Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-30

coat. I'm from the States myself
left there fourteen years ago with my
married daughter and amt had a
chance to get back since. I'm out cele-
bratin' too, today"
The visitor drew small red parcel
from his pocket" Its firecrackers,
he explained, somewhat sheepishly.
Every year l sneak down here to Pie
Island to shoot off one bunch for Uncle
Sam That fag.-well, 1t gave me
turn. thought I'd dreamed it.
Supposed l was the only American in
this part Of the country. James Baileys
folks? Whew! Thought Bailey was
Canuck!"
wouldn't you like to stay to sup
per-" asked Mrs. Bailey, land eat
Washington pie and Fourth Of July
cake. and help us to set off our after
dark fireworks? Perhaps you could
manage our big rocket-we're all
afraid of it. We're saving that for the
very last because we fear the Beaver
folks can't help seeing it but we mean
to escape Immediately afterwards
I'm with you" replied the man,
tits long time since I've had real
Fourth l guess I'm downright hun
cry for home"
81 know l am" declared Mrs Bailey,
growing wistful Canada isn't bad
place but 1t isn't home, now is it,"
Cheer up said Mildred. You're
both on American soil now with that
flag on top and all that bunting sur
sounding you But If those stubs up
the sides hadn't made that tree easy
to climb, don't know where we'd
have been Just help yourself to fire.
crackers-we brought nine years
supply"
Just at dusk on that Fourth Of July
and two days sooner than he was ex.
pected, Mr.. Bailey reached Beaver
Finding his house deserted and the
canoe gone, he surmised that his fam
lily had padded up the river, a favor
lite pestime Borrowing canoe, he
padded after them, for of course he
loved his family : his own rather
queer way, and was naturally DESTROYS
of hearing the home news.
4 What he actually heard. however
was something far different. As he
approached Pie Island the air from
time to time, was rent with curious
half familiar, yet altogether puzzline
explosions. Nevertheless. something
about tbs strange noises seemed oddly
pleasing-like the echo of some pas
delight-and at the same time vaguely
painful. For some curious, ipdefnable
reason. the man found it increasingly
difficult to WELD his paddle. likewise
he found it impossible to believe his
assaulted ears. He doubted even hi:
eyes moment later.
From the center of Pie Island there
suddenly rose with mighty roar,
gigantic rocket that scared with a pro
longed hiss through the sky over hi
head and simultaneously from al
sides of the Pie, burst multi-colore'
Roman candle. All the crackers lef
! after busy day We're likewise. COINS
off in Ibis grand finale, and, aboveai
issl. f I'D the big. beautiful American
If1ag-l flag that Bailey hated 81
much that he saw it now, through {
sudden blur of tears.
AS all other sounds subsidized, Bale,
who had recoenized his kindred. al
: though he himself was invisible in tn,
darkness. heard music. Mildred, he
blond hair and earnest girlish counter
ance illumined by bonfire of colorat
4 singing In her stronp. sweet and al
! ways sympathetic voice that most IN
: spring of songs, "The Star Spangle
8 Banner" Ascending as 1t did on tina
r suddenly stilled, sweet summer night
from such unusual environment, tn
song gained surprisingly in beauty an
significance.
An hour later, when the tired blu
satisfied Baileys reached home wit
> the discriminating remains of the;
! celebration in their arms they wer
t startled at discovering their lamp
. lighted.
) Goodness" gasped Mildred, turr
q ing pale. Its father! Hadn't be
3 ter hide this bunting under bush?"
3 Certainly not, returned Mr.;
2 Bailey courageously. 81 had no inter
ton of concealing this matter fror
!. your father. thuogh I'll admit that L
q rather have waited until tomorrow"
: Mr.. Bailey sat at the table address
. ling an envelope He looked precisel
;. as usual
WELL" he exclaimed. rising I
greet each grimy relative with yer
evidence affection, you're back, ar
you? I've some news for you. Mar!
I've Just written Cousin George tina
I'm willing to take charge Of his pou
TRY farm-he gave me month to d,
eide In"
"Oh, I'm glad" cried Mrs. Bale!
"But-but before we talk about l
I'm afraid I'll have to tell you wha
we've been doing.
"Well," returned Bailey, with SUI
prising mildness, when a woma
comes home with holes burned in he
clothes and smelling outrageously {
gunpowder, it's safe to guess that she
been shooting off rockets on Pie L
land. Now we'll talk Wisconsin.-Ca
a roll Watson Rankin in Mothers Mag
zine.
(The End)