Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-07-01

cry island floating down the meadow
stream, to the music of nymphs and
the ripping of Eden waters. The bells
ring in joyous peal, and each stroke Of
the metal thrills the tramping multi
tude with a shock Of indefinable enthu-
siasm. Great thoughts of the glory
and greatness Of the country swell in
many a bosom, wholly unused to any
extraordinary emotions. With what
profound awe and admiration does
that youth stand yonder in the street,
now wildly gazing, with eyes and
mouth wide open, first at the crowd,
and then at the banners strung from
chimney to chimney, and steeple to
steeple! The town folks take him to
be an unripe vegetable, just because
he wears what he pleases-boots for
service, more than for squeaking-
coat, bob-skirted and gray, rather than
rudely Haunting, and bell-crowned
hat capricious enough to hold all the
gingerbread he can afford to purchase.
Well, If he has no right to look as he
pleases, nor to thrust his hands deep
into his pockets, in support of the in
dependent Indifference of his posi-
ton, and on such day, of what avail
are all the boosted privileges of the
country?
It is now towards burning noon. All
the shops and factories have turned
out their Haunting troops of fashion
and beauty. Long professions, stream
ing with perspiration and begrimed
with clouds Of the mother element,
are completing their everlasting cir
cults through the populous streets.
Squads of juvenile followers have fall
len off, and musical instruments begin
to sound as though their owners, in
stead Of desiring to give out much
more liquid martial melody, were in
need of some sort of liquid them
selves. The van members of the pro-
cession, having ended their journey,
stand quite at ease, converting their
hats into fans; and, considering the
circumstances, look with very cool
complacency upon the unfortunate
ones who are left to bring up the rear.
Soda fountains and small beer estab-
lishments are now in the height OF
operation. Phiz!-crack!-popple!--
popple! and expelled stopples go whiz-
zing and booming from the foaming
muzzles of angry bottles, now glad to
break loose and take revenge for past
confinement. A thousand threats are
gurgling the delicious liquids, and
twice that number of lips are smack
ing, expressive Of grateful satisfaction,
much to the aggravation of innumer-
able youngsters who stand looking on,
mournful from the want of a few cop
pers, to enjoy similar indulgences.
Beneath booking pavilions, in crowd
ed halls, or happily in the green grove,
at last gather the eager host. Fans
fit like swarms of cooling phantoms
before glowing faces, and the orator
of the day opens with the ominous
"Fellowcitizens" For an hour ne
sinks and scars, generalizes from Rome
to Plymouth, and becomes lost in the
immensely Of themes. But now the
grand festival is at hand Toasts, NIL
sic, cheers-and, then, there is no cal
culating how easily the responsibilities
Of the country weigh upon the minds
of the well-feasted multitude.
The day declines and the sun hovers
in the west like Roman candle, fling
ing its hazy light over the hills. Or
there it glares, with great red eye
towards the east, as though winking
in defiance of the monarchical powers
beyond the Atlantic. The streets be-
gin to echo the tread of tagging feet
Day pales into twilight, and, as the
western star comes out, rocket as
cends to greet it, and mock its distance
AS darkness creeps over the land
scape, lawns and parks darken with
human throngs; while windows, bal
comics and housetops tremble under
the weight Of pyrotechnical gazers
Shout after shout rises through the
smoky air like the murmurings of the
sea, as the heavens glow with eccen'
hric fires, in mimicry of the fireworks
of the armament. But the hour has
gone by, and in the gloom of night the
weary wanderers HE to their homes
Silence and darkness draw their cur.
tains over a sleeping nation, while
dreams Of the departed day still ling
err around. Morning will soon come
again, and call forth the toiling mill
ions to the heat and burden Of {
weary day. But sleep now in peace, "
suffering sons and daughters Of Nam
mondom! and dream We Of liberty
not your own, though name dear, anC
- "a