Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-01

81 HNCIPIENT Fourth of July enthu.
siasm was astir as the Millviile ac-
commodation rolled into the depot
discharging a cheery-faced, portly gentle
man of 80, carrying a bulging satchel
He came out on the market street" in
time to get a shower-bath from a pack
of firecrackers flung by crowd of urch-
ins, enveloping him in a veritable ''blaze
Of glory!'
Hi! you young imps!' he roared-but
the coterie only grinned, for their victim
was chuckling as though he enjoyed the
excitement, tossed them a quarter. and
laughingly strolled over to the farmers
wagons lining the square.
There's the best-natured man l ever
did see!' the occupant of one was re-
marking as the man sauntered up.
ANY of these rigs going down the old
Fork Road?" he inquired:
Il am" nodded the other-"thirty
miles,"
"a lift of two will suit me-"
Jump in. l say. stranger, you're the
beamingest mortal | ever sot eyes on:
I'd a-chased those bothersome kids with
the whip LASH"
"Pshaw-was a boy myself once" re-
torted the traveller. "And-beaming: :
Why shouldn't be? Just back from the
Philippines, easy conscience, some money,
and come home TO have a jolly Fourth
with my best friends"
Rolfe Burton, an orphan from an early
age, had experienced some hard knocks
and single-handed, had fought his way
to quite competency.
Two miles from Millville lived the only
relatives he knew. They were the Phil
lips and the Ames families, occupying
neighboring farms-his half-cousins. He
had drifted down here a few years back,
and they had made it very pleasant for
him. Especially had young George Ames
put himself out to entertain him, and
quite naturally winsome, warm-hearted
Alma Phillips discovered kindred
friendship.
A great idea came into Burton's mind
these two were made for one another.
They were very young-only sixteen then
but mutually in love. 1t would be the
object of his life to nurture their pretty
engagement. They would marry, he
would endow George with a farm, sug-
gesting a life-tenancy for himself as a
compensation.
Then came up the Spanish war. Burton
caught the martial fever-at home-and
the real malarial in the Philippines. Now
he was coming back to carry out his
original plans, and was joyful as q vaca-
ton school boy, as he jumped down from
the wagon.
"Hellow he expanded, as he neared the
Phillips farm. There's old Seth, sure!
Hir' roared the great, bluff fellow, and
nearly shook his cousin off the hay rake
with the suddenness of his hail.
well! well!' spoke the farmer, star
ing. ''This is surprise!'
Thought it about time for wedding
-see?" rollicked Burton. so, bobbed
down on you-heyT
Wedding-who's" muttered Seth,
crabbedly.
'.Who?' retorted Burton. who
should it be but George and Alma?"
"Shet up! shouted Phillips, savagely.
Don't mention any Georges. or Ames, or
that rascally tribe, to mer'
"Eh! what's happened herey' stared
the astounded visitor.
go up to the house. I'm busy, but'll
hurry through and join you soon. Hold
on-say. Burton: you're not going down
to see 81 Ames?" challenged Seth rough
".
"Why notF'
Then drop me-thats all! I'm through
with that rubbish; you can't be my friend
and his'n, too"'
"Whew" whistled Burton. trudging on.
He sat down by the wayside. finally.
His wits were askew. What. indeed, was
happening? Things seemed turned all
topsy-turvy!
. He got up as he saw a light buggy ap-
preaching, and recognized old Lawyer
Russell. There was an interchange of
greetings. The attorney stated he was
going first to the Phillips farm, then on
to Ames' place.
I'm so with you. Anything valuable
here, Squire?" asked Burton, as he plac-
ed his satchel behind the seat next to
the attorneys document bag.