The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-07-03

Inc american eagle had not
over Eorthfield for, at least, a dozen
years, n when its citizens had a pa
triotic swelling OF the heart for the ma
ttonal 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.
nee and hOnoring your fo%refathers lies
before you. Have a real old fashioned
Fourth Of July celebration; make a new
departure and convince all Mortified
Of their ungrateful shtftlessness as citi-
xen OF these United States"
Her husband struck an attitude
worthy of his position and replied: III
the people coincide, Matilda. Now, II
/ were a mayor instead Of a president,
Isn't a president bigger than a
mayor?' she asked.
mo; l rather think not, when It
omes to saying what's to be done"
well, 'Rastus. why don't they say
Mayer Roosevelt. them" looking tri-
CHIEF executive Of 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
all solemn like to remind people of their
obligations. You won't let the oppor-
tuntty slip. will you, dear?" she plead
ed, the matter OF precedence in author
fly forgotten altogether.
Have the Declaration read, too; the
rising generation don't know anything
about the foundation of liberty: nor
y with What S~frIl0Dlinp A. 10 m ~ &,,to n~.
istence. nor eve who signed it. per-
haps."
The Declaration Of Independence"
observed Mr.. Powers. carefully,
DOESN'T make a Fourth. no more than
q spring chicken makes q whole picnic.
And. after all. I can't imagine who
would read 1t. now hat the professor is
away"
The professor" snorted Mrs. 'Ras-
tus; why can't the minister read 1t !.
He reads he Thanksgiving proclama-
lions. and I guess the grand old docu-
are. not rejecting on the head of the
nation, at all. But and she cogitat-
ed q moment-.our Margie can read 1t,
for that matter: and Ben and Rena
9 sing the Star-Spangled Banner
beautifully! Then there's their cous-
band. Well get them, and your
Tourth's assured, ,Eastus."
President Powers felt in his bones
that the matter was really settling. but
b drift Of the partial outline struck
him az being q monopoly.
TT might be objectionable" hi ven.
tured. ito make the program a family
affair. Matilda"
.sIHumph!!" she returned, Warming up
why should they object? We've waited
Q dozen years for. the rest to move
Mercy! / don't believe the people here
A*yennHUs ANon hnUy nnnnv c}Dnod <hnA ,,o,
derful paper liking the Fourth for ali
time.
Wei. Matilda" he answered, wear:
lily. s'it seems to me you are dead gone
on the Declaration-"
Don't be blasphemous. 'R~astus," she
81 nterpolated. you're the president OF
5Northfield-'
..And." went on her husband, deaf
TO the i%nterlude. "I'l bet you $50 to a
penny, IL you dare. that not One coun-
Gilman can tell whether 1T was signed
His wife fairly gaspcd with surprise
p disdain. DO you mean to say
that Mortified has refrigerated like
tina Ernstus Powers? Surely the
pagan ancestors are not far in the
Tear!"
]. II was speaking Of the town coun-
ell. only he answered as II p%ronounc-
Ing sentence.
Well, you tell them it was signed
by 56 OF the biggest Fourth o. July
men on earth at that time; our first
Congressmen. too"
And Mrs Powers swept up and down
the apartment, a very Goddess Of Lib
serty.
b town council met that evening
ana the president was commissioned
by the powers behind the throne to
ssssees TO II" Very ably did he Suggest,
ondNs~mention The matter" and before
aheEWaaGaaWare they were all wonder
E1ulIysentkuscd.
He could almost hear Ben and