The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-07-02

b;storic prominence. Tue small boy was
more energetic than old Sol, for he was in
evidence long before the dawn, and the
whack OF the fire-cracker aroused the
sedate inhabitants of Bungtown at an
hour that was more patriotic than COM
Portable. As time went on cannons doomed,
shouts arose. and on all sides the impudent
torpedo performed it's merry mission.
By noon, O crowd had gathered In the
square and the Stars-and-Stripesl lay prone
uoon the greensward, ready to ascend the
sky-scraping pole when the signal should
arrive. Before q rather rickety platform
A crowd of countrymen had gathered.
Above them, seated in solemn state, were
the leading citizens Of the village, sur
rounded by their wives and daughters.
Among them. Matilda Simpson and her
husband, Joshua, famous in local legend.
were prominent.
Lawyer Decker came forward. As the
only orator in the nsighborhood, his ap-
pearance created sensation, and he was
greeted with cordial round OF applause.
Fellow citizens and members Of the
greatest nation in the worlds history" he
began; we are here to celebrate an event
that has changed the fate OF humanity,
and rendered possible the ambitions OF
those who believe in the millennium"
Then he went on to emphasize the sig
nificance Of the day, its historic origin
and the lesson that it bore to this and
coming generations. Applause greeted
his efforts and, Just as he had grasped the
climax Of enthusiasm, he turned his face
to the rear OF the stage and nodded.
There was a commotion for a moment,
and then, in custody of several determined
men, Joshua Simpson was dragged for
ward.
Here. my friends" continued the law
yer, pointing toward the farmer. you see
the old colonies IN bondage. This man.
whom you all all love, Is the practical illus
tration OF what Young America was in the
days preceding July 4, 1776. You know
what mean. He Is plucky fellow, who
conforms to an authority that is strictly
illegal"
A great cheer rent the air, and Mrs.
Simpson, with two bright-red spots on her
cheeks approached the front Of the stage.
She had been, as it we're, hypnotized by
the consensus Of concurrent opinion.
Swear" said the lawyer solemnly. as
he placed her hand in her husbands,
THAT you will let him be boss hereafter"
"Iswear," said the weeping woman.
A roar OF laughter followed these words
Joshua Simpson turned red. tried to break
away from his captors and then lost his
color as he heard a familiar voice cry out {:
Joshua Simpson come back to your Ma
Hlda."
But Lawyer Decker was memorable.
my hearers" he went on, q form Of
slavery that our institutions do not war
rant has been in vogue here for some
time. My neighbor Simpson has weakly
given way to q tyranny that is anachro-
/ nistic-if you will permit me to use word
Won don't understand Now this Is the
Fourth Of July. We are here to celebrate
| the Declaration Of Independence. We can
| not do it In a more effective way than by
| giving our well-beloved llow-townsman
Joshua Simpson, his liberty. Matilda
Simpson come forward"
Swear" said the lawyer, turning to
Joshua, that you will, in memory OF this
Independence Day, always, In the future,
| wear the trousers"
II swear" returned Simpson solemnly.
"Then," cried the triumphant lawyer,
waving his hand toward the village band,
"let us all join in the grand old song OF
Yankee Doodle"