been so thor
oughly frightened, he would have
thought the next proceeding the fun
NEST he ever saw in his life; for sud
denly appeared two patriots bearing
big dolls dressed up like soldiers, and
began strapping them on the backs of
his two dog friends. These were loyal
CANNES, old and wise. Very calmly,
with just a sniff of wonder, they met
their fate.
Poor Jimbo's turn had come. Mid
the approving cheers of the army,
third doll-soldier made its appearance
close to his satin back In
vain he protested and wriggled. Pat
rlotlsm was at its height, and limbo
would undoubtedly have been forced
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