The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-07-05


sayings, the raillery, the mimicry pro-
ceeded 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-
foundry 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,
GIVE been back there to the fancy table,
lookin at that there clown. =
$50 have ], - said the new minister.
"It's cryin shame, roared Farmer
Phillips. "We are collectin fer the
brick church today, sir; we are cele-
bratin the Fourth O. July today, sir. y
Eyes, said the new minister, land
say also that it's crying shame. .
Then Farmer Phillips took a good
long look at the minister. He was
young, very young he was 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 a good woman; Miss Fan
ME Morris was good girl and smart
girl 1t would not do for the new
preacher to administer a 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 l think alike on one sub
ject, anyway, and l reckon, maybe, as
we think alike on good many" said
Farmer Phillips. 81 am goin back
yander and try to stop that there bust
ness at the fancy table. I'm an old fell
Ter, 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 a 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 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 F"
Farmer Phillips grunted, climbed in
to the wagon and took possession Of the
reins. Then he gazed down curiously at
Willie, the clown.
"Was Miss Fannie tellin you any
thing about him?" he asked.
"Law, yes, :" returned Mrs Phillips.
81 was at the fancy table the most O.
the day. She borrowed him from the
city 'sylum fer the festival, and I've
got to git him back to her early in the
mornin He's the smartest little Teller
in the 'sylum. He's ben adopted no
less'n five times, but he will take peo-
pie off, and folks laugh at him and
Spite him fer spell and then git mad
at him and send him back to the 'sy-
lum. Laws, I'd never git tired o. him.
l declare l couldn't tear myself away
from the fancy table. He's fell over
against you, he's so powerful sleepy. l
hope he wakes up, fer I certainly do
want mother to see.
Farmer Phillips docility remained
with him as long as they were travel
ing along the pike with vehicles before
and behind them, but when they turned
into the lane it deserted him and he
brought his horses to a standstill.
''There amt no harm in celebratin
fer the brick church and fer the Fourth
o. July all at once, " he declared, breath
ing hard, fer the love O. little brick
church may we'll go along with the love
o. country. I've always been great
hand fer patriotism, powerful hand
fer patriotism, but | low that no man
can rightfully love his country and be
without love in his heart fer his Teller
man. l low that no true American citi-
zen can take pleasure in seein little
human child turned into a buffoon on
the Fourth O. July" He glared across
at Mrs. Phillips, who was staring at
him in speechless amazement.
''Do you think, asked Farmer Phil
lips hoarsely, that / would carry sech
thing as this to the house yander? Do
| you think as l would let mother look
at sech thing as this?"
He Invested the little clown of his
gay headdress and threw it out upon
| the ground.
Laws, William p gasped Mrs. Phil
lips.
Farmer Phillips crushed the false face
between his great hands. "Now help
me off with these here leggin's, sis, .
he commanded.
"Miss Fannie sets powerful store on
the little clowns fxin' s., +" said Mrs.
Phillips timidly, but for all that she
helped off with the leggings.
The little clown rolled from side tc
side as he was liberated from his gaudy
I costume and then he fell back confid
ingly against Farmer Phillips
He's a mighty pretty little Teller, ;
murmured Mrs. Phillips. She took pos
session of the empty basket and climbed
out of the wagon when they reached the
gate, but she stood at the gate and wait
ed for her husband to follow after he
with the sleeping boy.
She looked at the child as they step
ped upon the porch together. Hes ;
mighty pretty little Teller, she repeat
ed. 81 reckon as mother'll be glad to Sc,
him when he gifts awake. I'm sorr.
that promised to haul him over TO tn
mill early in the mornin. reckon
William she added nervously, "a
them clown fixin's cost Miss Fannie
power O. money"
"I'll settle with Miss Fannie, = SAT-
Farmer Phillips, gazing down fondly a
his fellow man. "He's never goin to b
clown ag in, . he added. IF he gifts t
takin off any one, he's to be give a frs
4.