The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-14

0tthout givin his secret away. There
was great deal of curiosity durin the
day. Some thought the squar had
balloon ascension in view in order to
attract public attention to our new
cooper shop, and others had it that he
had found way to dodge the state
tax, but it was all guesswork. There
was a tremendous crowd on hand
when evenin came, and the squar went
around rubin his hands together and
smilin all over his face. When he had
got the crowd worked up to the pitch
where everybody wanted to die fur
liberty, he called the meetin to order
and said:
'sFeller freemen Of Jericho, we hev
here beautiful town, salubrious eli
mate and populashun to be proud Of.
We hev the best of water, the lowest
of taxes and skassly any use fur doc
tors. We hev the telephone, electric
loorbells and town pump. A stran-
needed nuthin else. But we do, and
that is why hev called you together
here tonight. We need jest one thing
lore to put Jericho on the pinnacle,
and that is "a brass band"
"By John, but he's made q p'int!
said Deacon Spooner as he whacked on
the counter with his cane. "Yes sir,
Jesicho needs a brass band to boost
her. and Pm with the squar. Let us
hear what Moses Hopkins has to say
about it,
Gas take it, said Moses, "a brass
band plays tunes, and I'd like to know
in advance what sort Of tunes this
band is goin to play. If it's goin to
play The Sweet By and By then I'm
in fur a band. If it's goin to play hi
diddle-diddle tunes, then I'm ag'in it."
"That'sa pint as fur as 1t goes" said
the deacon, "but it don't go fur huff
Enos Williams, you was in. the hog
buyin bizness fur 20 years.. and you
ought to know about brass bands
What dyou think Of the idea?"
"That depends" said Enos. II don't
20 much on brass band that toots its
wind all over town and wastes it or
& the air. If we had band that woulG
come down to the depot to meet me as
come in from Tarrytown, think Td
kind of like it,"
by John, but he's right, and he.
made pint" shouted the deacon.
81 don't see the pint" said Squal
johnson as he colored up. "Why should
our brass band go down to the depot tt
welcome man who hain't never dom
s anything in particular fur Jericho
Enos is a good huff man in his way
but did til. outside world ever hear o
him? Was he consulted about buildil
, the new sewer or paintin the tow
hall? Has he ever laid awake night
thinlsin how this town could be boosted
to the top?"
"Enos, he's knocked your pint on
and made one ag'in YOU" said the dea
con, "but we'll hear from some Of tn
rest. How is it with you, Jabez Fow
lerY'
II can't exactly say till 1 know wha
the band is goin to do" replied Jabez
"My old woman is mighty fond o
brass band tunes which lift up TIL
heels, and If the bandit come over t
my house three times week and Civ
us sunthin lively Ill chip IN"
.sMebbe I'm mistaken in this crowd,
said the squar as he looked around i
serious way. "Mebbe this is crow
composed of freehorn Americans who's
forefathers fought at Bunker Hill, an
mebbe it's made up Of men who'd stea
the statue of Liberty and sell 1t fur oil
junk. To say that l am astonishe
does not half express my feelin's."
"That sellin the statue of Liberty
pint, and a strong one" said tn
deacon. "but what we want is a fire
expreshun of opinion. lube Hornbecl
er looks as if he wanted to say SUI
thin"
I'D like to ask the squar," said Jub