The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-07-05

he said, gravely The Fourth OF July
speech for Smithville j. 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 hest
tating. She was puzzled at the triumph
written all over her husbands face in great,
sunshiny capitals. But once more salts
fed with Benzie's planning, though she
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
Smithvillc. as usual. but il was not des-
tined to go a-westering quite so usual as
heretofore.
The two anvils and the one little brass
cannon, a relic of the sixties and "A rib of
the majors Grafton, 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
venicnces. not dreamed OF hitherto. The
most noticeable OF these was the speakers
stand. profusely drared in bunting and
guarded well at the corners by the stars and
stripes. There was plenty of room for
the Smithville 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 quarreledg Had the two sleek grocers
snubbed the big-hearted farmer. No one
could tell, unless il was the committee. and
il was as ~reticent and solemn as an oyster.
About noon, however, il leaked out that
Farmer Robins had heightened company
from the city, and could not be present
until afternoon; then he was coming to the
speech, bringing his company with him.
A little before two 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 husba nd" he
observed, with a high-born flourish. intro
ducing the strangers to the committee.
The splinter new rustling silk Of Mrs. Rob
ms and the shimmering satin Of the cousin
augurcd anything but a haysecd addition to
the elite Of Smithvillc. Then there was
no other way than TO invite the third
member of the committee and his party up
on the platform.
Mrs. Robins rcddened 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 maj of plan, fairly outdid
himself in his new tailor made suit and soft,
foppish hat, as he strutted around on the
honorcd boards, very afable and very con
descending. somehow, for Benzic.
The committee could not quite make il
put. Perhaps he was ashamed Of having
"hunkcd." and now meant to make up
for lost time. Small matter, however; they
had had their way to dot, and Mai. Dow
ling was safely seated in the speakers
chair. 1t was everything to them to have
bosscd the job, and Bcnzie was welcome to
strut. il he chose.
After the prayer had been offered by the
chaplain and a wonderful solo rendered by
the singer Of Smithvillc. the chairman of