Middletown transcript., 1901-06-29


at the beginning of our story.
Eagle Eye shook his head. "White
man have many things Indian don't
know" he said, gravely.
"But l supposed everyone knew about
the Fourth" said Roy; "but then you
never were in the city, were you?
Again Eagle Eye shook his head.
"Well, on the Fourth we shoot off fire
crackers and all sorts of things that make
lots Of noise, and oh! the Roman candles
are fner' and Roy fairly jumped in glee
and anticipation.
"Gun?" asked Eagle Eye, his face
frightening "White mans gum"
"Well, they do make noise like a
gun, but some are even louder than
that"
Eagle Eye looked amazed. He never
thought Of anything that could make a
noise louder than gun.
"I am going to town tomorrow" con-
tinued Roy, ITO get the firecrackers, and
then won't we have fun?" It was two
days before the Fourth, and Roy was to
have his fireworks in readiness for that
eventful day.
The next morning was bright and clear,
and Roy leaped on his little sorrel pony
and started off at full galop. He was
to meet his father in the city and do his
purchasing with him. Presently he
heard the tramp Of horses feet, and soon
Eagle Eyes black pony pranced beside
his own.
It was a beautiful day. The air had
not yet had time to become heated with
the sun and was just cool enough to feel
good. The tall grass of the prairie waved
all around them, spccNlcl ..cie and there
with a bunch Of cattle or an Indian
tent, and way in the distance rose the
smoke Of the nearest town. The sky
was cloudless and Of blue, unchanging
color, lit up by the rays Of the sun, which
rose like monstrous gold dollar-so said
Roy, putting his fingers in his pocket to
feel Of lis own precious money.
After a two hours ride they reached
the town. Roy's father met them at the
main street, as the chief road in the town
was called.
"What! You here, Eagle Eye?' he
said, helping Roy off the saddle. "Glad
to see you, my boy" and he shook the
bows hand. "Now I'll not need to 60
home to-night-you can take Roy home
all right"
Eagle Eye looked pleased and, tying
the ponies, he followed Mr.. Stevens and
Roy. The latter was telling his father
the numerous things he intended to buy
with his solitary dollar Mr. Stevens
laughed, but good-naturedly escorted his
son into grocery store and let him pick
out his own fireworks. Eagle Eye was
greatly puzzled and stood by watching
Roy select numerous red sticks as he
thought of all sizes up to a cannon
cracker.
The good-natured grocer put them all
away in box for him and patted the
small boy on the head, saying he'd ought
to have helped sign the Declaration Of
Independence, sure!
Roy was eager to see the show windows
OF the other stores and spend the rest
Of his dollar, SO they wandered around
town till noon and then went into small
restaurant for dinner. Eagle Eye, hav-
ing finished his dinner, was leaning back
in his chair, and his sharp ear caught a
scrap of conversation passing between
two men who sat smoking at an opposite
table.
''They say the Witchataws are up and
ready for fight" one man said.
"Well, sayn' said the other. "What's
up?"
"Well, you see, that man Stevens come
up and took away all their brandy. They
say he won't let them use. it at all. II
they could get hold Of Stevens they'd
scalp him, sure. They would burn his
farm if they dared, for destroying their
'fire-water,' and"-he lowered his voice,
"if they could get hold Of his boy he'd
not be seen again"
''Does he know it?' inquired the other.
'eNo, and I don't care much if he don't
he is too strong on that temperance busl,
ness anyway" With this they passed
out
Eagle Eye was much troubled, and
when Roy had finished he said, "We
must find father. Come!" And, taking
the child's hand, he hurried him out oi
the restaurant and up the street to Mr..
Stevens office. But he had gone into
the country only short time before.
Eagle Eye remembered an evil-eyed
Indian had asked him where he was
going that morning, and on hearing his
answer had given chuckle OF satisfac-
ton and rode off with strange look in
his black eyes.
The afternoon soon passed and, laden
with fireworks, the two went to get their
ponies, and Roy heaved sigh of relief
when he found himself once more on bis
little saddle. The ponies were glad also
to be turned toward home and started
on q brisk galop. But Eagle Eye caught
the bride Of Roy's pony and said in Q
! low voice, no 60 fast slow" and Roy,