Huntsville gazette., 1886-07-10
The town hall and the post-office in an

other. The young girls of the village,
under the superintendent of some
older matrons, were to wait on the
tables, while the older lads were to
serve coffee and lemonade.
1t was a joyous anticipation to all
the young people of Plumville, but to
none more so than Dan Wycliffe, a lad
in moderate circumstances indeed, an
orphan boy who lived with an uncle,
and found few spare moments between
the round of duties constantly required
of him. Dan was a tall, red-haired,
freckled lad Of fourteen, with look
in his eyes which convinced you at
once that he was a boy to be trusted.
His father-dead for more than two
years-had taught him well for twelve
years of his life, and his counsels and
instructions had not been forgotten.
And to-day, with the Fourth only
a week distant, Dan had performed
several errands for the minister's wife,
and Mr.. Orson, who always had sap
proved" of Dan, had gained his uncle s
consent to allow the boy half-hol-
iday, so he could be present at the
evenings festivities; and then Mr..
Orson had further delighted Dan by in
forming him that he was to be one OF
the lemonade committee when supper
time should arrive on this most aus
picious Fourth
That evening as Dan approached the
post-office on his way to post letter,
he noticed the usual group about the
little building.
"Hello, Dan," called out Bill Bent,
good-natured, but rather indolent
young man several years Dams SEN
ior.
81 say, Dan, what do you suppose we
fellows were talking about?"
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, ''we 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 Gen
eral Grants have gone by" and Dick
flourished 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, ''Father used
to say" and now Charlie asked with
pretended innocence:
"What does that mean, Damp"
'tMeans 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 a cow
ard and not do your duty and Dan,
half suspecting the irony of Charlie S
query, answered unhesitatingly and
with spirit.
"Right, my boy, exactly rightH'
spoke up a 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 Cresus, being a gentleman who
kept fine horses, employed a regular
coachman and owned large house in
the city, no one attempted reply, but
as the gentleman passed on, supple
menting his five words of approval
with pleasant nod in Dams direction.
Bill Bent said, with a. twinge of ieal-
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, 1 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 | shall
CO." 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
gorgeously. The sky at sunrise was
flaming with the promise of bright
if fiery day, but towards noon a brisk
wind sprang up, making the day every
thing that could be desired. Prcpara-
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 o'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..
Buckly had returned from the city,
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