The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-06-28

ly insisted that il was just tho other
way, and the boycott was ON the gi1ls.
Anyhow, there was great dearth of
parties, and Sparkling wa. at n
standstill
Then, as an offset to the hated volun.
teers ut Newhurg, these brave lads
formed company of "Home guards. ="
Fer right here where ye re goin to
be needed boys, asseverated Joel, land
purity soon toe. Fancy them crazy
gals II haul i'll some o their striped tog-
gerry when once they see the Spaniards
marchin into town
But when this devoted troop of de
Tenders paraded the streets tho girls
seeiled at them openly. and from day to
day the bitterness grew. Finally, az the
Fourth of July drew near. the men
unanimously voted that they would
have no celebrations at nd Jest DO n
farce and a humiliation at sich a season
as this, Joel assured them. IAN We
better keep yer eyes peeled, boys, fer
it's more'u likely them striped petit
coats II be out fer mischief.
And. i'll very truth. this blue eyed
daughter of Revolutionary rebels and
Scotch Covenanters was not the sort of
girl to bear an insult tamely- least of
ALL an insult to her flag And now a
personal grievance was added. for some
of the ehivalrous pumpkins had deemed
it clever joke to break into her garden
Mt night, uprooting the flowers and
fFnYnHlinu down tl., hnIg
what drove of hogs would have done, !"
she cried with angry tears, when che
saw it And this utterance didn't tend
to increase her popularity.
Following close ON the heels of this
feat of vandalism, the announcement of
the no celebration resolution provoked
n blaze of Indignation in the Soldiers
Aid society. which was fine display of
fireworks in itself
THAT shows them for just what they
are mean spirited, cowardly traitors, "
broke forth the warlike president, her
checks outflaming her costume Il
don wonder they sympathize with the
Spaniards for they aren't one bit more
civilized, insulting women and sneak
ing about at night to get revengel But
two can play mt that game, guess, and
IL the men won't celebrate their own
countrys Independence day, we II mike
acelebration ourselves, girls. I'd like to
see them try TO stop us.
So the rest of the afternoon was spent
in plotting. Giant crackers and other
fireworks were to be secretly procured
and set OIL in various places at the first
tap Of midnight. The church bell was
to be runE as usual, and two strong
armed girls were detailed for this duty.
One artful damsel undertook TO get pos
session of tho Home guards big drum
and heat it." only shall have to make
up with Joe little. she protested,
pickering her lips. Others promised to
blow horns and conchs But the great
act wns 10 he the firing of the cannon,
and this the adventurous Columbia re
served for herself
''rhey'd never believe we could do
that. but I've watched them lots of
times and know we can | shall want
you. lIilda Graham, to help me. and
you, Mamie Miller The three of us
can manage it, IN sure.
This cannon was rustic relic Of the
Mexican war procured from the govern
ment for Fourth Of July purposes i'll the
days when Rnstiva esteemed itself
model Of patriotism II was kept housed
in an open shed at the top of n slight
rise of ground just outside tho village.
owe won't Try 10 move 1T down.
said Columbia. WED best shoot il off
right where II stands
At last the night Of great events had
come to be- signaliZcd by new revolt
against overhearing tyranny. All Rus
tival WAS asleep apparently except
Joel Slocum, who uncasily pnccd his
porch and listened ut the gate. still
haunted by vaguo aprrehcnsiuns nnent
"them striped petticoats
Suddenly the still moonlight was
marred by the sharp clanR of a bell
peal after peal rang out with Gushing
and diseordant preeiPitancy, like Il fire
alarm. Then there burst forth an un
earthly shrilling and squawking of
horns and conchs, and simultaneously
IL rI'hti'i lHE anu VI NV d'hfIb
Of all dimensions. joel rushed into the
street, to he greeted by the Kissing rush
Of II mounting rocket, and tho meteoric
glare M it exploded and spilled down
ward its shower Of party colored sparks
showed him that the aforesaid "striped
petticoats were abnudantly in evil
dencc. A moment later came the roar
Of the cannon from the hill, jolting the
ear and rafting all the window panes
with its harsh concussion
Meanwhile the fair artillery corps
were standing in terrified triumph by
their Tuning gun
81 thought | was just blown to
atoms, screamed Mamie, still dancing
about.
"Lueky you didn't stay behind it,
Clumby That was real cute idea Of
yours to set it off with Grecracker,
See. it's kicked n hole right through
the back of the shed =
"And isn't the smell perfectly aw-
fulr" cried Hilda. sneezing
II rather like the smell Of guupow-
der myself, answered tolnmDla slont-
iy; but she. too, choked and sneezed.
"Now for another onel" shouted
Mamie. Hurry mp, Clumby before
anybody comes But we We hardly any
newspaper left for wadding. I'd no
idea the old thing would take so much
What will we do p
eve seen the boys use grass, re-
piled tho resourceful captain There's
plenty Of that. "
So, with straining arms and heroic
disregard Of CRIME, they pulled their
heavy ordnance back into position and
filled it nearly to the muzzle with arm
fuls Of dewy grass, ramming it home
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