The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-07-02

IA seemed to think that they
III had done their whole duty ,,t
- when they invited an out
of-town orator to read the Declaration
of Independence and make speech.
On some occasions-verY rare ones
however-they satisfied their patr!ouc
scruples by going to the expense OF nav
ing balloon ascension. But on the
Fourth of which | write no such excite
ment as this was to be given u.s.
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 Tor
the enthusiasm that was lacking in their
sires. This was especially true OF US
four bows. Tom Parks Joe Blake, Frank
Brown, and myself.
On the I'd of July we met by ap-
pointment at the band-stand i'll the
square. OF course the general topic OF
conversation was the approaching holl-
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 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 cee-
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
up?" asked Tom Parks of Frank Brown.
The question was repeated, and it was
shown that Tom Parks had $1.15, Joe
Blake $1.2O, Frank Brown 90 cents,
while | had been able to lay by just
$1.O8.
"Four dollars and forty-one cents,
said Joe. after few seconds work at
mental arithmetic "Quite a lot amt
it?"
Ovr combined savings did seem large.
'Now," said Joe, "l've been thinking
of way to spend that money"
"Oh, that's easy enough!" grumbled
Frank, to whom it was a task of self
abnegatiOn TO save money, even for
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.
81 suggest" sad Captain Joe. shat
we club together and buy lot of pow
der, fireworks and other nee >saries and
have little celebration of our own to
finish up the Fourth. You know the
towns celebration this year is to be
rather a slim affair, and l think with
what money we have we can get up quite
little surprise for the people old and
young"
THAT'S so. Wonder we haven't
thought of it BEFORE" cried we in
chorus
"Our celebration must be a surprise"
continued Joe "Tll borrow fathers
wheelbarrow tonight, and Tom and l
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 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 contingen'
cies, 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.
as that old relic in existence yet?"
put in Tom!
"Yes; it's alive and kicking, replied
Frank.
Of the latter part of Franks state
ment we have no doubt, for it was a fact
we'll known to las all that the old weapon
was possessed of the habits of an ill
natured 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 full list of
what they were to buy.
Early that evening they started on
their mission, while Frank and ! eagerly
awaited their return.
PottSheld was only two miles away,
and the BOYS ought to have been back at
nine o'clock, but it was fully ten before
we heard the creaking of the wheel
barrow announcing their return. Frank
and | FASTENED to examine the purchases,
and it was evident that the boys had
chosen the articles with an eye to guam
tity rather than quality.
There were two pounds of powder in
an old iron kettle, fire-crackers in all
shapes and sizes, and other parcels of
pyrotechnics too numerous 10 mention
After we had suffic emily examined the
contents of tho wheelbarrow. the ques-
ton was asked:
where shall we put all this stuff"
BY til time our folks were doubtless
In bed. where we. ought to have been
also, and the barns and sheds locked, SO
that there seemed 10 be no opportunity
of secreting the goods 2tour homes We
had not thought OF this in our previous
banning.