The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-03-25
grossmutter to the baby. Hurrah for
WashingtOn's birthday.'

&IOOSuutlSE W Tue DdUt. HuTTdQ IOI
Washington's birthday
Never had the old public hall held
such an astonished and delighted au-
dience as the one that crowded into 1t
that memorable night. Gay festoons
Of bunting, countless little flags and
wreaths of evergreen transformed the
dingy old place completely. A large
picture Of Washington placidly BEAM
ed from its place of honor. Over and
around it, reaching almost across the
stage. was draped great silken flag.
borrowed for the occasion.
Its enough to make even n craven
image feel patriotic" whispered Squire
Hardy to his wife as the children's
sweet voice: made the room ring with
the grand old national airs.
Declarations followed each other in
rapid succession. Then came a scene,
with recitations, in which Uncle Sam
and all the states of the Union took
part. The very air seemed charged
with the little teachers electrical spir-
1t Of patriotic enthusiasm.
1t was at its height when Karl came
forward to give the famous speech Of
Patrick Henry. His delivery was SO
much better than the rehearsals had
led her to expect that even Miss At
worth was surprised. He seemed to
find an inspiration in the crowd. A
storm Of applause followed 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 had prepared for an encore"
"Oh. known said Karl, and in an
other instant he 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 a
few words of English rocked them
selves back and forth In excited de-
light: Mr.. Schmidt beamed with vast
smiles; many an 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 as 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, dcafening applause broke out.
As it subsided 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 IL unconscious
of all the eyes fixed on him and swung
himself up on the platform with one
long step.
''Friends." he began, 1--WE been liyin'
kind Of dead among ye for many's the
year. Now I want to say word OF
I two. ! a'a't no great at spaaclsifyinr
but these old songs and pieces we've
been a-listenin' to have spirited me UP
like the trumpet does an old wal
horse.
II want to say that fit for that old
flag, and yet livin' here so long and
never a 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 oil get out our
pocketbooks and throw in to get q
handsome flag to fly over this school.
house. Take an old soldiers word fol
1t. there amt no greater inspiration
anywhere to make fellow put in his
best licks and come out on top. Now
Miss Teacher. I'll just get the sense OF
this meetin'."
He paused n moment, then turned to
the audience: "All who want to ex.
press their thanks for this evenin's
entertainment and are willin' collec
ton should be took say 'Aye!"
Such 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 IN occasional dollar showed
how deeply selfish hearts had beer
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 thu
smaller ones struggled sadly out o.
J line, but as Karl, at nod from hi:
teacher, caught the great flag from
its place and stood with it in the mids
} Of them every voice rang out full ant
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 60 when l
was all over. They came up to th'
teacher with awkward expressions o
pleasure and appreciation.
"I'll never forget this night" drawl
ed one fnded, overworked woman, t
whose eyes the rich colors and tinse
Of the stage decorations had scenes
a part Of fairyland. That music wa
so sweet, and my little Meta looke'
like a picture with her hair curle'
: and that beautiful dress on you mad
her. l really didn't know she was 9
. pretty. I'm going to fix her up an
get her lot of nice things after this"
"Well, 1t was worth WHILE" said th
little teacher as she dropped into
chair at home, too tired to take of he
wraps.
!. Indeed 1t was" answered the squire
|. Jake Schneider's new patriotism ros
30 he said he'd put walk on eac
side Of the school for half mile. eve
: II nobody d help him. Then lot {
'em began to talk 1t over. The upshc
3 Of It was that old Schmidt is goin'
give the logs, and they're all goin'
l work tomorrow to hew them off an
D stake them down"