The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-10-31
Wouldn't Mr.. Judkins be surprised


words implied that he wanted the
rocks ''set off, just as soon as they
We're ready? Well. he would attend
to it and would see that they were set
off before it was light enough for tray
ell to commence on the road.
Enos Judkins was an extremely ear
ly riser. sometimes not waiting for the
and ont. But the next morning even
the most alert of the ROSTERS was
asleep when there came crash which
shook the very windows of the house
Enos Judkins threw himself half up
then fell back with snarl.
''Them loonatic Fourth o Julyers.'
he gl'umbled; they're startin' wnss'.i
they did last year l never heerd them
winders rattle afore. Folks d think
twas right in the next room stead Of
In village half mile Off Huh!' for
another tremendous crash. louder even
than the first, again set the windows
to rattling -"What they got over
there, anyhow. gov'ment artilleries or
Mount Pelees? The cannon they had
last year didn't make quarter that
| noise I-a-n-dw as succession of half
a dozen explosions, followed by an al
most continuous rumble. with scarce
ly an appreciate space between, shook
! the earth "What is the matter. any
how-the world comm to an end?' He
rose hastily and began to dress, for the
ROSTERS were now all growing and the
dogs barking, and from the barn came
a frightened believing and stamping of
cattle. In the darkness and utter still
ness of the night the crashes were ter
rifying. Before he could don his
clothes and get outside there were a
dozen or fifteen more explosions, some
coming singly, others in a long. scarce
~ broken rumble or in one great crash.
But, once outside, the mystery was
partly explained, for the air was strong
with the smell of burned powder. 1t
was the Fourth of Julyers. as he had
first thought, but how in the name OF
much noise?
Then came the last crashing explo-
sion, and he started, at first blankly.
then with sudden comprehension.
The crash had not come from exactly
the direction of the village, but from
the road pasture.
'The young reprobate!" he cried
wrathfully. Hes been settin' off them
rocks, an told him plain they was to
i be let be till all was drilled. / might "a
s'picioned from the way he took my
scoldin' an then slipped off upstairs.
He needs a good larrupin', that's what
he needs. an l feel jest the right way
now to give it to him." Then some
thing of the humor of the situation
seemed to strike him, for he commenc-
ed to chuckle, which was, however, in
stantly suppressed. Didn't he make a
noise, thought he went on. "Whew!
He must "a been up all night gettin'
that powder ready. wonder what the
village Fourth O Julyers are thinkin'
of bout now, gittin' beat at their own
game by little farm boy they won't
ask to none o. their doin's. I've good
mind to walk down that way an see
an then come back an give Reub his
larrupin' If t want that he didn't
wait like he was told I'd be minded to
let him off easy jest for shakin' the
village winders. l amt heerd so much
as a torpedo from there yet. P'raps
they amt been able to catch their
breath back"
He stood hesitating for few mo-
ments. Over in the east long line of
daylight was beginning to appear
Then came loud barking from the
road pasture, toward which the dogs
had rushed at the very beginning OF
the explosion; then he heard Reub's
voice calling the dogs. Well. he was
glad the young scamp was not hurt
though of course there had been nc
real danger. He had never known the
boy to be careless about such matters.
Suddenly he seemed to make up bis
3 mind, for he turned and walked rapid
) ly toward the village. muttering as he
did so: 1--WE got to larrup Reub for no'
2 waitin' till all the stones was drilled
of course, but I'm glad twas done Sc
early, fore travel begun. Eve laif
awake nights lately thinkin' bout acci
e dents am damages"
: The village was awake as he ha(
| expected, but none Of its own celebrat
r ing seemed to have yet commenced
5 Apparently its enthusiasm was mo
: meatarily paralyzed by the unexpected
Y and tremendous noise which it coult
t not hope to emulate. AS he appeared
' among them, Enos could see fingers be
e gin pointing toward him from the vari
/ GUS groups, and he raised his head de
V family He was accustomed to point
ing fingers and even to hooting from
e the younger boys. He had not been ;
e public spirited man, and the village hat
e resented it. None from his farm wa
: ever asked to join in the "doin's."
But now something very strange hap
e pened Behind the pointing fingers h
+ began to see smiling. admiring, evel
s cordial faces Several of the promi
/ nent men started toward him with ex
q tended hands.
q .Well, Enos you certainly did us NJ
e that time," chuckled the doctor as b
J. held on to the horny hand and locke
y at its owner admiringly, ''and, what
more to the purpose, you did up til
8 folks in the town across the rivel
q They've been growing over us for te
It years, settihg themselves up as th
e most patriotic village in the count,
!? and I'll admit they Gid make On out
vi rageous racket on the Fourth. But thi
e year we made up our minds we'd bea