The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-07-12
lHE FOURlH X
.-AT RUSTIVAL

ha! Clumby Kevwin and theem t'other
gals what runs with her makes me
weak"
Meantime Columbia went around to
all her girl friends who had something
of a war spirit like herself. The war
appealed to them. The element of
romance had been sadly lacking in
their lives. They organized "Soldiers'
Aid Society,"" held patriotic meetings,
and sent flowers and dainties to the
boys in blue in the volunteers camp
near Newburg. They also established
boycott against the disloyal youths
OF their own town, though the young
men strenuously insisted that it was
just the other way and that the boycott
was on the girls. Anyhow there was a
great dearth of "parties," and spark
ing" was at standstill Then as an
offset to the hated volunteers at New
burg, these brave lads formed a COM
pany of "Home Guards" "For right
here's where ye're goin' to be needed
boys asseverated Joel; "and purity
soon, too. Fancy them foolish gals III
haul in some O the striped toggery
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. cit would jest be
a farce and humiliation at sich a
season as this" Joel assured them;
"an' ye better keep yer eyes peeled.
boys, for it's more n likely them
striped petticoats I'll be out fer mis-
chief"
And in very truth this blue-eyed
daughter of revolutionary rebels and
Irish 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 clever joke to break into
her garden at night, uprooting the
flowers and trampling down the best
"exactly what lot of hogs would have
done," she cried with angry tears, when
she saw it. 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 pro-
voked 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, cowardIy traitors"
broke forth the warlke president, her
cheeks outtlaming her costume. 81
don't wonder they sympathize with the
Spaniards, for they aren't one bit more
civilized. But two can play in that
game, guess, and if the men won't
celebrate their own country's indepen-
dence day, we'll make a celebration
ourselves, girls I'd like to see them
try to stop us!''
s. the rest of the afternoon was
spent in plotting Giant crackers and
other fireworks were to be secretly pro-
cured and set off at different 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 arttul damsel under
took to get possession of the Home
Guards big drum and beat it-"onIy l
shall have to make up with Frank
little, she protested, puckering her
lips. Others promised to blow horns
ard conchs. But the great act was to
be the firing of the cannon, and this
the adventurous Columbia reserved for
herself.
"They'd never believe we could do
that, but I've watched them lots of
times and l know we can. I shall
want you, Mary Pfeffer, to help me,
and you, Jennie Cassidy. The three of
us can manage it, Pm sure"