Middletown transcript., 1899-07-01
Even The news of the brilliant victory

on it? Should say we he'd savitche!
enough on cur han s ready specially
with that gal ravin round in her wal
paint, maxim a walkin barber pole OF
herself Wouldn't mind givin her few
feathers, though. to help out. She's cor.
ruptin all the gals in the village"
For Columbia had indeed succeeded
in firing the maidens of Rustival with
something of her own spirit. The wal
appealed to them; the element of ro-
nance had been sadly lacking in thei1
I i lives. They Organized a Soldiers' Aid
society, held patriotic meetings. and
sent flowers and dainties to the boys in
| blue in the volunteers camp near New
burg. They also established a boycott
against the disloyal youth of their own
town, though the young men strenuous
ly insisted that it was just the other
way, and the boycott was on the girls.
| Anyhow, there was a great dearth of
''parties, and Sparkling" was at a
standstill
Then, as an offset TO the hated volun-
teers at Newburg. these brave lads
formed company of "Home guards.
"Fer right here's where ye're goin to
be needed boys, asseverated Joel. "and
purity soon too. Fancy them crazy
gals'll haul in 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 the girls
scoffed at them openly, and from day to
day the bitterness grew. Finally, as the
Fourth of July drew near, the men
unanimously voted that they would
have no celebration. "It 'ud jest be a
farce and humiliation at sich a season
as this, p" Joel assured them. can ye
better keep yer eyes peeled, boys. fer
it's more'n likely them striped petit
coats'll be out fer mischief.
And, in 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 chivalrous pumpkins had deemed
it "a clever joke to break into her garden
at night, uprooting the flowers and
trampling down the beds Exactly
what drove of hogs would have DONE"
she cried, with angry tears, when she
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
a 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
cheeks outfaming her costume. "I
don't 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 at that game, guess, and
if the men won't celebrate their own
country's Independence day, we'll make
a celebration ourselves, girls. dixie to
see them try to stop u.s.
So the rest of the afternoon was spent
in plotting. Giant crackers and other
fireworks were to be secretly procured |
and set off in various places at the first |
tap of midnight. The church bell was
to be rung as usual, and two strong |
armed girls were detailed for this duty.
One artful damsel undertook to get pos
session Of the Home guards big drum |
and beat it-"only shall have to make |
up with Joe a little" she protested, |
puckering her lips. Others promised to |
blow horns and conchs. But the great |
act was to be the firing of the cannon,
and this the adventurous Columbia re-
served for herself.
"They'd never believe we could do |
that, but I've watched them lots Of |
times, and know we can. shall want |
you, Hilda Graham, to help me, and
you, Mamie Miller. The three of us
can manage it, I'm sure"
This cannon was a rustic relic Of the
Mexican war procured from the govern
nent for Fourth of July purposes in the
lays when Rustival esteemed itself
model of patriotism. 1t was kept housed
n an open shed at the top of slight
Use of ground just outside the village.
"We won't try to move it down."
aid Columbia. "We'd best shoot it off
light where it stands. y
At last the night of great events had
,ome to be signalized by a new revolt
Igainst overbearing tyranny. All Rus
ival was asleep-apparently-
Ioel Slocum, who uneasily paced his
,orch and listened at the gate, still
launted by vague apprehensions anent
them striped petticoats.
Suddenly the still moonlight was
narred by the sharp clang of bell;
zeal after peal rang out with clashing
md discordant precipitaney, like fire
Ilarm. Then there burst forth an un-
arthly shrilling and squawking Of
lorns and conchs, and simultaneously
suffering and banging of firecrackers
# all dimensions. Joel rushed into the
treet, to be greeted by the kissing rush
f mounting rocket, and the meteoric
,lare as it exploded and spilled down
yard its shower Of party colored sparks
howed him that the aforesaid 'striped
'etticoats' were abundantly in evil
Ience. A moment later came the roar
f the cannon from the hill, jolting the
ar and rattling all the window panes
With its harsh concussion.
Meanwhile the fair artillery corps
we're standing in terrified triumph by
heir fuming gun.
81 thought l was just blown to
toms, screamed Mamie, still dancing
bout.
"Lucky you didn't stay behind il.
'lumby. That was real cute idea of
ours to set it off with a frecracker.
lee, it's kicked hole right through
he back Of the shedi"
"And isn't the SUI ell perfectly aw-
ul?' cried I'll ,, ne. s;ng.
q rather liz 80 snil 0f gnnnow-
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