Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-07-04

country . independsncs day. We'll MAGE
celebration Ourselves gtflA Ia Ike 20
zee them try to stop a..
So the rest Of the afternoon was spent
IN plotting. Giant crackers and Other
fireworks ware to DO secretly procured
and Get of In various places at the first
tap Of midnight The church bell waf
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 dfur
and beat it--.'only shall have to make
up with Joe little" she protested.
pickering her lipa Others promised tc
blow horns and conchk But the great
act was to be the firing Of the cannon,
and this the adventurous Columbis re-
served for herself.
They'd never believe We could dc
that. but I've watched them lots Of
times. and know we can. shall want
you. Hilda Graham. to help me. and
you. Minnie Miller. The three Of Us
can manage IL. I'm sure"
This cannon was a rustic relic Of the
Mexican wnr procured from the govern
ment for Fourth Of July purposes in the
days when Rnstival esteemed itself a
model OF patriotism. II was kept housed
In an open shed ut the top Of slight
rise Of ground just outside the village.
ave won't try to move it down.
,aid Columbia. WED best shoot IL of
right where II standa
At last the night Of great events hac
come TO DO signalixed by new revolt
against overbearing tyranny. All Rus
tivai was asleep-apparently -except
Joel Slocum. who uneasily paced his
porch and listened at the gate. still
haunted by vague apprehensions snent
"them striped petticoats. "
Suddenly the still moonlight war
marred by the sharp clang OF bell;
peal after peal rang out With clashing
and discordant precipitancy. like fire
alarm Then there burst forth an IN.
earthly sbrilling and squawking OF
horns and conchs. and simultaneously
| a suffering and banging Of frecrackers
Of all dimensions Joel rushed into the
street. to be greeted by the kissing rush
Of mounting rocket. and the meteoric
glare as IL exploded and spilled down.
ward its shower Of party celored sparks
showed him that the aforesaid striped
petticoats were abundantly in evil
dence A moment later came the roar
Of the cannon from the hill. jol,ing the
ear and rafting all the window panes
with It's harsh conclusion.
Meanwhile the fair artillery corps
were standing in terrified triumph by
their Tuning gun
az thought I was Just blown TO
| atoms. +" screamed Mamie, still dancing
about
Lucky you didn't stay behind it,
Cumby. That was reai cute idea OF
yours TO set il Of with O frccracker
See. it's kicked hole right through
the back Of the shedl"
"And isn't the smell perfectly aw-
fulf'' cried Hilda. sneezing.
'I rather like the smell OF gunpow-
der myself. answered Columbia stout
~; but she. too. choked and sneezed-
"Now for another onef' shouted
Mamie. Hurry up, Clumby. before
anybody Gomez! Bot we've hardly any
newspaper left for wadding I'd no
idea the old thing would take 20 much
What will we DOR
eve seen the boys use grass, !" re-
piled the 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
filed II nearly 10 the muzzle with arm
| fuls OF dewy grass. ramming II home
with all their strength.
Don't be afraid. They always fill IT
clear up." painted Columbia. breath.
les with her exertiona
| "Ye didn't forget 20 put in the
POWDER
| "Not l.. she responded. That
would he a girl trick. wouldn't itr"
At that moment shouts were heard
| at the foot OF the hill She hastily ad-
justed the printing and sprang to her
feet. A throng Of dark. gesticulating
figures were pressing mp the slope. Joel
Slocum a, the head Of the column.
"You leave alone that cannonP' he
/ followed M he conferred toward them