The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-07-03

Ae adius Bidfclgs ne ItLfLu uA July
speech for Smithwlle is a secret as deep
as the foundations Of freedom, but strik.
ing an attitude, lit will reveal itself about
two o'clock p. m on that day, and don't
you forget it,
No" she said, frightening and hesi-
tating. She was puzzled at the triumph
written all over her husband face in great.
sunshiny capitals. But once more satis-
fled with Benzies planning, though shs
could not say why, she turned away and
left him writing TO beat everything.
The Fourth OF July dawned up the east
ern rim, and flashed to the zenith for
Smithville, as usual, but it was not des-
tined 70 go a-westering quite so usual" as
heretofore
The two anvils and the one little brass
cannon, q relic Of the sixties and a rib of
the majors oration, had done their duty
in jubilating and were left to the silence
Of the deserted streets, while the crowds
had disappeared in the direction Of the
grove, as the weather was fair"
The subcommittee had worked faithfully,
and the picnic grounds were spic and span
with new seats, stands and a score Of con
veniences, not dreamed Of hitherto. The
most noticeable Of these was the speakers
stand, proiusely draped in bunting and
guarded well at the corners by the stars and
stripes There was plenty of room for
the Smithvlle band, and the head commit
tee back Of the speakers chair, which was
draped in the American colors.
But busy and jolly as everybody seemed
TO be, they remarked the fact that Benzie
Robins did not appear. Had the commit
tee quarreledy Had the two sleek grocers
snubbed the big-hearted farmerg No one
could tell, unless it was the committee and
it was as reticent and solemn as an oyster.
About noon, however, il leaked out that
Farmer Robins had high-toned company
from the city, and could not be present
until afternoon; then he was coming 20 the
speech, brlLgins his company with him.
A little before tive o'clock, and when the
band had disposed itself on the platform,
and was beginning a series Of little mu-
steal toots to call the people together, Ben
zie Robins and his aristocratic company
came out to the grounds.
My cousin and my cousins husband he
observed, with hgh.born flourish, intro
ducing the strangers to the committee
The splinter new rustling silk Of Mrs. Rob
ins and the shimmering satin of the cousin
the elite of Smithville. Then there was
no other way than to invite the third
member Of the committee and his party up
on the platform.
Mrs. Robins Redeemed visibly under the
ordeal Of being thrust before the public,
but the visitors took their respective places
with an ease Of manner TO be coveted.
But Benzie, the man of plan, fairly outdid
himself in his new tailor-made suit and soft.
foppish hat, as he strutted around on the
honorcd boards, very affable and very con-
descending, somehow, for Benzie.
The committee could not quite make it |
out. Perhaps he was ashamed Of having |
"funked." and now meant to make up
for lost time Small matter however: they |
had had their way to a DOT, and Mai. Dow
ling was safely seated in the speakers |
chair It was everything to them to have
bossed the job, and Benzie was welcome to
strut, if he chose.
After the prayer had been offered BY the
chaplain and wonderful solo rendered by /
the singer Of Smithville, the chairman Of
the committee arose and said "the speaker
hardly needed an introduction, but was here,
and would now favor the people with an
address
The major came to the front and begged
to differ with the honorable COMMITTEES
and then introduced Hon. A. p Bishop, Of
Andover college, as speaker Of the day.
The committee stared with open-mouthed
at the sudden collapse Of their
programme. How in thun-, What in the
ma Who in the dew" and their ex-
cited vision focused on the third mem
Der. But he was listening intently to the
major, who would add another word be-
fore he sat down. ] am glad, he said, in
a concentrated way, "that God has 80
prospered me this year that can give the
'honors' to our friend here, and buy my
own lemonade"
Then be subsided smilingly, amid three
rousing cheers, waving Of flags and the toots
Of the cornets.
The liehtnines Of seven furies shot wrath
fully at Benzie's happy face, but he was
enjoying his Fourth" az only one could
whose plans worked well. and he did not
see them. or hear the muttering thunder
Of that committee.
The Smithville people then listened to
IN eloquent address, cheering hilariously
to show their appreciation.
After it was over, and everybody had sung
America" Farmer Robins slipped bank
note into the majors hand, saying. That
squares our account" And the old man
laughed and allowed It paid better to in-
Iroduce a speaker than to speak"
But that Committed Not a soul on the
grounds could tell when it disappeared: not .
wen the third cornet, by whom it sat, had
Tie least idrs when or how it left the plat