The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-03-14

ana believed their father would come
out Of the ordeal without the smell OF
ere upon him.
Then he spoke OF the celebration. OF
the preparations that had been made
for Il. and the disappointment Of the
class and the people II the music was
not given as printed on the programme.
They had a duet In the ode. and It was
not possible to have Il without them.
He prevailed In the end. and the prin-
cipal announced that tho music would
all be sung. 10 the great Joy OF the
scholars.
washington's birthday proved TO be
another delightful aboriginal summer
day In February. at least In the morn
ing. though II did not last quite all
day. The scholars Of the nigh school
dined At home and were on the lawn
In readiness 10 take tho barges that
were 10 convey them 10 "Fairyland."
as Mr.. Blanker had presumptuously
named his place. AZ two O'Clock In the
afternoon. The lake was very pretty.
with a small forest on the farther side
Of Il. but there was little else 10 re-
mind one Of the stories read In child
hood.
rs everything ready ont AZ your
house for the great time. Phil?" asked
Lucy Archer. as a considerable group
gathered around the toller's son.
Everything Is ready. but when my
father got home rather late yesterday
afternoon he found that the flagstaff
man had promised 10 set ip had not
been done" replied Phil. "lIe had 20
work till near midnight 10 set Il up
himself Mother. Phoebe and had 10
help him 10 stand Il up In the hole dug
for Il about ten In the evening. Then
he sent Us all TO bed In order 10 be
ready for Il to-day and flled up the
hole himself"
you had a hard time Of Il" added
Lucy. Il should think Mr. Banker
could have found men enough TO do the
work"
"a man was engaged 20 do Il yester-
day afternoon. but he dld not come as
he had promised" added Phil. But
here are the barges Tho fare Is half a
dollar out and back"
The scholars formed a merry party.
and the girls began TO sing a. soon a.
they were seated and kept II up tln
they arrived AZ "Fairyland." They
were more inclined 10 row In the two
boats on the lake than 10 DO anything
else. By three o'clock-the hour ap-
pointed for the oxcrcisos-there was
quite a large collection OF people gath
cred on the premises General Gain
bridge came In his carriage precisely
az the time and was received with the
most distinguished consideration by
the teller and ehoerod by the crowd IN
general
The scholars had taken their places
al the foot OF the flagstaff on a plat
form provided for them. Another was
erected for the magnatcs Of the town.
and all were seated. The band played
the national airs az an overture and
slid on from them into America. %
whercupon the singers rose and sans
the hymn.
One Of the ciergymen Of the place
then invoked the divine blessing. and
the general was properly announced az
the orator Of the occasion In a fulsomC
speech by the teller Of the bank. The
Grafton was very long and very dry
and the patience Of the young men and
maldens OF the hlgh school vas sorcly
tried hy the innlction. II was quarter
past four when Il was finished. and q
yolley OF slghs went up from the sing
crs' seats when the end came Nothinp
could hurry the general In his dis
course. not even the foariully black
/ aud threatening clouds that were pill
Ing themselves up On the west. and he
could omit no portion OF his accoun,
OF his ancestry from whom the name
OF the town was derived.
As he finished. sharp flashes Of light
ming blinded the eyes OF he audience
and deaioning poals OF thunder nearly
stunned them. Mr. nlanker fastened
the proceedings. and the Gag was run
up by his own hands with n salvo OF
artillery. a. the same time PHI holstod
half way up the stan something like
the topsall Of a ship on which appeared
the name OF the lake In large letters.
Lake Washington. Named In Honol
OF the Father OF His Country" The
band played the star Spangled Ban
nor." and the choir sang A.
Mr. Banker then rose on the plat
form. and emitting the speech h
had intended TO make. announced IN
ode. written for the occasion by Mr.
Pcrclval Lane. the honorod principa
OF the high school. In spite OF the ten
pest that was gathering Il was SUM
with brilliant effect by the scholars
and the voices Of both Conrad an
Olga could be easily distinguished Il
the general harmony. and the solo wa
applauded as though no storm black
enod the sky.
Suddenly the wind began 20 how
and a violent squall came down upo
the scene. Most Of the people fed {
the house and barn. for great drops q
rain began to polt them. The fagsial
bent like a willow rod. The lnscrip
ton was carried into the lake. an
then the pole itself went by the board
Il had been mortised into tlmbo
cross. which was rooted out Of th
ground. az a tree displays its roots In
hurricane.
Those near n saw a box thrown d
IN the upheavaL Conrad ran 10 N
hole IN spite OF the drcnching rain.
was the box OF gold from the ban
vault!
Mr. Banker. who had retired tror
the rosirum 10 the piazza Of the hous'
saw the Flagstaff 20 down and the DO
thrown up from the bowels OF N
earth like a demon from the intornl
regions 20 confront him. lie falnte
| dead AWAY aud WA hnrnn 10 his chan