The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-06-30

celebratin."
Law" cried Mrs. Phillips blissful-
ly, I'm feered on my soul the woods
looks like circus.
The woods were, indeed, gay in the
extreme. Strips of bunting were festoon-
ed from tree to tree. Everywhere there
were brilliant paper lanterns, and every
where there were flags
"a man feels good on the Fourth o.
July" said Farmer Phillips, smiling
about him. I'm glad, sis, that you
fixed up fine basket fer the preacher. "
1t is impossible to remember all the
wonderful things that Miss Fannie's in
genuity managed to gather together at
the woods festival, but it is no mistake
to assert that the principal attraction
on the grounds was at Miss Fannie's
own table Walking up and down the
fancy table with careful deliberation
was diminutive clown.
The clowns gay little legs, his bril-
liant headdress, his hideous false face,
were all in turn attractive, but 1t was
the clowns witty tongue that brought
the crowd and the pennies to the fancy
table.
Now he's a-pertendin he's old
hayseed," explained an admirer of the
diminutive clown. Hes a-markin Jim
Harley. who Jest backed out the crowd.
Now he's city gentleman. Look how
straight he's holdin hisself. Lord, If
he amt markin the new preacher. 3"
Miss Fannie wasn't oountin on
that" said another sdmirer of the
clown, laughing heartily as Miss Nor
ris put her hand over the little fellows
mouth and spoke to him sharply.
Then the clown auctioned off cake,
mimicking the man who in another part
of the grounds was auotioning barrel
of corn, and the people roared in hearty
approval.
But the greatest admirer Of Willie,
the clown, was Mrs. Phillips.
William" she said exoitedly to her
husband, "hev you ben here till the
candles is lighted and amt seen the
clown" She had overcome every ves-
tige of scruple that Fourth Of July
festival ought not to be held in the in
terests of the brick church In her admit
ration and JOY of Willie. the clown. 81
declare to goodness she went on,
you've missed the best part O. the
show if you ain I seen the little clown.
Farmer Phillips followed his wife to
the fancy table, and the crowd wedged
in between them as he stood looking at
Willie, the clown. Was this bit of bril-
liant color q little human child? The
eyes of Farmer Phillips strayed to the
children in the crowd and fingered up.
on their round innocent faces before re-
turning to the hideous false face of the
clown. Could it be true that the witty
sayings, the raillery, the mimiory pro-
oeeded from almost baby lips? The fool
ish people were clapping vociferously.
"Give us the hayseed ag in, little
Teller" demanded voice in the crowd.
Farmer Phillips turned and walked
away, his hands deep in his pockets.
The good humor and jollity had vanish
ed from his face and frown establish
ed itself instead. He was thinking pro-
foundly when he discovered that he was
on the outskirts of the woods he and
some other man, the new minister of
the brick church
Sir" said Farmer Phillips sternly,
"I've been back there to the fancy table,
lookin at that there clown"
$50 have l, =" said the new minister.
cts cryin shame, 3" roared Farmer
Phillips. 1--WE are collectin fer the
brick church today, sir; we are cele
bratin the Fourth O. July today, sir. "
Eyes, " said the new minister, land
I say also that it IS a crying shame
Then Farmer Phillips took a good
long look at the minister. He was
young, very young; he was a scholar
and gentleman he was new to the
brick church neighborhood. Perhaps he
was new also to woods festivals and
fairs The majority of the people were
hugely enjoying the antics of the little
clown; his wife was enjoying them,
and she was good woman; Miss Fan
ME Morris was good girl and smart
girl 1t would not do for the new
preacher to administer public reproof
to his almost 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 it warmly.
"You and think alike on one sub
ject, anyway, and | reckon, mayb be, as
we think alike on good many" said
Farmer Phillips, II am goin back
yander and try to stop that there bust
ness at the fancy table. I'm gu old fell
ler and I've known Miss Fannie all her
life. ="
There was considerable commotion
on the fair grounds when Farmer Phil
| lips returned to the region of the fancy
table. Evidently the evening was break
ing up. Here and there lights were 60
ing out suddenly. and the gathering to-
gether of large families was proving, in
many cases, difficult undertaking. He
found Mrs. Phillips seated in the wagon,
holding the reins. Beside her was the
| figure of no less parsonage than Will
lie, the clown.
Jump in quick, William, " shouted
the good woman, "the horses is rest
less " Then she looked down at the di-
minutive clown and explained: I'm
takin him home fer mother to see.
never set eyes ON sech a funny little
Teller in all my born days. Well, the
new preacher won't have no cause fer
TO quarrel over the proceeds O. the
woods festival 1t certainly has been
very enjoyable Fourth. "