The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-07-06
interestsi4 my welfare. but 1 guess 1
will stay with the sheep"

lnteresJal9 my welfare, but L guess 1
will stay with the sheep"
You ought to know the best course
to pursue, but I don't like to see you
throw yourself away. Going to stay
till after the Fourth?"
Yes; I came down to celebrate.
Going to have a good time?" 1 in
quired.
"Bill. you will hear a couple of good
speeches. The mayor told me he was
getting up a dandy grafton. and he
is going to spring a surprise on the
people. Well, I must make my round.
They are trying to kick up a row over
to Kelsey's, but I will make it warm
for them if they do" he said. walking
away.
On che morning of the glorious
Fourth the booming of the black
smiths anvil and the prolonged yells
of Young America aroused me from a
profound slumber and filled my soul
with patriotism. I hurried1y donned
my pants and socks and passed through
my bedroom window on to the roof of
the stoop, the better to see the throng
around the anvil.
He must be an officer Of some kind,
to judge by his uniform"
wonder if that's the latest style of
doing hair?"
"Maybe he is going to deliver an ora
ton"
These remarks yer followed by a
giggle. I wondered where the speak
ers were, and to whom they had ref
erence. Turning my head, I saw four
young ladies, dressed for the days
sport. standing on the roof of the
stoop of the adjoining house, not
twenty feet from me. 1 fell backward
through the window, nv patriotism
all gone.
"Who lives next door, aunt?" I asked
at breakfast
Daniel Craig. His daughter Susie
was over to see me this morning, be-
fore you came down. She has been
away, and only returned last night. I
will take you over and introduce you"
she replied.
I'VE will wait until after dinner" 1
said, fully determined not to come
near the house again until late bed
time.
When 1 reached the street Jerky
was busily engaged forming the pro-
cession. The mayor and the orator of
the day headed the procession
The mayor sat astride of a large,
white mule, who occasionally whisked
his tail or sarcastically pointed one
ear forward when a fire cracker burst
with unusual violence in his immedi-
ate vicinity. The mayor was attired
in his Sunday suit, aud wore a long,
fierce mustache. His signet of Office
dangled at his hip, a full grown Colts
revolver.
The orator of the day was mounted
on a c~lay-colored broncho, who could
hardly keep two feet on the ground at
a time, SO nervous had she become
over so much noise. 1t required all
the riders attention to keep her in the
street So arduous were his efforts
that the sweat was dropping from his
nose.
When Jerky at last gave the word to
u1dTCu, d uCuo LII buG CIOWo biIGW d
bunch of lighted crackers between the
mule and the mare. They began ex-
ploding like a volley of musketry, and
the dust began to roll up. The mare.
with a terrified snort, flew across the
town site and into the timber, out Of
view. The mule Strengthened up, and,
turning his head, surveyed the dust
and fire, and started in the opposite
direction.
whoa, Jerry!" yelled the mayor; but
Jerry did not whoa" and was soon
out of sight.
The crowd howled and swung their
hats. Jerky spurred his horse to the
front, and held up his hand.
"Fellow-citizens," he proclaimed,
1--WE will not follow the leaders, but
keep right up the street to the grounds
Music by the glee club. March," he
yelled.
There were ladies and gentlemen on
horseback, in wagons. and o. foot