Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-06
The Big Cele-
bration
BY DAVID C. GALE

Copyright 1912, by Associated Literary
It was a sweltering day when the
letter came, one Of the days that
makes you wonder why cities are
built. The streets were parched and
glazing, and the of1ces-everyone
knows how they are in midsummer.
Marshall Kenton leaned back In his
chair with his eyes half closed. A
bit Of paper had set him to dreaming
Of the distant hillside where he had
first become acquainted with green
fields and shade trees.
IF you could arrange 1t so as to
be at home the first week IN August, ;"
the letter ran, there's going to be q
big celebration. Town is q hundred
years old. Most likely you would see
some people you know"
So the sleepy old town had decided
to mark the advent Of It's second CEN
fury with birthday party. What a
record Of uleventfrl years! He COULD
remember when, as boy. he had
climbed the hill out beyond the meaC
dow and counted every house In the
village. And the last time he was at
home he had found 1t surprisingly
easy to point out those same houses.
THAT was when Alice was married"
be mused. Five years-no-can It
be as long ago as that7 I wouldn't
have believed t."
All that afternoon he was living
amid old-time surroundings. Once
I. more he set out on the path that
leads up past the trout.brook to the
spring In the edge Of the woods. He
threw himself down beside 1t as or
old, and watched the bubbles zigzag
their way to the surface. He could
almost hear the call Of the south wind
in the naples over his head.
When he reached home at night, bis
eye was still vibrant with hoyish EN-
thusiasm.
/: "You must have had good day. =!
was his wife's greeting.
Il got letter from home" came the
smiling reply.
. Then I'm sure there must be
something nice IN it-you are 80 light
hearted. You ran uD the walk like a
boy
Il am boy" he cried. as he hand
: ed her the letter. I've been a boy all
the afternoon. Don't ask for q rea-
son; It's impossible to explain It No
one can tell why this letter Of all the
others should have given me such q
backward turn-unless it's the hun-
dred years idea Anyway, I've squan-
dered my time IN dreaming"
And have you decided to goT
eve must. It would be crime to
put It of any longer, business Or no
business. ! hadn't realized until to-
day that it's been five years since We
paid the old folks visit. No wonder
they keep asking when we are COM
Ing home
I'm tell you what you ought to DO"
she exclaimed. Get the whole family
nome"
I "Cursf"
'No-thefrs."
sThe old house wouldn't begin to
hold u.s." protested Marshall.
Il mean their sons and daughters;
OF course would love to go myself
and take the children" she FASTENED
to add, ''put that can come later. Just
for this once. I'd like to have you all
20 back alone. IN no other way could
you give your father and mother 90
much real pleasure; It would seem
like old times to them. Thiuk Of vhat
1t would mean to you. too"
Il don't believe It can be arranged.
The rest Of the family might not be
able to get away
"oh. yes It cam she persisted '4'll
write to them tonight"
Thus It came about that. on the 6rst
Monday In August, the grown-up Ken
ton children were on their way to the
big celebration. They met at little
town six miles from their destination.
They met there because the train
could carry them DO nearer-beyond
that point the stage was their only
choice. It was the same stage which
had carried them to and fro when
they were children IN reality.
Had Uncle Jerry. the driver, been
in charge Of things that afternoon, be
would never have set out with any
such collection Of baggage and ex.
press-he would have left a part Of II
until the following day. But the boy
was sanguine. and thought he could
take it all. He was about ready to
start when the Kentons came in
sight
"wait minutei" wheezed Mar
shall who had run on ahead to make
ARRANGEMENTS where's Uncle Jer
y2'
aHe's sick; I'm driving today"
Can you make room for usf"
"Guess soft you don't mind beinl
crowded. Get In anywhere you can.