The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-07-03
had been arranged for those who

WISHED 10 IlSL6u 10 tue GA6IClSGS.
Groups of people were scattered about
on the grass under the trees, sur
rounded by baskets of food and deli
cacies, for there was to be an old
fashioned picnic at the conclusion of
the speaking, and almost everybody
had come prepared to stay the day
out. Boys were running about beg
ging fire to set off their crackers, or
hourishing toy pistols in way that
threatened the eyesight of half the
company. Young men and maidens
strolled about the grounds, chanting
patriotic songs, or gossiped in knots
under the friendly oaks.
Col. Johnstone found a seat for his
daughter and himself near the plat
form. The band struck up "The
Star-Spargled Banner" the presi-
ding officer and the speakers filed onto
the stage, the Seats quickly filled,
and the literary program of the day
began. Every reference to the free
dom and glory of the United States,
and they were many and eloquent,
was cheered to the echo. 1t was a
typical company of American citizens,
bent on making the most of the one
day in the year set apart to commem-
crate the brave deeds of their fore
fathers.
At last the chairman introduced
Capt. Tolliver, the hero, he said,
fresh from the battlefield of the war
in which the United States was at
present engaged. The young officer
arose and began at once to speak.
He made no attempt at oratory, but
told in simple, soldiery way of the
trials and struggles of his fellow SOL
diers in the far-away orient. He pic
tured the benefits which were to come
to the country with the new posses
sions, how America had at last taken
its rightful place among the nations
of the earth, and how the flag, which
waved above them there on this an
niversary of the greatest day In the
history of the country, was loved
and revered by the men who were
fighting under its shadow across seas,
among strangers, for the honor and
glory of America.
Just here bulky form arose from
one of the middle benches, and, push
ing its way into the aisle, came for
ward near the platform. 1t was Jim
Darrow, the bully of the township,
and reckoned as one of the most quar-
relsome men in the community.
When the people saw him approach
ing the platform, they moved uneasi-
ly in their seats, for they OWNED he
meant some insult to the speaker.
"What right have you in the Philip
pines, Ned Tolliver?" he shouted
hoarsely.
"The right of soldier fighting for
his country" replied the young Of
fcer, calmly.
"You lie. You are all set of
thieves and murderers. You joined
the army because you couldn't make
a living at home, and now you are
taking it out of helpless lot of mig
gers. You are lot of thieves and"
Capt. Tolliver sprang from the
platform and faced the bully. The
bronzed face had an ashen color, but
his eye flashed and his voice was
ringing and firm:
"Take back what you've said, Jim
Darrow."
ri don't take back nothin' ~
The slender, compact form of the
captain Strengthened, the clinched
hand shot out from the shoulder,
there was a dull, crushing sound,
and the bully swayed and fell in a
heap between the seats. Then the
captain sprang lightly back upon the
platform and beganto speak as though
nothing had happened to interrupt
him. But the crowd, which had sat
breathless for the moment, suddenly
awoke to the situation, and, rising az
one, began to cheer. A dozen men
ran down the aisle, and, grabbing the
bully, who was slowly rising to his
feet, fairly dragged him off the
grounds.
Col. Johnstone was the first to
reach the platform. He grasped
Tolliver's hand as he hurried to his
side, and said "By the honor of a
soldier, you are man. Hang it, sir,
you may dream as much as you want
to. You were right. A bank is no
place for you. Forgive me and come
home with us to dinner. Mabel is
here, and wants to see you."
And that night, as the three sat in
the moonlit gallery, the colonel took
his pipe from his mouth to say: II
didn't think it was in you, Tolliver.
Dreamer Cad. never saw pref
tier knock down in my life. You are
worthy the best and sweetest girl in
the country, and you shall have her,
whether you come into the bank or
NOT -