The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1902-07-05

81 NCIPIENT Fourth Of July enthu-
siasm was astir as the MiIlviIle ae-
- commodation rolled into the depot.
discharging a cheery-faced. portIy gentle
man OF 80, carrying q bulging satcheL
he came out on the market street. in
time to get a shower-bath from a pack
Of frecraekers flung by a crowd OF urch-
ms, enveloping him in a yeritable blaze
Of gloryF'
'Hil you young ImpsF' he roared--but
the cOterie only grinned, for their victim
was ehuekling as though he enjoyed the
excitement. tossed them g quarter. and
laughingly strOlled over TO the farmers
wagons lining the square.
There's the best-natured man | ever
did seeE the occupant OF one was re-
marking as the man sauntered up.
Any Of these rigs going down the old
Fork RoadT" he inquired.
Il am" nodded the other-"thirty
miles"
a lift Of two viii suit me-"
Jump m. say. stranger, you're the
beamingest mortal I ever sot eyes On:
I'd a-ehased those bOthersome kids with
the whip LASH
"Pshaw-was a boy myself once" re-
torted the traveller. -And-beaminx!
Why shouldn't bel Just back from the
Philippines. easy conscience. some money.
and come home to have 4 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 a competency.
Two miles from MillVille lived the only
relatives he knew. They were the Phil
lips aud the Ames families. occupying
1eighbOring farms-his half-eOusins. He
had drifted down here 4 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-heartei
Alma Phillips discovered q 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. II would be the
object Of his life to nurture their pretty
engagement. They would marry. he
would endOw George with q farm. aug
costing a life-tenancy for himself as q
compensation
Then came up the Spanish war. Burton
caught the martial fever-at homeland
the real malarial In the Philippines. Now
he was coming back to carry out his
original plans. and was joyful as a vaca-
ton school boy, as he jumped down from
the wagon.
Hello" be expanded, as be neared the
Phillips farm. There's old Seth. SURE
Hill! roared the great, blun fellow. and
nearly shook his cousin OF the hay rake
with the suddenness Of his hall.
We'll! wellF spoke the farmer, star
ing. This Is a surpriseF'
Thought IL about time for a wedding
seer rolllcked Burton. 80, bobbed
down on you-heyY
"Wedding-who'sT muttered Seth.
"WhoT' retorted Burton. who
should II be but George and AlmaY'
'Shet up" shouted Phillips, SaVagsIy.
Don't mention any Georges, or Ames. or
that rascally tribe, TO meg'
Eth! what's happened hersT stared
the astounded visitor.
Go up to the house. I'm busy. but'H
hurry through and join you soon. Hold
Burton: you're not going down
70 see 81 AmesT challenged Seth rough
why notT'
Then drop me-that's all, I'm through
with that rubbish: you can't be my friend
and his'n. toog'
Whew" w.histled Burton. trudging on.
He sat down by the wayside. finally
His wits were askew. What. indeed, was
happening? Things seemed turned all
He got up as he saw q 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
10 Ames' place.
I'm 90 with you. Anything valuable !
here. squireT' asked Burton, as be plac-
I'd his satehel behind the seat next to !
The attorneys document bag.