The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1898-06-29

When Farmer Philips turned the
two gray horses into the pike, he said
| to Mrs. Phillips: Eyes, sis I'm In fer
celebratin the Fourth o. July. Nothin
amt too good fer the Fourth o. July,
and it ain I bad idea at all fer TO help
/ the new preacher along while we're
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 it was
the clowns witty tongue that brought
the crowd and the pennies to the fancy
| table,
"Now he's a-pertendin he's a old
hayseed," explained an admirer of the
diminutive clown. "He's 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. 4"
"Miss Fannie wasn't countin on
that, said another admirer 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 auctioning barrel
of corn, and the people roared in hearty
approval.
But the greatest admirer Of Willie,
tho clown, was Mrs. Phillips.
william" she said excitedly to her
husband, "hev you ben here till the
candles is lighted and amt seen the
clown" She had overcome every YES
tige of scruple that Fourth of July
festival ought not to be held in the in
terests of the brick church in her admi-
ration and joy of Willie. the clown. 81
declare to goodness, she went on,
you've missed the best part O. the
show il you amt 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 a little human ohild2 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 lips1 The fool
ish people were olapping vociferously.
"Give us the hayseed ag'in, little
feller," 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 bsen back there to the fancy table,
lookin at that there clown"
$50 have l. " said the new minister.
"It's a cryin shame. roared Farmer
Phillips. "We are colleotin fer the
brick church today, sir; we are cele-
bratin the Fourth o. July today, sir. +"
"Yes," said the new minister, land
say also that it's crying shame"
Then Farmer Phillips took q good
long look at the minister. He was
young. very young he was a scholar
and a 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 a smart
girl. ID would not do for the new
preacher to administer public reproof
20 his almost unknown flock, above all
10 Miss Fannie Morris, whose heart and
sour 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 IL warmly.
"You and / think alike ON one sub
ject, anyway, and reckon, maybe, as
we think alike ON a 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
hfA +"