Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-01
Shriner*s
~ Test.
A Fourth of July Story.

mean what he's saying Andrew Shrinel
whispered to his neighbor, as the Eng
lishman who was just bringing his after
dinner speech to a close began a strongly
American altogether fraternal perfOra.
ton.
II don't see what right you have to say
that" the girl answered. And besides
If he doesn't, there are plenty of Other
people who say what they don't mean
And she shot a wicked glance at him ovel
her shoulder.
1t was an open-air, Fourth of July din.
ner, the guests at the Birk place all seat
ed-to the number of about a score
about a long table set on the lawn am
covered by an awning to protect both the
feast and those who enjoyed it against
the fall of chance rocket sticks, for it was
about sunset and time for the pyrotech-
MICS to begin.
'I'M tell you when he's through vheth-
err I'm right or not said Shriner. IF I'm
wrong, I'll own up"
Another girl, sitting on the same side
of the table, looked at Shriner and frown-
ed. signifying that he should not inter-
rupt the speaker by whispering.
And therefore" the Englishman con-
cluded, throwing his shoulders back, II
say that On this glorious evening we
should all remember that we celebrate,
not the inception of a family quarrel, but
the Inauguration Of a new branch of the
family. This is the birthday. remember,
of the American nation. AS "a cousins
"a cousin who feels himself quite at
home here. 1 drink Many Happy and
Glorious Returns of the ~Day'-and-er-
I will add-may the relations between
the two branches of the family never be
less cordial han they now are!"
Hear! Heart" came from all sides Of
the table, with cheers and every audible
expression of assent and satisfaction.
Nov look at him and speak the honest
truth" said Kitty Birk to her censorious
neighbor, as the speaker sat down. Did
he mean what he was saying or not?"
II was quite right" Shriner answered
doggedly. H isn't thinking about all
touching things he said-not one bit. He's
pulling down his cuffs and looking all
around the table to see if we liked his
speech"
We'll, I like it." Kitty murmured de-
murely. And then, catching the eye Of
the orator, she smiled and clapped her
hands together at him by way of direct
and especial approval.
The Englishman-Bob Engle was the
name he was known by-was evidently
delighted at this frank expression of
Kitty's opinion on his performance, and
on that Shriner took his hint.
There now he said. Cant you see
for yourself?'
Il can see for myself pretty WELL" said
Kitty, "even if these Chinese lanterns
don't give a very brilliant light. But all
the same, / like to hear your observations
on men and things. Go on"
"Oh. if you're only going to make fun
of me-"
I'm not going to make fun of you. I
like to find out, how things strike other
people, that's all. You've told me some
thing 7 never fho1pht of hafora-o wav
to penetrate into the soul of the f1owery
orator. It's worth learning. Go on"
"Well," said Shriner, handing her a dish
of cosaques, its a very simple thing.
I've always made a point of watching
these Grating people, and there's no use
in the world trying to tell by their faces
what they really think as long as they
are 'orating.' But when a man gets
through with his little piece, and every
body is trying at once to say, by shouting
n hand claping, that that's just what
they all think, it stands to reason that
if he is so sure of it himself. he will want
to make some sign-he will look pleased
smile freely all around, nod and look self
conscious. that is because he's more
pleased at having done we'll as an orator
than he is at having the others think as
he thinks. Do l make myself clear?"
80, so," Kitty muttered. popping" a
caramel into her mouth. anyhow it's
something to know hat Mr.. Engle cares
for our approval-personally."
'Why?"
"Well, because-Because he's an Eng
lishman."
"H'm-That's hardly a patriotic speech
for you to make on this glorious ami
versary. Miss Birk."
Isn't it? That shows that you're MOI
so very penetrating after all. Mr.. Shriner.
You don't catch other peoples meanings
as quickly as you form your own conclu-
sions profoundly. Bother. I wish they
would put off the fireworks out there un-
til we got up from the table. Eth. Oh,
what l mean by that is, the most aggra-
waiting thing about the average English
man is that he doesn't care a continental
what anybody else thinks about him.
Haven o noticed it?"
He pretends he doesn't"
"No, it isn't pretense; the p%retense is
the other way ahout: generally, he pre-
tends that he likes you to think well of
him, but that's only conventional polite
ness; he doesn't care, unless you're the
Queen, or somebody who can give him
promotion"
"Then this fellow, Engle, takes you for
the Queen-or somebody who can pro-
mote him." Shriner grunted.
Think SOP"
Yes, l do. Perhaps you can"
Every American woman is a queen,
isn't she?" said Kitty, as there was a
general movement to rise from the table
and go farther down the lawn to watch
the fireworks.
Just then the subject of their argument
moved in or them ron the dusk outside
the awning.
$50 glad you liked my International eff
fort, Miss Birk," said Engle. Hello,
Shriner, what do you think of my wa
ton? Let's go out and revel in 'Siss-
boom-ah.' It's great, isn't it?"
1T was a great ovation, Engle," said
Shriner. Il have a good mind to tell you