Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-18

,;StS:I,I9 and lie awokc TO find himself
s4s.Syy aliil,ng. For little while he
lay content. drcwsly wondering why
he smiled. only knowing that there
was something now. It was thus as
boy he had Weakened on birthday
mornings or on Christmas or on the
Fourth Of July. drifting happily out OF
pleasant dreams into the consciousness
Of long awaited delights that had com.
true. yet lying only half awake in
cheerful borderland. leaving happiness
underlined.
The morning breeze was fu.terlng at
his window blind. loneysuckle vine
tapped lightly on the pane. Birds were
trilling, warbiing. whstling. and frcm
the street came the runbing Of wa.
Ons. merry cries of greeting and tie
barking Of dogs. What was it made
him feel so Young and strong and light
hearted? The breeze brought him the
smell Of June roses, fresh and sweet
with dew. and then he knew why he
had come smiling from his dreams. He
leaped out Of bed and shouted loudly:
zen Hello, Ncnop!on."
In answer an ancient, very black
darby. his warped and wrinked Wis
age showing under his grizzlcd hail
like charred paper in n fall of pine
ashes, put LIS head in Mt the door and
said: Good mawn. sub. Yessuh. Hits
done pump full Good mawn', sub"
a few moments later the colored
man, seated OF the front steps of the
cottage heard mighty splashing
within while the rafters rang with
stentor!ai song;
"Iie promised to buy ne bonny blue
ribbon.
lie promised to buy me bonny blue
ribbon,
He promised to buy me a bonny blue
ribbon.
To tic w my bonny brown hair
"Oh, dear, what can the matter be?
Oh, dear. whit can the matter be?
Oh. dear, what can the matter be?
Johnnie SO long at the far''
The listeners jaw dropped, and his
mouth opened and stayed open. Him"
he mnttcred family. "Singin'"'
well the old triangle knew the music
Of our tread:
How the peaceful Seminole would treplble
in his bed
sang the editor
81 dunno huccome it," exclaimed the
Sd man. but. E.ess Gawd, de young
man happy" A thought struck him
suddenly, and he scratched his head.
Maybe hc goin' away he said quer-
,ilously What become of ole Zen?'
The splash ceased. but not the voice,
which struck into noble marching
chorus.
"Oh. my I.awd," said the colored man,
II pray you listen at dat"
"Solders marching up the street
They keep the time;
They look sublime!
Hear them play Die Wacht an, Rhein.'
They call 1t Schne!ders band
Ira la la. Ia la"
The length of Main street and all
sides OF the square resoundod with the
rattle Of vehicles Of every kind. Since
earliest dawn they had been pouring in
to the village. Il long procession, on ev-
cry country road. The air was full of
rxhiaration; everybody was laughing
ard shouting and calling greetings. for
Carlow county was turning out. and
from far and near the country people
came-nay. from over the county line;
and clouds Of dust arose from every
thoroughfarc and highway and swept
into town to herald their coming
Dibb Zane. the "sprinkling contract
or" bad been at work with the town
water cart since the morning stars were
bright. but he might as well have WA
tered the streets with his tears. which.
indeed. when the farmers began to
come. in. bringing their cyclones of
dust. Ea drew nigh Unto after n burst
Of profanity as futile as his cart.
"Ticf vie das Menr soil de.ne Liebe scin,"
hummed the editor in the cottage. His
song had taken on Il reflective tone, rs
that of one who cons a problem or
unsteady ponGers which card to play.
lie was knoclng before an old trunk in
his bedchanbcr. From one compart
ment he too; Il neatly folded pair OF
duck trousers and II light gray tweed
coat. from another Il straw hat with q
ribbon of bright colors. He examined
these musir2ly They had lain in the
trunk for Il long time nnalsturbcd. lie
shook the cost and brushed il. Then lie
laid the garments upon his bed and
proceeded 70 shave himself carefully
| after which he donEcd the white trou-
sers. the gray coat and. rummaeing in
the trunk again. found gay pink era
vat, which he fastened about his tail
collar also resurrection from the
trunk with n pearl pin, He took n long
time to arrange his hair with pair ot
brushes. When ut last it suited him
and his dressing was complete, he sal
lied forth TO breakfast.
Xcnophon stared after him ~ he went
out of the gate whistling heartily. The
old darky lifted hs hands, palms out.
ward.
Liam name, who dat?" he exclaimed
aloud. "Who dat in dem paniingeries:
He gone jinc de circus.' His hands
fell upon his knees, and he got to his
feet rhcu1atically. shaking his head
with foreholing Honey, honey, hit
bald luck. bald luck sing 70 breakfus',
Trouble TO de day he done. Trouble,
honey, great trouble. Bald luck bald
luck"
Along the square the passing OF the
editor In his cool equipments was Il
progress and wide We're the eyes anc
deep the gasps Of establishment caused.
by his festal appearance. Mr.. Iibbs
| In