Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1915-09-24

night was the short, wiry, deep-chested
n figure standing by pillar in front OF
\ San Marco. 1t was a night to linger
/ and listen, to expand and glow In the
K moonlight. From the Grand canal
came quavery foreign cries, the soft
A dip of oars, glints of lights, and wisps
\ OF melody. 1t was night to win one
Y from bed, night dimming all day;
4 Whistlerian nocturne.
The old San Marco clock doomed
ominously twenty-one times, proclaim
ing the hour of nine after the olden
fashion giving each hour of the twenty
four its rightful count. And with the
last re-echoing boom the piazzi band
burst into a rousing military strain,
standing in the center of the square,
surrounded by throng Of night-pleas-
urers; for the Venice season was on,
and the city thronged.
The lonely-looking figure in front of
USan Marco stirred, stepped out, and
ptrolled toward the music, slipping in
10 chair before table In an outdoor
cafe.
Cafe MORT" he ordered from an
pbsequious waiter. and sat musing be-
Tween the music and hilarious party
pf Americans drinking champagne at
The next table.
t'You can tell an American wherever
he is" cried the modishly dressed
Young fellow who was buying the bot
Hes, flushed with excitement and wine.
MAnd a man from Manhattan you can
Eecognize by the cut of his coat, his
ravat. smooth face. and keen eyes"
THAT is the American eye for
money and business, / presume"
rawled an Englishman in the party.
1--WE have to earn ours" answered
he flushed youth 1.-THE majority of
ur families aren't old enough to in
erit from. The aggressive American
pirit leaves its print on all Of us. Do
ou think you could mistake one Of us
pr a whiskered Frenchman, an oily
allan. a stolid German, or a tight
'ousered Englshman?"
"All this patriotism because this is
our Independence day. presume"
miled the Englishman.
Fourth of July ought to make a
nan think of his country. You people
ave hank holidays, Christmas and
few Years; that's all. Did you ever
&c regular Fourth OF July celebra-
on?"
"Oh. know: beastly vulgar. charm
hgly Chinese; fireworks, songs,
peeches-''
"Wait! Well show you Fourth Of
uly celebration" AS the band stopped.
be young American jumped to his
hair and waved his hat.
"1urrnh for Fourth OF July!" he
RED. Americans! Americans! We're
bout to jolt old Venice with real
ourth of July celebration. Anybody
no can sing Yankee Doodle or
bixie,' come over here and help. Unit
we stand: This is our day, gather
ound, and we may oven find some
bdy who knows the words tc
merica'"
He sat down amid reproving glances
ON the conservative members Of his
lrty and rardonable patriotic grirs
ON the others.
"hurrah for Fourth of July! We're
ming!" came a cry from the other
be of the square, and minute later
ur young college fellows burst upon
table of Americans.
welcome to our city: my names
owen, Belasco Bowen. Glad to see
u on this suspicious day; sit down
ID quar- the sizzling fireworks drink.
(rotechnical champagne. Forward.
hericans!" He beckoned to the
pwd about the band, and a number
recruits came.
There's New Yorker!" cried Be-
co Bowen. spying the wiry little
In sitting at the next table slipping
cafe noir little excitedly. II car
him by his derby. Come on in;
watered wine is fine."
The lonely-looking man picked up
cup, and joined the party, introduce
himself as Mr.. Hardy-none other
In Christopher Poe.
NOW all together!" cried Bowen,
ell sing Yankee Doodle and sur
Sc the natives. One, two, three!
nkee Doodle came to town. rid
81" He picked up an empty bottle
waved 1t as baton in time to the
ely song led by the college men sup
ted by dozen others. Passing Eu-
cans smiled indulgently at the mad
orleans, and quite crowd gathered
enjoy the refreshing novelty.
Come on!" cried Bowen, as the
g came to an abrupt finish. We'll
ke a raid on all the stores around
e. and see what we can scrape up
The way of fireworks. Then we'll
III launch and take a trip on the
Ial."
lis enthusiasm was contagious; Of
score of Americans only three
he'd to drop out. and while the col
ans rushed OF to find a Chinese
which might furnish fireworks,
ZEN banteringly persuaded Mr.. and
Van Wentd, the chief dissenters,