The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-07-03


their steps to the creek, half ashamed
OF being SO cross with Beth. but they
were very sore at the idea OF their care
Iessness having lost them the expected
trip to town on the Fourth, and must
vent it on some one, and Beth was the
only one on whom they could As they
passed the milk house they saw their
grandmother busy among her milk
pans, and overheard a few words OF her
conversation with grandpa, who had
stopped for a glass Of milk
ut is a pity, father, that the Fourth
does not come on Saturday this year,
then you could take in the butter at
the same time and save an extra trip
this busy season"
1T does, - replied Mr.. Downs; that's
" hat 1 calculated on when told Beth
would take her.
You surely are mistaken" and
grandma raised her voice a tride higher.
well, well, mother, we won't quar-
rel; the almanac will settle it ="
The boys passed on, but what they
had heard Weakened a train of thought.
ut would be mODstrous good joke
if grandpa should get hold OF the wrong
almanac and miss the day. I wonder
how Beth would feel getting into town
2 day after the show" and Win rolled
over and over on the grass at the
thought of Beth's disappointment.
Z
an old almanac in the place of the new
one; there is a pile OF them in the gar
ret, and ten to one grandpa would never
know the difference" said Jamie.
The plan was so brilliant a one that
the seining for minnOws seemed very
tame, and the boys dropped their nets
and ran back to the house, consulting
as they ran.
A hurried search for an almanac to
suit their purpose, and as quickly down
stairs again, for it was nearly time for
the men to be in to dinner. There was
no one in the large. airy kitchen, and
it look but n minute to transfer the old
almanac to the nail by the door, where
the new one had so lately swung to and
fro. The boys hearts beat quickly
when they went in to dinner and found
grandpa studying the almanac
ut is just as 1 said, mother, - running
his finger down the page, the Fourth
comes on Saturday; you certainly can
not dispute the almanac; who ever
knew it to be wrOng?''
Win and jamie bent low over their
plates, while grandma brought forth
proof after proof to show that the
Fourth was on Thursday last year, and
consequently must be on Friday now,
as it was not leap year. Grandpa lis
tened with a gOOd-natured smile.
''Wel, mother, 1 have followed the
almanac for fifty years, and guess
will abide by it now"
Saturday morning came clear and
bright and Beth, IN her fresh white
| dress and brOad-brimmed hat, stood
waiting for Jerry to bring around the
old chaise which had been in use thirty
years, or more.
VIII and Jamie could afford to be
pleasant after the magnificent joke
they had played on her.
Don't scream when the firecraclers
! go off, Beth, for people will think you
never saw any before"
Tell us all about everything, Beth,
and be sure to bring US a red balloon"
''Oh, don't forget some peanuts, -
begged VIII, ''it will be the only Fourth
| we will have"
- wish you would go, the Fourth is
more for boys than for girls, - began
! Beth, but Jamie interrupted her: you
can tell us all you saw, and that will
| be fun for u.s." and he gave VIII a
nudge.
Beth and grandpa rode off in the high
old chaise, Beth with her pockets filed
| with ginger-snaps, while under the seat
! was wen-flled lunch basket. She
sang little songs of happiness to the
nOdding clover and daisies along the
road as they passed, for a day in town
only came once in a long time, and be
| sides, this was the Fourth OF july.
! when ali nice things happened They
lived far from neighbOrs, and the ont
| side world seemed very wonderful to
| her, so she was glad when the long
drive came to an end. and the streets
of the village appeared.
But what deserted look they had!
Tired and sleepy-as though after q
day of pleasure the whole town had
taken q resting-sPell. Along the road
were scattered burnt frecraclzers and
empty paper bags.
Its dreadful quiet for Fourth of
July, isn't it, grandpa?" and Beth
looked very anxious
Mr.. Downs drew in old Yhiteface,
| and called to a man in a store;
Where does the celebration take
placer"
The man laughed why, old man,
you are day too late for the Fourth,
we had ali that yesterday. Where have
/ you been, anywsy?''