Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-07-02


I had done their whole duty
- when they invited an out
of-town orator to read the Declaration
of Indepcndence and make a speech.
On some Occasions-very rare ones,
however-they satisfied their patriotic
scruplcs by going to the expense of hay
ing a balloon ascension. But on the
Fourth of which [ write no such excite
ment as this was to be given us.
The great day that we boys looked
forward to with so much pleasure was
considered by our fathers and mothers
as day of noise and accidents, and they
were glad when it was over.
But the Younger portion Of the popu-
lation of Springville amply made up for
the enthusiasm that was lacking in their
sres. This was especially true or us
four BOYS, Tom Parks, Joe Blake, Frank
Brown, and myself.
On the I'd of July we met ana D
pointment at the band-stao = rin0
square Of course the genera! topfG "
conversation was the approaching hoil-
day and the part we were to take in its
observance.
For several weeks previous, we, to-
gether with the other village bows, had
spent all our spare moments in collect
ing barre and other materials to be
used in making a big bonfire on the
square on the night before the Fourth.
Besides this general attempt at cele-
bration, the boys individually had been
saving up their spare pennies, all OF
which they felt in duty bound to spend
on their nations birthday.
This was the condition of affairs when
we met at the bands stand for our last
consultation,
"How much money have you saved
up?" asked Tom Parks of Frank Brown.
The question was repeated, and it was
shown that Tom Parks had S1.l5, Joe
Blake S1.2O, Frank Brown % cents,
while ! had been able to lay by just
$l.OS.
"Four dollars and forty-one cents, !"
said Joe after a few seconds work at
mental arithmetic. "Quite lot, amt
it?"
OR combined savings did seem large.
"Now.n said joe owe been thinking
of a way to spend that money"
"Oh, that's easy enough" grnmbled
Frank, to whom it was a task of self
abnegation to save money, even for q
Fourth of July celebration.
Franks observation was overlooked,
and we asked Joe what his proposition
was
Joe was. by reason of his superiority
in wears and experience, our acknOwl-
edged leader, and whatever suggestion
he made was generally received by us
with favor.
81 suggest" said Captain Joe, "that
we club together and buy lot Of pow
der. fireworks and other necSsarieS, and
have a little celebration Of our own to
finish up the Fourth. You know the
towns celebration this year is to be
rather slim affair, and | think with
what money we have we can getup quite
a little surprise for the people old and
young"
THAT'S sol Wonder we haven't
thought of it BEFORE" cried we i'll
chorus.
"Our celebration must be surprise, !"
continued Joe. "Tll borrow fathers
wheelbarrow tonight, and Tom and l
will go 10 POttstield things are cheaper
there than they are here) and buy all
the fireworks we can for the money"
Frank, who had determined to include
candies and cakes among his Items OF
expense on the Fourth, suggested as an
amendment that we each reserve a
small part of our savings for contingent
eies, and this, by general consent, was
agreed upon.
Frank was not the only one of us who
had a sweet tooth.
1--WE must get some powder for the
cannon" said Joe.
And for my old musket," put in
Frank
rs that old relic in existence veto"
put in Tom!
Eyes; it's alive and kicking, replied
Frank
Of the latter part of Franks state
ment we have no doubt, for it was fact
we'll known 10 us all that the old weapon
was possessed of the habits OF an ILL
natureG mule.
Each Of us had some advice to offer in
regard to what should be purchased for
our celebration, and before we parted
that day Joe and Tom had a full list of
what they were to buy.
Early that evening they started on
kheir mission, while Frank and eagerly
Awaited their return.
a Pottsfield was only two miles away,
and the boys ought to have been back at
mine O'Clock, but it was fully ten before