The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-12-16
1%liSIE&lancpus
An EARTHQUAKE OR A BOY.
kY FEANk r STOCKTON.

In the early part OF II certain sum
mer the selectmen of n little New
England town determined TO erect
high pole, on which new flag was to
he raised Oh the coming Fourth of
July. According to the ordinance
which they passed, this pole was to
be set up OF the highest point of land
within mile of the Town Hall, pro-
vided the owner of such land should
consent.
The town people were very glad to
have the pole and it was expected
that the raising OF the new flag, with
the attendant speeches and other
ceremonies, would be Tery interest
ing eyent. aud would not only attract
the town folks but mnny persons from
the surrounding country.
Bat after the matter had been talk
ed over fer day or two, some of the
more thoughtful of the inhabitants of
the town began to find an objection
to the ordinance.
The seIecrmen cid not think what
they were about" said Mr.. Silas
Markle, the schoolmaster, when
they voted to put the pole on the
highest point of land within mile of
the Town Hall. | have surveyed
pretty much all the ground around
here ami I know that Mullen Hill, on
old Jimmy skins farm, is higher
than any othe. land in the neighbor-
hood. The next highest Is the hill Oh
LGr. Uptou's place, but that is at least
six feet lower than the highest part of
Mullen HilI Now it is my opinion
that if that pole is put up on Jimmy
Haskln's property lie will levy toll on
every body who goes TO the celebra-
ton. We all know he don't allow
people to walk over his fields, but he
will jump 1T u chance like this to make
money"
THAT'S sou said the bystander. 81
believe he got the thing passed him
self, Just to screw pennies out of his
friends and neighbors. He knows
very well that his hill is higher than
any land near the town.
The day after this Mr.. Jimmy Has
kins was in one Of the stores of the
place, where there were a good many
people collected, when one of his
neighbors asked him plain question.
Mr.. Haskips,n said he, ''if the pole
is set up on your land you'll let every
body go free to the hill, won't your"
Old Jimmy Haskins smiled and did
not ans wer Immediately, and then he
said: when the flag pole IS set up
on Mullen Hill | want everyone in
this town and everyone within thirty
miles around to attend the celebration
and they'll all be free to come through
my big gate and to walk up to the hill
provided-And I'll let you all know
| the provision when the time comes"
And then he smiled again.
You seem to feel pretty sure, Mr..
Haskins," said the neighbor, that
your hill is the highest point of land
in the neignborhood.
"Of course | am sure of it" said the
old man. Il know just as we'll as |
! know anything that Mullen Hill is
six feet higher than any other ground
| in these parts, and nothing can change
chat state OF affairs except an earth
quake"
"Or boy" said youthful voice
from the outside of the little group.
This voice was not very loud and
few persons heard it. Certainly Jim
my Haskins did not. The youthful
voice belonged to George Upton, d
lad between thirteen and fourteen
years old. George, as well as the Other
boys in the town, was full of enthus
iasm about the flag pole, and he hac
strong hopes that the hill on his
fathers farm would be found higher