The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-07-13
e9or npnnq Readers.
JIMBO'S FOURTH OF JULY.

THIS gun-and-cracker season reminds
me of limbo and the funny time he
had 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
as though cut out of piece of sat
in. He grew to be wise dog, too !; but
at this time he was only a baby, and
even pop-gun could scare him out of
his wits.
Not strange that he was startled
when he first met Fourth of July.
Bang! whackety! boom" roared
that hero at daybreak, hustling Blue
Eyes out of bed in jitfy, 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 a great company of dogs at the
gate, and that one of them looked wise
enough to say:
"TO-mOrrOw 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 go. jim
DO was good traveller. 1t did not
take him long to escape from the city
into the peaceful district beyond. But,
still timid and frightened, he dared
not pause. On crisp bit further he
trotted, shutting vigilantly for guns
and crackers; then, seemingly salts
fed, dropped down on a 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 blissful slumber, when Il tap
on his nose caused him to spring up in
amaze. A tall, benevolent-looking dog
stood beside him on the bank.
"They'I 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.
But limbo needed not. He was ab-
sorbed in as pretty spectacle as ever
a dogs eyes might view-the lawn of
white country house, decked out for
the bang-whackety hero in true patri-
otic 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 liberty-caps,
gilt buttons, and various soldier-traps.
1t did not occur to limbo that the
bang-whackety hero had aught to dc
with this pretty scene. lie 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.
eve want more horses,' was say
ing a tall boy, seemingly commander,
in-chief. "The procession won't be
nothin' with only these
$50 mean of Maize to run off,
chimed i'll a wee maid. 'IIe shan't
have single cream"
limbo, hearing, but not suspecting,
at this juncture plunged headlOng int
the ring. In the army he had espieG
two dog friends, and was advancing tC
greet them with a series of joyfu
yelps.
Such shout as went up from those
patriot lips!
"Was ever anything nicer"
"Just what we want,
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 o
home.
But what could poor dog do, Will
the whole American army at hi
heels? limbo was speedily capturet
and led in triumph back to the lawn
If baby limbo had not been so thor
oughly frightened, he would hav
thought the next proceeding the fun
NEST he ever saw in his life; for sud
denly appeared two patriots bearin!
big dolls dressed up like soldiers, AM
began strapping them on the backs o
his two dog friends. These were loya
CANNES, old and wise. Very calmly
with just sniff of wonder, they me
their fate.
Poor Jimbo's turn had come. Mi
the approving cheers of the army,
third doll-soldier made its appearance
disagreeably close to his satin back. L
vain he protested and wriggled. Fat
riotism was at its height, and Jimb
would undoubtedly have been force
to submit, but for discovery tha
changed the cheering into walls of di!
appointment and elected from his dog
ship a great sigh of relief.
cts legs are broken. It's no good,
announced the commander-m-chle,
"Whatu ever we do nOw?'
"What'u ever we do?" echoed til
army at large.
In the midst of the tumult the we
maid stepped forth.
"rll lend my daughter she said.
! A murmur of surprise went throug
| the ranks. For Bess to proffer hi
daughter was a concession to patrio
ism not to be ignored, not to be Sigh
ed, either; and the whole army boWe
deferentially as this remarkable dan
sci appeared-a pink-and-white crea
ure. rejoicing in the name OF Dais
| Ann, gorgeously robed in soft tarlatal
| real shoes and stockings. and Orn
ments suitable to her rank, but hol
ored peculiarly by the written placal
which was pinned conspicuously upC
her breast. 1t read: ...
"This is my daughter.
Love her I'd ought-ter,
| Love her do
Poor little mammal If she cou