The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-02-16
Hurrah for


such an astonished and delighted au-
dience as the one that crowded into it
that memorable night. Gay feStoonS
Of bunting countless little flags and
Wreaths of evergreen transformed the
dingy old place completely. \ large
picture Of Washington placidly beam
ed from its place of honor. Over and
around it. reaching almost across the
stage. was drapcd Il great sikcn flag.
borrowed for The occasion
Its enough to make even Il .r;iyei.
image feel patriotic" whispered ST. tiro
Hardy to his wife as the i't!r'1.'%
sweet voices made the Toe: = viii
the grand old national airs
Determinations followed eac!, G., \, :. i
rapid succession Then came :, :t-.-..t.
with Rotations. in which iac.,' Va
and all the states of the tl.iuIi TOOK
part. The very air seemed GOA. = t,
with the little teachers elect tai il.
it of patriotic enthusiasm
1t was at its height when karl cam,
forward to give the famous speech of
Patrick Henry. His delivery was So
much better than the reIlear.s;ils had
led her to expect that even Miss At
worth was surprised lie seemed to
find an inspiration in the crowd y
storm of applause follow ed the Give
me liberty or give me death"
What shall we dO?" she whispered
In dismay as the persistent clapping
Of many hands called him back Il
wish you hud prepared for an encore"
"Oh, l know said Karl, and in an
other instant lie was on the stage
again
In the deep hush that followed his
clear, musical voice rose in German.
He was reciting "Mein Vaterland"
Old grandmothers who knew but Il
few words of English rocked them
selves back and forth in excited de-
light; Mr.. Schmidt beamed with vast
smiles: many all eye grew DIM think
ing of the old beloved home across
the seas But the boy was thinking
of his own native country. There was
no miStaking his meaning rs he turned
in closing to wave his hand toward
the portrait and the flag My father
land he cried. with true feeling, and
then. after moment Of general sur
prise. deafening applause broke out
AS it subsidized Miss Atworth stepped
forward to announce the last song. but
Peter bowling. his face aflame with
new delight and old memories. rose,
stalked up the aisle as if unconscious
Of all the eyes fixed Oh him and swung
himself up on the platform with, one
long step.
''FrfendS." he bean, I've been livin'
kind Of dead among ye for many's the
year Now | want to say Il word or
two. | amt no great at speerhifyin',
but these old songs and pieces we've
been a-listenin to have spirited me up
like the trumpe, does an old war
horse.
Il want to say that hit for that old
flag, and yet. livin' here so long and
never celebration for young or old.
I'd half forgot my patriotism. It's our
schoOlteacher has woke me up to see
in the truth
II propose that we all get out our
pocketbooks and throw in to get Il
handsome flag to fly over this school
house. Take an old soldiers word for
it. there amt no greater inspira tion
anywhere to make fellow put in his
best ticks and come out on top. Now
Miss Teacher. I'll just get the sense of
this meetin'"
He paused moment. then turned to
the audience: "All who want to OK
press their thanks for this evenin's
entertainment and are willin' collec>
ton should be took say 'Ayer"
Such a storm Of ayes followed that
Peter caught up his slouched hat and
began to pass 1t around with his only
arm. Dimes and quarters clinked into
1t. while an occasional dollar showed
how deeply selfish hearts had been
stirred by. the uplifting influences of
the hour.
Miss Atworth seated herself at the
piano and beckOned to the bewildered
Goddess Of Liberty to lead the states
again across the stage. Some Of the
smaller ones struggled sadly out Of
line, but as Karl, at nod from his
teacher. caught the great flag from
it's place and stood with it in the midst
Of them every voice rang ont full and
true on the chorus:
Yes. we'll rally round the flag. boys.
Well rally once again.
Shouting the battlecry Of freedom
People seemed loath to 90 when 1t
was all over. They came up to the
teacher with awkward expressions Of
pleasure and appreciation.
IN never forget this night" ':',wl
ed one faded. overworked woman, to
whose eyes the rich colors and tinsel
of the stage decorations had seemed
a part Of fairyland THAT music was
so sweet. and my little Meta looked
like picture with her hair curled
and that beautiful dress on you made
her | really didn't know she was so
pretty. I'm going to fix her up and
get her lot of nice things after this"
well, it was worth WHILE said the
little teacher as she dropped into
chair at home, too tired to take off her
wraps.
Indeed it was" answered the squire