Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-07-04
A DILEMMA OF
THE FOURTH
By Mary Caroline Hyde

Six boys, aged about IA and Is, had
formed club called The Presidents s
Own. Originally, the club room had
been the upper story of brick stable,
and the boys had secured the use of it
free of rent.
For several weeks the club had been
saving money for a glorious Fourth of
July celebration. Sky rockets, Roman
candles and even flower baskets were to
be bought with the ten dollars and thirty
two cents they had collected for this pur-
pose and were to be set off from a huge
rock above the village, where all could
see the display.
James Porter, the keeper of the largest
grocery in the village, went to New
York for the fireworks which the Presi-
dents Own had ordered; the weekly pa
per announced the pyrotechnic treat in
store for Dogberry, and all was in trim
for the most patriotic Fourth the little
town had ever known.
The Fourth was due on Sa urday and
all Friday the Presidents Own fidgeted
through their lessons, and o'clock had
no more than sounded than they ran pel
nell to the club room, where they had
agreed to meet six strong.
II saw Jim Porter this afternoon"
announced Maxwell Fem, leader of the
club, land he said he had our fireworks
all right. Suppose we go right away
and get them"
That's the idea," said Alfred War
rem, leading the way. Come on. There's
no time to spare"
The boys started whistling and doing a
double shuttle down the path, when Clar-
ence Richmond called out, who's got the
money for the 'technics?"
That's sou answered the rest, stop
ping short. Guess we'd better go back
and get it, if you've forgotten it,"
Upon this The Presidents Own wheeled
and returned to the club room, moving in
body on the closet, where the money
was boarded in an old leather wallet. The
closet was we'll lighted by the window
opposite, and the boys searched every
nook and corner without finding the wal
let.
"Where did you keep 1t, anyway"
was demanded of Maxwell Fem.
II didn't keep it anywhere; gave 1t to
Clarence" growled Maxwell.
IL know where l kept it we'll enough"
retorted Clarence. II kept it right up
here on this shelf under the baseball caps,
but it amt there now; that's sure
enough"
The Presidents Own groaned. Again
and again they fumbled among the caps
on the shelf, and among the bats, golf
clubs and tennis racquets on the floor of
the closet. The money was not to be
found and they turned away looking into
one another's faces for explanation, but
finding none.
whats to be done now?" asked Clar
ence.
"You ought to know"
"Well, l don't"
"Say! How'd it do to say nothing
bout it tonight and tomorrow we can
look again." suggested Alfred.
agreed :" cried the others, so they
filed out of the club room, locking it
with the greatest care, and disbanding,
to go home with very sober faces and
gloomy hearts.
The much-anticipated Fourth was
sunny, delightful day, and the Presidents
Own convened early at the club room, as
they had agreed. A second search, how
ever, was as disappointing as the first
had been, and a vy-hearted six stood
about the club table, tapping distracted
ly upon it.
ITS hard on old Porter, too" OBJ
served one of them.
"Oh, his freworksll keep till next
year. when we'll be able to buy them,"
said another.
Locking the door, the boys walked
slowly down the main street, looking at
other boys fireworks. Thus they whiled
away the day as best they could till 4
o'clock. Wandering dejectedly along a
side street, they came face to face with
Gen. Bradbury, the summer cottager of
whom all Dogberry was so proud.
"Halloo, boys!" he cried. "A glori-
Gus day for your celebration. Hear you
are to give us something fine tonight"
Glancing hastily from one to another.
the boys blurted out, That's all up now !;
the mons lost somehow