River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-07-02

a snort Walk around the yaru, anu,
opening the door. remarked:
IL am an old soldier and q patriot,
but l fail to see what use there is in
trying to celebrate the nations birth
day with Ice cream and lemonade. !
am going down TO the store. and want
TO be let alone. except by people who are
enthusiastic over the day because 10 Is
a nations birthday; and as for the rest
Of them. those who howl merely be-
cause il is a holiday, ! want them to
keep away from me-"
John Harmon dominated his women
folks'-at least, he thought he did. Had
anyone suggested TO him that his meek
little wife and handsome daughter had
their way in any manner whatever, he
would have scoffed at the idea. He was
by no means a tyrant. but he was one
of those men who cannot bear to think
that they are not omnipotent In their
own family circle.
When John Harmon left his home
that morning and walked TO the store.
he was not at oil disturbed by any
thought of what his wife and daughter
might or might not do. During the day
had he given the matter any particular
thought, his narrow mind would have
told him, no doubt, that they would
remain ut home, leaving him to Join i'm
any celebration that might occur up
town.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Harmon and Rhoda,
ever their coffee cups, were having a
discussion in which the husband and
father had no place. excepting as a
troublesome factor.
"Rhoda. you'll have to give Tom up,
that's ALL" said Mrs. Harmon, in her
gentle way. II like him. but your pa
doesn'., and you know how set your
pa is when he makes up his mind
Here's John Simpson. now. He'd give
his two eyes for you-and you tell me
you refused him. Why, child, that man
isn't 80 yet, but he's worth n hundred
thousand. anyway"
Lets not discuss the matter" said
the girl. quietly. II made up my mind
on that matter some time ago, and
there's no use talking about it."
Fifteen minutes later Tom Wheeler
drove up to the front gate. and Rhoda
went out and joined him.
The picnic was held in a large grove
about four miles from Watson, and
hardly any denizen of the village old
enough 10 comprehend whax the day
was set Inside for missed attendance.
AS usual. there were several ovcr-en-
thusiastic persons there, and these had
brought out an old brass cannon, of the
vintage of 1912, which they were firing
at sr~h brief intervals as to warrant an
accideDt-and the accident happened.
John Simpson was assisting in load
ing the cannon. which was overheated,
and Just at the moment that he was
about to ram i'm a charge of wadding.
the weapon was prematurely dis
charged. carrying away the larger DOR
ton of his right arm.
Quick as thought. Tom Wheeler, who
was sitting with Rhoda In buggy near
BY, sprang out of the conveyance and
ran to the rescue of his late rival.
Mr.. Harmon was also one of the first
arrivals Mt the scene of the accident.
'SOme people are always sticking
their noses into other folks business"
he sueered. as soon as he saw that John
Simpson was not seriously injured. "If
l."
That sentence was never finished. Al.
that moment a woman's voice screamed:
Toni Toni"
The next instant Tom Wheeler was
pursuing a runaway horse. with all the
strength of his athletic young limbs.
and John Harmon, forgetful of every
thing but the fact that his only daugh-
ter was behind that horse. stood speech
less and helplessly staring.
IL was not a sensational runaway.
Within so yards Tom managed TO catch
the buggy and to climb into it from
the reaI-and when. after he turned it
round aud drove back. neither he nor
Rhods exhibited sign of excitement
but John Harmon was as pale as death.
until he made certain that ms only
daughter was safe. Then came another
sneer. as who should say:
anyone can climb into a runaw ny
wagon. If they're swift enough afoot.
but
Take me home. Tolo-Tm III. QuIcl
~. please" pleaded Rhods.
About five o'clock tina. evening
Wheeler came into Harmon's hF rdware
store. and asked him TO come outside
for a minute
~Wen2" asked Mr.. Harmon. doubt
fully.
What viii you sell your plsee for. sir.
Harmon2" Tom asked. without any pre-
liminaries.
u haven't gone into the market yet.
And. supposing have, my young friend.
have you any thing to buy with?"