The morning call., 1892-07-03


whose horse he had unchecked one evening
to allow the animal to drink A boy i'm tina
mills had offered him nickel once for his
one treasure The carved head of a horse
that had once served as whip-han and
perhaps be could contriye in some way to
increase his fund. at all events that was
beginning.
For all his eager planning and eontriying,
however, the evening OF the third found his
hoard amounting only TO 20 cents - little
enough. but more money than he had ever
before had for his own use. What he
should do with it he had not yet decided.
everything seemed inadequate to express
the patriotic pride that was swelling in his
breast, seeking worthy manifestation AT
one time he contemplated investing his
whole store In the biggest cam on cracker he
could buy for the amount and setting it off
at dawn. Again it seemed as though it
might be better to have several packS of
small crackers to be fired at intervals dur
ing the day. Then rocket, 10 be set off in
the evening. claimed his attention, and was
gwen due consideration, but he was still
undecided when he arose at an early hour
next morning and cfept out of the room as
softly as mouse that he might not awaken
his mother. Already there was a pleasant
holiday hustle about the city. The pop.
popping OF crackers was heard ON every
corner. On the principal streets bunting
was hung cut and flags were being run Up
in every direction. Il had not occurred To
him before, but the KID was Just thinking
that it would lie a glorious thing to buy
flag with his two dimes and wave it all dav
long in honor OF the day. He stood gazing
at whole wirdowful of flags when one of
the boys from the mills came running to-
ward him with something carefully held in
strong piece of sacking.
"Hulio, kid, he cried as he approached,
'whatcher think | got?'
Dunno was the reply. What's it?"
do of
the saching and allowed the Kid to peep in.
There, huddIed close together frightened
nearly TO death, were tw0 young ground
squirrels about half grown. As the Kid
looked at them one of them gave a faint
cbirrup and nestled still closer to his COM
panion.
"Whateher goin' Ter do wild emp" the KID
asked.
Tie crackers ter ther tails, set 'em off
an, see the, the ,beggars run. was the prympt
reply. It'll be pile o fun.''
"Whele'd yer git emp" was the next
question.
Up on the hills. They's young 'uns, an
didn't know enough ter run"
The little forms outlined against the
saeking moved slightly, and the Kids hear;
was filled with great longing 10 possess
the small creatures. wish had 'em," he
said.
The other boy jumped at the idea ''Pn
sell EN- ter yer fer two bits" lie proposed.
the Kid had. Finally, after some bargain
ing, the squirrels became his In exehange
Tor his cherished 20 cents. The other boy
went off and the Kid was left with bis
treasures. He could feel them soft aad
warm as he held his hand under them. and
he could also feel the quick, frightened
beating Of their agonized little hearts 'Pd
orter have n cage for EN-" he said Then
be started for home, but first turned for
last look at the array of flags in the window
bod
his mind ran the two lines Hop Sing had
taught him as he learned them in the
mission:
Does the star-spangled banner still wave
oer the land OF the free and the home OF the brave
Yer beteber il does" vas his comment
as he walked away Just then a thought
struck him. It was a very big thoaght 10
find loigment in such rudImentary little
brain, and it brought the Kid TO staadstill.
These here squirrels amt free, was the
thought.
Then began struggle in his small mind
as great as any battle his soldier ancestors
ever fought and won. It was fierce and
hard, but their blood was in his veins and
its influence was bound TO tell. Stock still
he stood, his face paling and flushing alter
nately. while his grip tightened on the bit
OF sacking that held his bargain. Finally.
with great gulp, he exclaimed, "T'll do it,
and started on run, which never slack
ened until he had Iefs the paved
sIfeets lar behind and eIrcled Lake
Merritt, crossed The marsh and was on the
hills. Here he opened the saeking. and
with one farewell stroke of their pretty
striped backs lie set his prisoners free TO
scamper through the stubble again. He
looked up at the blue sky and across the
pretty sheet of water dancing In the sun
light; then back at the city, where the
flags were floating and the hum of celehra-
ton was already rising. For the first time
In his life the free American spirit within
him was stirred. 1--WE done my celebra-
tion.' he muttered. And he had-none
more worthily.
Next day he went back to hist cruld
not be slavery in this blest land, so let us
say his free American toll, at the mills
AnFIJyE ESApp