Evening journal., 1908-06-25
BY THE WAYSIDE

(oo~o1o@ooo>~~~~~~>-o<
1t is none too early TO renew the
strongest kind Of protest against the
permitted sale of unlimited firecrack-
ers, torpedoes, toy guns and other in
struments Of Fourth Of July slaughter.
Last year the record of deaths of chill
dren from lockjaw as the result Of the
barbarous celebration" of the ami
versary of independence number 500.
44O persons each lost one eye and over
100 children had both eyes blown opt
by explosives. The total number OF
wounded, MANNED and injured victims
Of American uncivilized methods of
keeping the day reached nearly 1000
How many of the children are marked
for death this year? How many for
blindness, loss CT legs or arms or other
d.sfigurements for life. How many of
the sick. both those in hospitals and
in private homes are to be set back
in cOnvaleseence through the torture
Of incessant explosions?
According to history the Christiana
creek was called Minquas the Indian
name Of the Brandywine is not certainly
known. II is spoken of by tradition as
both the Suspecough and Wawassen.
One of its branches was known as ths
Chichokatas, in or near Nantmeal. On
old maps, the stream is called Fish
lSihl (Swedish) and Branwins Creek.
1t most probably obtained its name
from Andrew Braindwine, who at an
early day owned considerable proper
at its mouth, as It was an early Gus
tom to name streams after the dwelleri
upon its banks.
In a recent bulletin published by the
Chester County Historical Society, in
an article on old Indian trails, DR.. Bird
T. Baldwin, of West Chester, the
Brandywine was dear to the old-time
Indians as the "Suspeco."
Possibly there are not a few people
in this city, as in others, who realize
the impression made upon the youth
ful mind by the "blood and thunder
scenes that are enacted in many of
the melo-dramas of today.
more striking illustration Of the
effect that this class of shows has
upon the minds of the young who Wit
ness them, even ticugh they be of
tender years could scarcely be found
than a scene that was witnessed a few
evenings ago on a west side stree'.
There were gathered ten children, two
none of whom We're N-er ten years o.
age They were romping the street
about eight o'clock, playing tag and
other games incident to childhood's
years when one of the boys, stopping
in the midst of his play called out,
Say youse, this amt no good, let's
give a show Let's play the Cowboys
Girl
Gee" exclaimed a girl Of abo It
years, that's bully, I'll be the girl"
mo you won't" spoke up another
little girl Of possibly a year or 50
older, I'm be the girl" Say yon
kids" said a stalwart youth of some
eight years of age as he stepped u
the front, stop yer scrappin'. Let M
and Bill here (pointing 10 his COM
panion of about the same age) fix this
Yer can both be de girl and Bill and
me will be de cowboys, see. Amt that
all rightee."
And so It was settled and the show
began. There We're but four in ths
cast, "Wild Bill" slaughter House
jim" "Madge the Outcast," and Name
her friend" There were no heroes
or heroines. The remainder of tho
group constituted the audience.
The street bed composed the stage.
the stage settings were a brick wall as
a back ground, tree and an electr c
light pole, the two latter serving as
mountains, houses or dressing rooms
as the occasion required The aud
ience' occupied seats on the curb.
while the choice seats were upon a
carriage stone.
wild Bill" and slaughter House
JIM were the first TO appear beforh the
a I'm fnI.
the waive of a handkerchief in tn,
hands of "Madge" When these actors
stepped forth from their dressing
rooms upon the "stage" each wore the
typical cowboy hat, formed from tho
soft hat worn by youngsters. turned
up in front and pulled down about tn
neck in the back. wild Bill" wo
a blue blouse while Slaughter House
Jim" was attired in a white one Each
carried two toy Shooting irons" in
their belt"
The first scene depicted a quarrel
! between the cowboys" during the
course Of which Jim" passed the lie
70 bill" Then guns were drawn
'tdo, ha," exclaimed Bill as he pointe
his shooter at Jim. You'll take baer
that word or I'll bore you clean
through"
you can't skeer me Bill" retaliat.
ed Jim, who quickly whipped out his
weapon, that for you" In a second
two reports" rang out the reports
being indicated by the expression "po,.
POP emitted by both youngsters sim
lultaneously. Jim staggered backward
and fell to the street incidentally hit
ting his head a sharp rap on the paw
ing stones. Then a tussle ensued in
true cowboy fashion.
From the rear of the stage at this
| iuncture rushed Madge and Name
each of whom made frantic efforts 20
get her lover" from the s.asp OF the
other. The scene wound up r. a "gor
between Madge and Name. while Bin
and Jim stood by and watched their
gals" fight
The next scene introduced a Skin
dance by Madge and Name and con-
cluded with another fistic encounter
between the women.
The final act was cut short Bill and
Jim started to do a dance when one
of the audience" arose and ATTEMPTED
TO take part in IT, "Jim" wouldn't
stand for this and said. Say amt
ter goin' to stand for no girls In
cowboy act You sit dlwn." The next
scene was 10 have been mountain
climb by Bill and Jim. The tree and
electric light pole furnishing the noun
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