The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-07-04

face of the girl. II wish L might, papa
or-that is, l wish very much to hear the
speaking in the grove to-day. You will
take me, won't your"
Go over there to be jammed about in q
crowd of crazy idiots who think they are
showing their patriotism by shooting off fire
crackers and making spread eagle speeches
I'd like to please you, daughter, but you will
have to wish again"
I'm sure it would be good fun, papa, and
want to hear the speaking. Capt. Toll
yer is gong to speak, and"
"Tolliveri What is he doing here"
"He is just back from the Philippines on
leave of absence, and has consented to make
an address"
Col tombstone took two or three turns up
and down the gallery. Then, coming to his
daughter, he said, slowly:
you know, Mabel, how l feel toward
Tolliver. He is the son of my old com.
rade and l have tried to make a man OF
him. But he is a dreamer. He has re-
fused to accept position in the bank, where
he might learn to earn living. He went to
this war against my express wishes He Is I'M
grateful as well as foolish"
'I'm sure you misjudge him, papa. Capt
Tolhver is doing what he thinks right. He
believes he ought to make his own way in
the world, as you have done"
He has no right to ask you to suffer for
his Quixotic notions. If he had stayed with
me l would have made man of him."
That's just it, papa; he doesn't want
any one to make man of him. He wants
to be one himself. Isn't that better?"
Hes dreamer, Mabel, and there is no
place in this world for dreamers. But,
there, never mind. Well go to the celebra.
ton, if your heart is set on it. Come and
pour the coffee, and we'll have breakfast
Drat that cracker! I'll see to it next year
that none Of them are brought inside the
road gate. Well hear what young Toll
liver has to say, but that's all He is milk
and water, a dreamer. The fellow might
have had good position in my bank. Now,
he must look out for himself"
Quite crowd had assembled in Oak
grove when Mabel and her father drove up.
Col. tombstone was the most prominent man
in the community, and was greeted on all
hands with homely words Of welcome. He
tied his horse in the shade Of a sugar maple,
and heand his daughter moved slowly along
toward the platform, before which tempo
rary seats had been arranged for those who
wished to listen TO the exercises. Groups
OF people were scattered about on the grass
under the trees, surrounded by baskets OF
food and delicacies, for there was to be an
old-fashioned picnic at the conclusion of
the speaking, and almost everybody had
come prepared to stay the day out Boys
were running about begging fire to set off
their crackers, or hourishing toy pistols in a
way that threatened the eyesight of hall
the company. Young men and maidens
strolled about the grounds, chanting pa
triotic songs, or gossiped in knots under the
friendly oaks
Col, tombstone found seat for his daugh-
ter and himself near the platform. The band
struck up "The Star-Spangled Banner" the
presiding officer and the speakers filed onto
the stage, the seats quickly filed, and the
literary programme of the day began.
Every reference to the freedom and glory
of the United States, and they were many
and eloquent, was cheered to the echo 1t
was a typical company of American citi-
zens, bent on making the most of the one
day in the year set apart to commemorate
the brave deeds of their forefathers.
AT last the chairman introduced Capt.
Tolliver, the hero, he said, fresh from the
battlefield of the war in which the United
states was at present engaged. The young
officer arose and began at once to speak.
He made no attempt at oratory, but told