The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-06-29

to quarrel over the proceeds o. the
woods festival. 1t certainly has been
very enjoyAb Fourth.
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
II 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 / couldn't tear myself away
from the fancy table. He's fell over
against you, he's so powerful sleepy.
hope he wakes up, fer l 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, a 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 ] would let mother look
at seen thing as this?''
He Invested the little clown of his
gay headdress and threw it out upon
the ground.
Laws, Williaml" gasped Mrs Phil
lips.
Farmer Phillips crushed the false face
between his great hands. Nov help
me off with these here leggin's, sis, ="
he commanded.
Miss Fannie sets powerful store on
the little clowns fixin's," said Mrs.
Phillips timidly, but for all that she
helped off with the leggings.
The little clown rolled from side to
side as he was liberated from his gaudy
costume and then he fell back confid-
ingly against Farmer Phillips.
81 He's 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 her
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. Il reckon as mother'l II be glad to see
him when he gifts awake. I'm sorry
that promissl to haul him over to the
mill early in the mornin l reckon,
William" she added nervously, "as
them clown fixin's cost Miss Fannie
power o. money"
I'll settle with Miss Fannie, said
Farmer Phillips, gazing down fondly at
his fellow man. Hes never goin to be
clown ag in, - he added. "If he gifts to
takin off any one, he's to be give first
rate spankin, mind. This here little
Teller is adopted fer the last time, sis. "
Claws, William, is that true?" ques-
toned Mrs Phillips. She looked again
at the sleeping child, bent suddenly and
kissed the pretty face, and as she did so
the patriotism of Farmer Phillips sank
into her soul. -Washinpton Star