The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-07-01

Hl seemed TO think that they
N3l had done their whole duty
- when thoy 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 patriotic
scrupes by going to the expense OF hav-
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 a day Of noise and Academia and they
were glad when it was over.
But the younger portion Of the popu-
iaton of Springvi,le amply made up for
the enthusiasm that was lacking in their
sires This was especially true OF us
four boys Tom Parks, Joe Blake, Frank
Brown, and myself.
On the I'd of July we met by APP
pointment at the band-stand in the
square OF course the general topic Of
conversation was the approaching noll-
day and the part we were to take in its
observance
For several weeks previous, we, to-
gether with tie 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 band stand for our last
consultation.
rnI
up" asked Tom Parks of Frank Brown.
The question was repeated, and it was
shown that Tom Parks had 81. Is, Joe
Blake Sl.20, Frank Brown 0S cents,
while l had been able to lay by just
Si.0S.
"Four dollars and forty-one cents,
said ice after few seconds work at
mental arithmetic "Quite lot, amt
jt?"
OR combined savings did seem large.
snow" said Joe, "Tve been thinking
of a way to spend that money"
ooh, that's easy enough" grnmbled
Frank, to whom il was a task of self
abnegation TO save money, even for a
Fourth of July celebration.
Franks observation was overlooked,
and we asked Joe what his proposition
was
I'm years 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 u 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 slim affair, and | think with
what money we have we can getup quite
a 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 surprise, {"
continued Joe. "I'll borrow fathers
wheelbarrow tonight, and Tom and /
will go to Pottslield 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
dad q sweet tooth
ave must get some powder for the
cannon" said Joe.
Sand for my old muskct," put in
Frank.
ais that old relic in existence yet?"
out in Tom!
ayes; it's alive and kicking" replied
Frank.
OF the latter part Of Franks state
hou fac
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 for
Dur 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.
Pottshcld WAS only two miles away,
and the boys ought TO have been back at
nine o'clock, but il 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 efficiently examined the
contents Of the wheclbarrow, the ques-
stion was asked:
"Where shall we put all this stuff"
BY this time our folks were doubtless
IN bed, where we ou9ht TO have been
also, and the barns and sheds locked, so
that there seemed 10 be no opportunity
of secreting the goods at our homes We
DAD not thought OF this in our previous
planning.