Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-07-09
PHILLIPsBURG,
KANSAS.

Al enthusiasm from the grown
ri people of Springville. They
XII seemed to think that they
Nf had done their whole duty
- when they invited an out
Of-toWn orator to read the Declaration
of Independence and make a speech
On some occasions-VerY rare ones.
hOwever-they satisfied their patriotic
scruples by going to the expense OF hav-
ing a balloon ascension But on tho
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
rs q 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
sires. This was especially true or us
four boys, Tom Parks, Joe Blake, Frank
Brown, and myself.
On the cd of July we met by ap-
pointment at the band-stand in the
square. OF course the general topic OF
conversation was the approaching holt
day and the part we were TO take in It's
observance.
For several weeks previous, We, to-
gether with the other village bows, had
spent all our spare moments IN collect
ing barrels end 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 band-stand for our last
consultation.
How much money have you saved
app asked Tom Parks of Frank Brown.
The question was repeated, and it was
shown that Tom Parks had S1-15, Joe
Blake Sl.2O, Frank Brown 90 cents,
while 1 had been able to lay by just
S1-Os
~Four dollars and forty-oRe cents, 4"
said Joe, after few seconds work at
mental arithmetic. ~Quite a lot, amt
it?"
Ocr combined savings did seem large.
@Now,n said Joe, "Ive been thinking
of a way TO spend that money"
~Oh, that's easy enOughi" grnmbled
Frank, to whom it was task of self
abnegatiOn to save money, even for n
Fourth of July celebration
Franks observation was overlooked,
and we asked Joe what his proposition
was
Joe was, by reason of his superiority
in years and experience, our acknOwl-
edged leader. and whatever suggestion
he made was generally received by US
with favor.
~ suggest said Captain Joe, that
we club together and buy a 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 a slim affair, aud I think with
what money we have VIC can get up quite
f0r he old nd
young"
That's sol Wonder we haven't
thought of it before, cried we in chorus.
@Our celebration must be a surprise, "
continued Joe. @rll borrow fathers
wheelbarrow tonight and Tom and
will go to Pottsfeld things are cheaper
there than they are here) and buy all
the fireworks we can for the money"
Frank, who had determined 10 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 contingen-
eles, and this, by general consent, was
agreed upon.
Frank was not the only one of US who
had a sweet tooth.
~We must get some powder for the
-And for my old musket," put in
Frank.
as that old relic in existence yet?"
put in Toni
ayes; it's alive and kicking, replied
Frank
OF the latter part Of Franks state
ment we have no doubt, for it was a fact
well known to US all that the old weapon
was possessed Of the habits of an i'll
natured mule
Each Of US had some advice to offer in
regard to what should be purchased fol
our celebration, and before we parted
that day Joe and Tom had full list Of
what they were to buy.
Early that evening they started OF
their mission. while Frank and l eagerly
awaited their return.
Pottsfield was only two miles away
and the boys ought 70 have been back n
nine o'clock, but IL was fully ten before
We heard the creaking OF the wheel
barrow announcing their return Frank
and l fastened TO examine the purchases
and il was evident that the boys haC
chosen the articles with an eye to guam
tity rather than QUALITY.
There were two pounds of powder in
an old iron kettle, tire-crackers In al
shapes and sizes, and other parcels oil
pyrotechnics too numerous to mention.
After we had sufficiently examined tho
contents Of the wheelbarrOw, the Ques
ton was asked;
" mere elAll We put al THIS SluMf
By this time our folks were doubtless
In bed, where we ought to have been
also, and the barns and sheds locked, SC
that there seemed to be no opportunity
Of secreting the goods at our homes We
had not thought OF this in our previous
planning.
SAY. fellows whispered Joe. sud
denly, why can't We hide it under the
bandstand?s
The place referred to was a hexagon-
al, box-like offair that stood in the pub
lie square at the base of the flagstaff.
It was three or four feet high, and this
elevated platform was occupied by the
local band on occasions like the one now
approaching The sides were composed
OF lattiee-work, painted green, and the
space under the floor was used by the
authorities to stow away various articles
belonging to the town for which no i'm
mediate use could be found.
1t was close to the spot where we had
halted for consultation, and leaving the
barrow in the shadow OF a fence, VIZ
fastened TO examine IL as q possible re
ceptable for our goods.
Just the thing,7 said Tom, peerlng
through the lattice-work. @But how car
We get In? The door is locked"
-Oh. that is easy enough" said Joe;
-there's loose board in the floor thai
father intended to nail down sumo time
ago" docs father was ianitor Of ths
FQTR HAlhh 'eat luckily Cor v 30 ieg