The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-07-06


entire force.
Serves Mr.. Turner right for spend.
ing SO much money on an old British
Sheep" 'Phrastus whispered to Har.
vey.
Aunt Priscilla noticed with surprise
that 'Phrastus neither whincd nor
pleaded when she reannOunced her
Fourth of July edict. She repeated the
command in order to keep her own
resolution firm, for she dearly loved
the mothcrless boy, mischievous as he
was.
You "hain't been giving him money
for firccrackers or dossying him up,
have yc, Benz" she inquired of her hus.
band.
No. / amt" responded Uncle Ben
But jest think ont Perscilla. The
llcft of a boys Twin is rumpus. and to
choke him off on the Fourth! lt's-wcll,
it's plaguy cruel! He'll bust"
NO. he won't! You jest let him alone
Benjamin Arbucklc. It's time lie
learned that cats and wash-b'iler and
other folks had some right on the
Fourth Of July's wells boys"
where you going. 'Phrastus?' she
demanded, when the Fourth IF July ut
last arrived. rs quiet In their imme.
diate vicinity us IL it had been n Sun
day.
Down to Mr.. Turner's wood-lot to
sail my boats.",
lie had tho boat conspiciOusly tucked
under his arm. Aunt 'Silla regarded
him with mixture Of reinorse and
suspicion.
You amt fired Off your pistol yetT
| Nom; don't wantcr, Once amt moth
in. It'd sound as IL it'd lost itself"
Your pas flag il in there OH the to-
BILE"
THAT'S had too much powder
Already" 'Phrastus had carefully
studied up this smart speech in ad-
vance,
Hum" Aunt Priscilla shifted.
We'll. so long then. II you go to That
pradc. sir. you know what you'll gel"
"Ain't goin'.'
And If hear Of you hanging round
any Of the other boys houses, you'll
catch it,"
"Yes'm."
'Phrastus slouched off with an air Of
deep seated melancholy till the barn
was between himself and Aunt 'Scilla's
rcm0rscful eyes. Harvey had more
than kept his promise. and 'Phrastus
executed the final steps of Il war;
dance
Amt he good. though! I'll hunt
dogs for him all day. Look ut these
two big fcllers! They'll do for Long
TOMS on the Chesapeake"
1t was not yet nine o'cock, but there
was every promise of hot day. The
leaves hung mOtionlcss; the cattle were
already seeking shade. 'Thrastus rub
bed his arm across his perspiring face
wonder why it's always so awful
hot on the Fourth? Maybe cause
there's so much fire everywhere.
Wouldn't it be fun to have II snow
fort?'
Hc bcguiled the way by a delightful
fancy of flying snowballs. each carry.
ing Il lighted fire cracker. until the
climbing of the last fence brought him
into the edge Of the woods.
Through the pond. Il shallow drinking
| place for sheep. n small brook flowed
'I'hrastuS snt down under Il tree, and
padded his bare toes In the water with
Il sigh Of content.
IF there was only jest one other fell
Ter with me. wouldn't it be prince"
But then he'd have to be the British
and get beat. cause I'm bound to be-
'Merican."
'Phrastus had planned n naval engage
ment that should reverse fact Of his
tory. One Of Uncle Bcn's fav0rlte
stories was OF the ship Chesapeake.
when the English ship Leopard forced
her to strike her colors In time of
peace. Uncle Ren's grandfather had
been sailor on the American vessel.
| md tho story JInclc Ron loved 10 lis
ten to as child, he loved to tell to
'Phrastus
But 'Phrastus had determined that
those ships should meet again on Mr..
Turner's pond with very different
result.
He began his preparations. The five
cent flag rendered the Chesapeake top
heavy: so lie stuck it into the bank be-