Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03

| to administer a public reproof to his al
| most unknown flock. above all to Miss
| Fannie Morris. whose heart and soul were
| in the work of keeping him among them.
The Indignation died in the breast of
| Farmer Phillips. and he held out his hand.
The new minister grasped 1t warmly.
1ou and l think alike on one subject.
anyway, ard l reckon. maybe, as we think
alike on a good many said Farmer Phil
lips. II am going back yander and try to
stop that there business at the fancy table.
I'm an old Teller. and I've known Miss
Fannie all her life
There was considera BILE commotion on the
fair grounds when Farmer Phillips return
Cd to the region of the fancy table. Evi-
IDENTIFY the evening was breaking up. Here
and there lights were going out suddenly,
and the gathering together of large fam
lilies was proving. in many cases, difficult
undertaking. He found Mrs. Phillips seat
ed in the wagon, holding the reins. Beside
her WAS the figure of no less a parsonage
than Willie. the clown.
Jump In quick William" shouted the
good woman. the horses is restless" Then
she looked down at the diminutive clown and
explained. I'm takin him home for moth
er to see. l never set eyes on sech funny
little Teller in all my born days. Well the
rev preacher went have no cause fer to
quarrel over the proceeds G the woods fes-
tival. 1t certainly has been a very enjoya-
BILE Fourth
Farmer Phillips gruntel. climbed into
the wagon and took possession of the reins.
Then he gaZed down curiotsly at Willie.
the clown.
WAS Miss Fannie telEn' you anything
about him. he asked.
Law! yes" returned Mrs. Phillips. II
was at the fancy table the most O. the day.
She borrowed him from the city 'syium
fer the festival and I've got to git him
back 20 her early in the mornn' He's the
smartest little Teller in the sylum. He's
hen adopted no less'n five times. but he
will take people off. and folks laugh at him
and Spite him fer a spell, and then git mad
at him and send him back to the 'sylum.
Laws. I'd never git tired O him; declare
couldn't tear myself away from the
fancy table. He's fell over against you,
he's so powerful sleepy. / hope he wakes
up. FER ! certainly do want mother to see"
Farmer Phillips docility remained wit
him as long as they We're travelling along
the pike with vehicles before and behind
them. hut when they turned into the lane
it deserted him ard he brought his horses
to a stand-still.
There amt no harm in celebratin' fer
the brick church and fer the Fourth O.
Juiy all at once he declared. breathing
hard. fer the love of little brick church
ay We'll go along with the love of coun-
try. I've always been a great hand fer
patriotism, powerful hand fer patriotism
nut l low that no man can rightfully love
MS country and be without love in his
he.'rt Ter his fellerman. l low that no
true American citizen can take pleasure
IN seem little human child turned into
ECfoon on the Fourth O. July" He
eItred across at Mrs. Phillips, who was
staring at him in specchess amazencnt.
DO You think. asked farmer Pnillips
hcarsely. that | would carry sech a thing
as this 10 the house yansier? Do you think
as L would let mother look at sech a thing
this
He Invested the little clown of his ga;
head-dress and threw it out upon tn,
ground.
Laws. William gasped Mrs. Phillips.
Farmer Phillips crushed the false face
between his great hands Now help me
off with these here leggins, Sis" he com
mandcd.
Miss Fannie sets powerful store on the
ilttle clowns iXin's. said Mrs Phillips
tmi,ily, but for all that she helped off with
the lesgins.
The little clown relied from side to side
as he Vas liberated from his gaudy cos
tune and then he fell back contidin-ly
against Farmer Phillips.
Hes a mighty pretty little Teller -
murmured Mrs. Phillips She took possess
ion of the empty basket and climbed out
OF the wagon when they reached the gate.
hut she stood at the gate ana wtited for
sleeping hoy.
She locke: at the child as they stepped
upon the porch together. He's a mighty
pretty little feler.' she repeated, u rcck-
on as mother'll be glad to see him when
he gifts awake. I'm sorry that | promised
10 maui him over TO the mill early in the
mornin'. l reckon. William" She added
ntrVously. 'as them clown fxin's cost Miss
Fannie Il power o money"
III settle with Miss Fannie" said Far
racr Phillips gazing down fondly at his
feiiow-rnan- Hes never gunno be /. clown
agin. he added. "Ef he gifts to takin'
of anyone. he's to be give a tirstrate
spankln mind. This here little Teller Is
adopted fer the last time. Sis
Laws. iiian. is tina; true" questioned
Mrs Philips. She locked again at the
sleeping child. bent suddenly ana kissed
the pretty face, and she did 50 the
patriotism of Farmer Phillips sank into
her soul
LOUISE r. BAKER