The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-07-26


7 tton had been the paramount Dit Q
: gossip of the town.
Congressman Blank of the distrlc
had been captured by the town Y
conclude the ceremonies with an ora
} ton. much to the chagrin OF TN
neighboring village of Sunville. =
rivalry. not always good-natufed, hat
existed between the two communitlel
since earliest recollection,
1t was the evening of the second o
July and the regulars had gathered a
the general store. Abe Crabtree hat
been late in arriving, although to ad
init that it had taken his best plead
ines to persuade his wife to allow hin
to attend the session would have for
ever deposed him from the throne.
81 understand" said Abe, after he
had comfortably seated himself on 8
flour barrel, that the Sunville crow6
has hired that air balloon man thai
showed up at Windsor with the cir
Gus"
Before another day had passed the
information was common property and
many there were in a deep quandary
unable to decide as to which celebra'
ton to attend.
Abe and his wife of course would
atteud the Token celebration. Their
daughter Helen, acknowledged by the
young men of the town as the pretti-
est girl in the community, had accept.
ed the invitation of Will Duncan, son
OF an old neighbor, and the young
couple We're to accompany them. Abe
was chairman of the arrangement
committee. He had been instrumental
in securing the attendance of Con-
gresham Blank and fully realized the
Important part he would play on the
coming holiday.
Jim Duncan, Wills father, when he
heard Of the event, planned by the
Sun Whites, Immediately decided that
even his loyalty to Token could not
prevent him from taking in the balloon
ascension.
VIII was a dutiful son, but the
thought of spending the day without
Helen was not pleasant to him and he
informed his father of the fact.
so you don't want to go to Sun
vile with us, WIFI" said his father.
We'll, as long as you are a member of
the Duncan household you'll do what
| want, understand, young man"
But, father, / have asked Helen
Crabtree to go with me to the cele-
bration here"
well, the only thing you can do,
then, is to e if you can't get her to
accompany you to Sunville."
why, wouldn't think of such a
thing, WILL" she told him, when he
PREACHED the subject to her. you
know fathers going to introduce Con.
grcssman Blank when he makes his
Grafton, and it would show great dis
respect to go to the celebration Of a
community on such an occas-
1t was not Helen's objection so
much as her fathers that led to the
quarrel that followed and made Will
decide to attend the Sunville event.
Helen declared his company was not
essential to her enjoyment of the day
VIII Duncan made UP his mind
that If such was the case he would ac.
company his parents without her.
The Fourth of July broke bright and
Token was early astir and Abe
Crabtree was not a little disappointed
70 see the number of rigs bound for
sunville. Jim Duncan, his wife and
viii were off early to make a day Of
I. On the way the latter more than
nee was on the point of turning
back. He was sorry he had ouarreled !
with Helen over such a trivial mat
but he decided to teach her a les
To forget her as much as posi-.
Die he busted himself in aiding the
leronaut in making his preparations
or the ascension.
The balloon had been inflated and
everything was ready for the great
Will was just placing the last
II the bags Of sand used for ballast in
he basket when a horse, frightened
" the explosion Of a giant firecracker.
lashed by, causing those holding the
Wig bag to forget their mission for an
In a moment VIII was shooting sky.
ward, accompanied by the cheers Of
hose unaware Of the accident and the
'roans and cries of horror of those
Who realized what had happened.
When VIII awoke to the fact that
Ie was the star performer OF the
'reat Sunville ascension his wits for
moment took flight, but he soon
called that he was in no immediate
anger and that by allowing the gas in
he bag above him to escape he must
lecessariiy descend to terra firms
gain.
In the meantime the celebration at
oxen had been going on with nothing
Q mar the great occasion. Helen
'raotree, although she attempted to /