San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1892-07-08

1ue OusLlS yOunkltS ndu d glorious
day of it Poor old Grandma Wash
ington tired herself nearly to death
trying to keep up with them but
along about noontime she contrlved
/ to muster up enough spirit and
strength to spank her rash little
grandson right soundly for having
presumed to set fire to a turkey that
was proudly spreading his copious tail
in the cherry orchard. Then again.
later on, both children had TO be
spanked because they wouldn't come
to their luncheon aud weren't hungry
and cried and acted very naughty gen
orally Poor old Uncle Gabriel fell
early in the action; hobbling around
after a pair of vely children was too
much for his rheumatic back and legs
so betimes he Fas packed off to the
negro quarters for rest and repairs.
Meanwhile, up in the darkened
front spare chamber those dozen or
fourteen hounds stretched themselves
moaning under that long, wide hand
somely valenced bed and Miss Praise
worthy nervously paced to and fro
peering ever and anon between the
drawn curtains 10 see whether any
body was killed or anything had
caught fire.
But the most exciting part Of it all
happened happened after din
ner m the evening, when it was quite
dark. Squire Fairfax and his wife
came riding up on a pillioned bay
geIding and they staid to see the fire
works
But who is to explode themP'
asked Gen. Washington
Why, you. of course" answered
his wife. i wouldn't trust anybody
else"
Gen. Washington knew little of the
task which was imposed upon him;
but he was too brave a man to shirk
or finch in the face of an imperative
duty.
1T was an inspiring sight says
Parson Weems in his famous biog-
raphy (page 234). 'a1d / account
myself privileged to have witnessed
it Here did behold tae father OF
his country. foremost among warriors
and statesmen OF his time diyest him
self OF his coat and waistcoat and
neckerchief his face aglow and beaded
with sweat hurrying hither and
thither in preparation; giving orders
to this one and TO that afiixing the
explosive engines and contrivances to
the trees and finally applying unto
them with his own hands the flames
whereby were produced those curious
revolutions and exceeding bright
lights aud startling noises that did IN
turn surprise. please and terrify rs
all and which did in especial con-
tribute vastly unto the delectation of
the children
We can fancy that Gen Washington
thoroughly enjoyed this exercise for
he was good man and he sympa-
thized with the innocent exuberance
OF the little ones True. a particu-
larry proiane pinwheel occasionally
singed his fingers and ever and anon
an irreverent Roman candle shed
shining sparks upon his august neck
and down his dIgnified back: more
over il Worried him 10 hear Martha
continually bcseeching him to 'be
careful and not to 90 too near the
fire aud please to point the rockets
away from the buildings Then too.
he did not enjoy the staccatO female
shriel, and the chorus OF canine bowls
that were family waited from yonder
front spare chamber every time some
new pyrotechnical device was set of.
Yet Notwithstanding these few small
worriting features Gen. Washington
was happy. He loved the children
and he loved his country. and he
found pleasure in doing that which.
at the same time. delighted the former
and celebrated the independence of
the other
The display wound up with the dis
charge of an enormous pinwheel
which shot forth flames and sparks OF
every conceivable color aud shade
and finally burst with report so ter
rife as to shake the cherries all of
their trees and set all the roOsters in |
the neighborhood Growing. Oh it
was charming. splendid glorious
An hour later Miss Praiseworthy
Washington crept down stairs from
the front spare chamber and impress
S vely Joined the others who mad
gathered in the large dining hall for
a sip of wine and luncheon on cakes
OF Martha's own baking. DR. Pres
ton had ingeniously repa red the host
or ut least he had tenderly applied !
10 the generals scorched fingers face.
neck and shoulders certain lotions
salves aad plasters that would in due
time achieve healing results. As he /
sat there at the head Of the hospi;abie /
table the father of his cOuntrg looked |
sadly peppered and battered. He had !
removed his wig for that last vandal !
pinwheel had scorched it seriously |
Yet General Washington was happy. !
Il think " said he. that this kind OF |
jablIalion will not find favor with the
people generally; it involves too much
personal risk"
Il ditfer with you there general "
said Col Page Culpepper y he ele- /
ment of danger sir adds distinct |
charm TO query experience. More |
over sir the noise and excitement |
and spectacle afforded by these
Chinese inventions appeal for sympa
thy to the young particularly. am /
thinking sir that this curious mode |
OF signalling our ns, onal indepen-
dence viii gain in favor and be even
universally practiced by po5ter.ty."
Hearing this Miss Praiseworthy !
Washington groaned and blushed.
Presumably she groaned at the pros
pect Of clarifying over separation
from the mother country for as |
have warned you she was somewhat
OF a tory, and she blushed well
presumably she blushed at the
mention of prosperity surely not
delicate suggestion for the ear Of a
maiden lady. But we must remem-
Der In all charity that III those old /
days folks were pretty unguarded.
not 10 say loose in conversation.
Eugene Field in the Chicago News.
\ WISE P-ecaut on.
St Pete.-How is this? You died
three days ago Why didn't you come
here before?
Shade waited until my obituary