Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-29

y
lady VINO lives-I don't know Just
Where-sne came here on a visit last
night. So walk up to the trenches,
captain. I'll stand by youN ~ough
,hick and thin ~
Capt Chevers appealed to Harriet.
! but that young lady, who had a great
deal of confidence in her soldier cousin.
urged him 10 accept the invitation ex-
tended through Jackson, and at last
N sheer desperation he agreed to do
so.
Presently the programme committee
waited on him officially, and he per-
mitted himself to be escorted to the
speakers stand. This was an elab
orately decorated affair and overlook
ed the pretty little public square for
which Hampton was famous.
The young captain was given an
ovation as he walked to the seat as
CAPT. CHEFERS FOURTH Or JLy2
signed him, and he cast lcok toward
Harriet, who was watching the pro-
ceedinE,s from the carriage.
There's no danger of Harold's dis
gracing the family name: that's some
thing he never did, and he used to be
good at impromptu speeches, too" she
remarked TO Jackson, who had taken
his station alongside the carriage for
the purpose of cOnversing with her.
Judge Somers made a rambling, but
intensely patriotic, address to which
the large audience listened with mani
fest impatience, for all knew that
| Capt. Chevers, just home from Manila,
would have something to say and a
| living hero is better than a dead lion
at any time.
By and by the mayor of the village
rose and said, as he waved his hand
| toward the captain:
Ladies and Gentlemen: We have
| with us today one of the heroes of the
| late war with Spain, a gallant citizen
whom you all know, soldier who
| fought under the banners of Dewey
| and who was the first to plant Old
| Glory upon the ramparts of the enemy
! We love to honor our heroes, and this
one, whom Hampton is proud to call
her own because his boyhood days
were spent in this vicinity, we greet
with double welcome upon this
suspicious occasion. Ladies and
gentlemen; Capt. Harold Chevers, the
| hero of Manilai"
| The applause that scared skyward
would have called bushes to the cheek
of an admiral, and the captains face
crimsoned as he arose, which was a
signal for more cheering.
He never knew how he started; for
a moment he was at loss for words,
then, as if suddenly inspired, he began
to tell the story of Manila, modestly
emitting an account of his own bray
cry 1t was a story that thrilled every
one, and when he closed with a splen-
did peroration which was, in fact, an
apostrophe to the American flag, the
enthusiasm of the crowd was I'M
bounded.
AS he settled back in the chair he
heard the master of ceremonies an
nounce that Miss Wordsworth from
the west would sing the Star
| Spangled Banner"
Capt. Chevers started at the name
and leaned forward as a tall, regal
looking girl advanced from one end of
the platform and stood before the
people. He could not see her face, for
it was slightly turned away, and then
he settled back as her musical voice
began the national anthem.
The crowd seemed to stand spell
bound. Such singing was a revela-
ton to every one who listened; never
before had the words Of Keys immor-
tai anthem thrilled them as under the
spell of that young girls voice. The
very birds which had been twittering
in the shadetrees paid tribute to her
with silence, and no one stirred until
the last word had died upon her lips.
Then a tumutuous cheer burst forth
and as she turned away, blushing be-
meath her wonderful triumph, Capt.
Chevers started to his feet.
"Tracy-Miss Wordsworth" he ex-
claimed What a fool I am. anyhow"
he continued, soto voce. "'Tis another
Tracy"
Put the tall girl had turned, and
she and the hero of Manila stood face
to face
II want to thank you for your
singing, Tracy-pardon me, Miss
| Wordsworth" said the stammering
captain. ut was superb, matchless.
You used to sing so well at Lostcreek
school, you know, when We
THANK you, Capt. Chevers." inter
rupted the girl. She held out her hand.
you don't imagine that I have for
gotten those days, hope?"
mot at all; but you see did not re-
main long at the school and while |
have thought often of those happy
times, | had quite lost sight of you"
The occupants of the platform were
now quitting it, as the song was the
last feature of the programme, and
Capt. Chevers escorted Miss Words
worth to the carriage.
Il see you've captured another
prisoner, captain" laughed Jackson,
cavalierly. WAS it an unconditional
surrender"
Both the captain and Tracy blushed
and Harriet automatically came to the
rescue of both by welcoming her
friend, Tracy, in the warmest terms.
II guess you're glad l added you to
the programme, Ell, captain? the ir-
repressible Jackson broke in. TITS a
great Fourth for you, imagine. Glad
you came, Ell? Well, good day and
good luck!"
In the excitement attendant on the
participate; as Jackson remarked to a
friend, he had embarked upon 'an-
other campaign" and Cousin Har-