The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-07-02
A FAMHY AFFAIR.
How tie Pozver, Family Celebrated the Fourth at Mortified
BY AMANDA L. cRocKER

The American eagle had not screamed
over Mortified for. at least, a dozen
years, n when Its citizens had a pa
triotic swelling Of the heart forethe ma
tional holiday, they went elsewhere for
their Fourth"
But when Erastus Powers was elect
ed president of the village his wife
suddenly developed into a very Spartan
of enthusiasm, and determined to cele-
brate.
Now, 'Rastus," she began, your one
golden opportunity of adjoining your of
flee and honoring your forefathers lies
before you. Have a real old fashioned
Fourth of July celebration; make a new
departure anu Convince ali Mortified
of their u%ngrateful shiftlessness as citi-
szens of these United States"
Her husband struck an attitude
worthy of his position and replied: III
the people coincide. Matilda. Now, If
l were a mayor instead of u president,
things would move"
isn't a president bigger than a
Inayor?" she asked.
No.; l rather think not. when it
comes to saying what's to be DONE
Well, 'Rastus, why don't hey say
Mayor Roosevelt. then?" looking tri-
umphant. This was a poser for the
chief executive If Mortified and he
pretended not to hear.
Pshaw!" continued Mrs. Powers, no
ticing her husbands brown study,
"Who cares, SO you don't forget the
celebration; a real old timer where they
read the Declaration of independence
all solemn like to remind people of their
obligations. You won't let the oppor-
tunity slip. will you. DEAR" she plead
ed, the matter Of precedence in author
ity forgotten altogether.
Have the Declaration read, too; the
rising generation o know anything
about the foundation of liberty; nor
with Whn + eft r1l cyrl n ~ Il "a ,,.o .,{~.1.~
i%stence, nor even who signed it, per-
haps.'
The Declaration of Independence"
observed Mr.. Powers, carefully,
doesn't make a Fourth, no more than
a spring chicken makes a whole picnic.
And, after all. l can't imagine who
would read it, now that the professor is
away"
THE professorll"@ snerted Mrs. 'Ras-
tus; why can't the minister read it?
He reads the Thanksgiving p%rocla1na-
tions, and l guess the grand old docu-
ment Is as readable any day as they
are, not rejecting on the head of the
nation, at all. But" and she cogitat-
ed a MOMENTUM Margie al read it,
for that matter: n Ben ard Rena
a sing the Star-Spangled Banner
beautifully. Then there's their cous-
band. Well get them. and your
Fourth's assured, 'Rastus."
President Powers felt in his bones
that the matter was really settling, but
the drift Of the partial outline struck
him as being a monopoly.
1T might be Objectionable" he ven
tured, ito max the program a family
affair. Matilda"
"Humph!" she returned, warming up.
why should they object? We've waited
a dozen years for the rest to move.
Mercy! I don't believe the people here
know ever how many signed that won
derful paper fixing the..Fourth for all
time
Well, Matilda" he answered, wear
ily, sit seems to me o are dead gone
on the Declaration"
Don't be blasphemous, 'Rastus," she
tnterpolated. you're the president of
Northfield-"
And" went on her husband, deaf
to h interlude. TIN bet you $50 to a
penny, if You dare, that not one coun-
Gilman can tell whether it was signed
mt all or not"
His wife fairly gasped with surprise
and 'disdain. DO you mean to saw
thai Mortified has ratrograded like
that Ernstus Powers? Surely the
aga ancestors are not far in the
rcar!"
i vas speaking of the town coun-
Gil, only he answered as If pronounce.
ing sentence.
"Wcll. you tell them lit was signed
by Sc of the biggest Fourth o. July
men on earth at that time; our first
congressman: top."
And Mrs Powers swept up and down
The apartment. u very Goddess OF Lib
crtY.
"a town council met tina evening
ssnd&the president was commissioned
by b powers behind the throne to
see to it." Very ably did he suggest"
and mention the matter" and before
ne aware they were all wonder
fsilly enthnscd.
He could almost hear Ben and