The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-10

anything to do with the way a speaker
Of the house runs things.
why, do you know" and she threw
back her head like her father. the
Judge, when he gave a charge to the
jury-'why, do you know, if I had
the prospect ahead Of me OF having a
voice in the management OF my eoun-
try, if !. like you boys. should have
the rights and the power Of an Ameri-
can voter when I reach twenty-one, l
would accept the responsibility with
the spirit of the czar Of Russia re-
ceiving his crown on his knees. with
tears running down his face; | would
do as the knights Of old did before
they took the solemn VOWS of their
knighthood: would go Off alone and
strengthen my soul by fasting and
prayer. That is what I would do if
was going to vote next fall!"
There was such roar of applause
and laughter that Marian darted out
of the room in sudden confusion. The
next minute the dining-room doors
were thrown open and they all flocked
out laughing and talking noisly-all
except Marian; she disappeared into
the kitchen and stayed there the
greater part of the afternoon. making
herself useful.
After dinner some of the boys met
on the porch.
Marian rather pitched into us,
didn't she?" remarked Will Barton.
"The baseball and cabinet members
stab was meant for me-" announced
Wills twin brother. Dan. "Wonder
who was tripped up on the unit rule?"
The musician, who was dangling his
long legs over the railing and gazed
off dreamily at the hills, turned with
out a word and screwed up his face
into such an irresistibly funny wink
that the others shouted with laughter
and Johnny K and the Harvard man
hurried up to join in the fun.
Il dare say it would not hurt any
of us to know more about such
things" the Harvard man observed
thoughtfully. Il for one will admit
that | ought to be better informed as
to the duties and privileges of Ameri-
can citizenship"
They all appreciated the astonishing
modesty of Jimmie in making such an
admission, and showed their apprecla-
tion by agreeing with him promptly.
Then Johnny K Strengthened himself
nm and throvu arra, hic oioor
why do not you fellows do some
thing?" he said. There are nine of
you who will vote for the first time
next fall, and sixty or seventy others,
possibly, throughout the county.
While acquiring a little information
yourselves you might influence some
Of the others to take a more intelli- |
gent interest in the institutions of the
country. You know the theory; the
higher the intelligence and virtue of
the average voter the nearer we ap-
proach the ideal republic. Why don't
you do something for your country to
celebrate your coming of age?"
Now Johnny K, rising young law
yer, lately elected district-attorney, a
keen sportsman and good fellow, was
the admiration and secretly cherished
model Of all the boys, especially of his
younger brother. the Harvard man;
his suggestion carried.
That evening Marian walked home
through the fields with her cousins,
Dan and WILL
We'll, we're going to do It," Dan
began.
DO what?"
The ear of Russia receiving his
crown, the knight taking his VOWS
act. Only we win have an American,
modernized version; fasting might not
agree with the fragile, up-to-date CON
stitution Behold in me the treasurer
of the Twenty-Five Club" and he rat
tied the silver in his pockets.
yes, we have formed club" win
explained. "Object, to study the con-
Of the United States and-er
Ito prepare ourselves for citizenship.
We intend to take in as many fellows
who come of age this year as we can
get to join us. The club will buy
books and papers for cirulation among
The members"
Jimmie is president because he
knows parliamentary rules and how
they do such things at Harvard Dan
Interrupted. John third is secretary,
and Johnny X. is legal adviser. John
ny K. is out by age and cannot be a
regular member. and ne seemed to
EEL he had been born too soon. tell
you he's great, Johnny X. is. He said
you observed a medal for stirring us
lp the way you did"
"Oh. he was not in the room. He
,ould not hear me Oh. | hope not!" |
Marian in distress. Il made
/ great fool of myself I hope he did
Tot hear met"
81 don't know. We told him all you
aid and more" Dan said, consolingly,
IS he opened the gate for her. I
"Oh, BY the way, Marian, you're a
member Of the Twenty-One Club by
cclamation-at Johnny ks sugges- 4
ion" VIII called after her as she
assed up the walk.
The club thus formed ran quiet /