Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1898-02-17

well. it will be different 10 that Of
the days OF t.7s.- was the ssntertious
answer But voaId it,
Il don't like 70 see that EngVf<hman
around you 40 much whispered Bor-
den few minutes later
Why, he bshavss himself replied
Miss Dan. with w,Ii-feigned a<touish-
meat.
Bat 4 amt patriotic. don't you see
was the retort- You ought 70 stand
up for your country. and - Washing
tom This last proudly. for Borden
was really elated at the character he
was taking in the play.
SO I must make this . national at
fairg-
NO. just a personal affair. bu; be pa
triOtie in it,
Thus the matter stood when Wash
ington's birthday dawned-an armed
truce between the opposing forr~s.
each Of which was intent on winning
the prize and confident that IL could
be done.
soft blew the southern breeze and
eAs" 80 AAAE - A1Al NAAAE~ IS
plain came the breath Of spring tha.
was giving the first earnest of its glory
The settlers rode in from their claims
in wagons. the ranchmen came on
horseback. and the line Of ponies that
fringvd the sehoolkoass yard was for
midabie- The Engli>hman came in all
the glory Of bis best cio-hes. while
rt.-.Isu -. H.. .u-...--ram = -.
fr0ntier dress that 50 well became
him
-No reserved seats. come right in
welcomed the storeke~p<r a< be took
the tickets az the door The crowd
ebeyed and fIied the front seats. the
back SEATS. and oserf'owed the ai<les-
Vow. ladie< and xentlem-n.- an
uouneed the <,orske-per. when all was
ready. -vxe viii present .he great drama
CT the time Of Washington. as is most
appropriate on this OCCASION
The curtain rolled up tsgain a sheet
on pole. and the simple incidents that
had been chosen to give a representa-
tion Of the life of the first president
were one after another called forth
There was nothing but peace until the
net where the meeting of the hero and
ccruwaIIis occurred Then as the
two rivals came on the little stage there
was a howl Of delight from the men
present, for each knew how matters
stood
Borden looked dagyers ut Glade. and
as bis turn came TO speak all realized
hat he was putting strange senti-
menfs into the mouth Of Washington
when he said. ~You may be as good Il
man as the rest Of US. but you are not
so brave
CORVALLIS eolored. and the store
keeper remarked to his wife: -Bless
Il I don't think Borden struck home
that time
Bas Gfade responded. with due cour-
tr<y. 1T remains 20 be proved as 20
that snd then went on with his set
speech
The play was long ard the audience
vas evidently weary when the final act
came The rivals were on the stage and
there was \ chance for some more r~par-
tee. which was likely to be given when
suddenIy there was a sound from the
outside Of the house that caused the
heart Of every auditor 70 sink with an
ill-dehn<d fear IL Was whinny OF ter
ror FROM a sore Of horses thruats-
| Quickly the people rushed from their
seats and to the windows and doors
WHAT they saw wa~ something tnat i
never without It's message OF alarm for
the ranehmaE aEd the settier-the
prairie was on fire
/ In an in<taat almost the house was
emPtied- The women were crying and
the men were trying TO calm the fright
ened horses one by one the wagons
we're hurrying OF. the owners ANXIOUS
TO get home or at least out Of the reach
| Of the danger.
| I: ~as high time.
Like q sea OF fame the onrushing
blaxe was sweeping across the dry sod.
| licking up the long grass Of the ravines
| and making quick work Of the crisp
eosering Of the higher lands The wind
had ris<n and was bringing the attack
/ ing army coward with rapid pace
There was no chance for the school
hoas~ TO escape. In a serambliny. push
ing mass the people left the place and
,h~tr wagons and horses were dottiny
/ ,hS same-li1hted main Two men
found themselves side By side quarter
/ os mile from the building. each on his
broucho and each g.Ilopinz toward the
rorth-