The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-07-09

young man several years Dams sem
Tor.
II say. Dan, what do you suppose we
fellows were talking aboutp"
Fourth Of july" said Dan prompt
ly.
''Not quite. Guess again.
The dedication, - smiled the salts
fed Dan.
mo" chimed in Dick Withers, an
other lad of sixteen, s've were discuss
ing heroes this time, my boy, and we
were saying how nice twas to be a
right out and out hero; but then-the
time for George Washingtons and Cen
eral Grants have gone by" and Dick
fiourished his walking stick apparent
ly obliviOus of the long leap between
his points of history.
'Father used to say" began Dan,
that there were heroes all along the
line, and that they were fighting one
battle or another all the time.
Dick Withers had nudged Charlie
Hadley when Dan began, Gather used
to say" and now Charlie asked with
pretended innocence:
What does that mean, Damp
''Means life is one long conflict be-
tween right and wrong, and you've
got to be man and stand up to your
duty, whatever it may be, or be cow
ard and not do your duty" and Dan,
half suspecting the irony of Charles
query, answered unhesitatinglY and
with spirit.
Right, my boy, exactly rightr'
spoke up firm voice in the rear, and
turning, the boys saw Mr. Buckly, a
lawyer who lived in the city, and
boarded in Plumville during the sum-
mer months.
As Mr.. Buckly was looked up to as a
sort of Croesus, being a gentleman who
kept fine horses, employed a regular
coachman and owned large house in
the city, no one attempted a reply, but
as the gentleman passed on, supple
menting his five words of approval
with a pleasant nod in Dams direction,
Bill Bent said, with twinge of jeal-
Ousy:
"Oh, it's all very well, these fine
sentiments, but it's deeds, not words,
that makes your hero" Then he added
carelessly: "Going to get to the cele-
bration, Damp
Eyes, I hope to"
''Bet your uncle won't let you off,"
said Charlie Hadley, for twas well
known poor Dan had hard master in
his exacting kinsman.
''Oh yes, he has promised me I shall
60" said Dan jubilantly; "and uncle
always tells the truth, I'll say that for
him. :"
You'd say a good word for most
any one, if you could, - said the more
kindly Dick Withers. and pretty soon
Dan passed on towards home.
The morning of the Fourth dawned
rrnwnranrc1xr Tho ell Of
flaming with the promise of a bright
if fiery day, but towards noon a brisk
wind sprang up, making the day every
thing that could be desired. Prepara-
tions had been going on steadily since
daybreak on and around Sky Hill, but
Dan was kept busily at work all the
morning. Not until after four clock
did Dan finally set forth for the Obser-
vatOry, for it was necessary the cattle
should be brought to the barn after
dinner, and the feed prepared for the
rest of the day. Then he had an
errand to do for himself to the village
tailor's, his bath and toilet to attend to;
but at last he set forth. He was hur-
rying by Lawyer Buckly's fine place,
when Mrs. Buckly hailed him. She
was in real distress, needing just then
what money would not buy. Mr..
~
where he had spent the morning, sick;
the coachman had leave of absence for
the day; the men were all off, and the
doctor must be summoned; would Dan
kindly 60 for himP Mr.. Buckly would
reward him if he would.
Dan swallowed hard, tried to check
the blood from mounting holly to his
face, and answered. simply:
Certainly I will go, ma am, but
shall want no reward,
Returning to her husbands room,
Mrs. Buckly informed him she had
found a gentleman who was going for
the doctor.
"A gentleman P" queried Mr..
Buckly.
eyes; young gentleman, tall, red
haired and freckled, but a gentleman
for a that"
Eyes, know" he answered; ''it's
young fellow by the name of Wycliffe,
and ne is a man. 1 found that out
about a week ago"
Mr.. Buckly did not employ the Plum
vile physicians his doctor was in the
next township, two miles away. 1t was
real ordeal for poor Dan, and he
could not Keep the tears from his eyes,
but Mr.. Buckly had shown him little
kindnesses on two or three occasions,
he fancied through Mr. Orson's in
fiuepce, and it was only duty to serve
him now. It would take an hour and
more to reach the doctors, for he could
not run. He was neatly dressed, and
did not wish to hurry.
Then he thought he could ride back
with the doctor, and that would save
now hearing that some of the ladies
had wished they had some particularly
large daisies for the table, which grew
on the Longtown road, and reaching
his uncle's he stopped to get basket
to fill with the daisies as he went along,
but, arrived at the house, it was all
shut up, but one of the COW pals was
laying up by the barn-door, SO he took
that it took but a few moments when
on the LongtOwn road to fill the pail
full to oYerhowing with great blooming
daisies. But arrived at the DOCTORS at
five o'clock and after, he was not at
home. so, leaving a message, Dan
started to walk back to Plumville.
II was surprising, but on the way
Dan could not remember meeting a
single person on the road. Even the
houses looked deserted, as they doubt
less were, for the unusual affair at
Plumville had called from far and near
every man, woman and child who
could possibly avail themselves of an
opportunity to enjoy so rare a treat.
1t was nearly six o'clock and Dan
was rejecting hopefully that he should
reach the hill in ample time for the
supper, if not for the address, when
one or two rockets sped in the broad
daylight across the sky. 1t was too
early for fireworks, but some one who
intended sending off rockets later in
the evening was evidently trying them
rnnnnh nnaral. the nhnrnh than TIE hill