The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-24
"OLD GLORY"
And Why the Town Of Sand Hill
Didn't Hoist Him.
By NJ. QUAD
Copyright. 1875 by Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.

1t was Enos Hopkins who got the
idea that Sand Hill should prove her
patriotism to the world at large by
displayin' the American flag for seven
days week. He got the idea one Sun
day mornin' as he lay in bed, and he
Rugged it to his soul and chuckled over
it for week before he said anything
to Twin soul Everybody knew by
his actions that somethin' was up.
At length, when Saturday night came
and there was the usual crowd at the
postofice, he shot or his gun. He had
his speech all prepared. He told how
the American flag was first hung to the
breeze; how men cheered for liberty
as they saw 1t; how it had given hap
piness to millions Men had fought
cheerin' for that flag. and men had
died blessin' It. He wanted 1t h'isted
In Sand Hill at sunrise every day in
the year. and he wanted children to
cry for it and men and women to ven-
crate 1t.
AS soon as the crowd had recovered
from its surprise and began to cheer
/ Deacon Black said 1t was a mighty
strong pint and one worthy Of lead
In patriot of Sand Hill. He was heart
LILY in favor Of the idea, and he would
then and there contribute Is cents to-
ward the purchase Of public flag.
Then Hosea Saunders spoke. His
grandfather had died while fightin'
under the stars and stripes. His IA
Their had fallen and killed himself
while climbin' fagpole. His mother
had wrapped him IN the flag of liberty
when he was born. 1t was hard times
and money was tight, but he would go
without tobacco for a month in order
to contribute a shillin' toward the pur-
chase of flag. With his own hands,
If agreeable to all. he would hist the
emblem at sunrise and lower 1t at
sunset durin' the rest of his natural
life.
The deacon said that was also a
beautiful speech, with a mighty strong
pint to 1t, and the feelin's of the crowd
had got so worked up over freedom
and liberty that tears stood In many
eyes. Hosea was followed by Squar'
Joslyn, Philetus Williams. Abraham
White and others. and thar was fire.
/ quent cheerin' and shakin' hands.
About ten years ago Abijah David
sons dog tore the ear of hog owned
| by Joel Hardman. and the men had
been enemies ever since, but under the
| excitement and patriotism engendered
by the speeches they fell into each 9TH
er's arms and became brothers ag'in.
It was settled that a public contribu-
| ton should be taken up to buy fifteen
dollar flag, and then came the question
! Of where 1t should be raised. Enos
| Hopkins, who had started it all. got
up in a modest way and said he would
60 30 the expense Of plantin' a pole in
front Of his house. 1t was on high
ground and the flag could be seen from
every house in town.
I'VE wouldn't put Enos to all that
trouble" said Deacon Black as he rose
up. Hes done his sheer in thinkin'
out the plan. I'll see that the flag is
duly displayed from the roof Of my
cooper shop when 1t arrives"
whats the matter h'istin' 1t over
my grocery" asked Dan Skinner as
he wiped the tears of emotion from his
eyes. st isn't as high as some places
but more central"
Then everybody bobbed up and de-
handed to be heard. Every man pres.
ent wanted that flag in front of his
house or place of business and no
where else, and purity soon they was
shakin' their fists and sayin' they'd
be burned If they wouldn't have II
there or refuse to contribute red cent
There was lively row on in two min
its, with no more weepin' over pa
triotism.
Deacon Black ratified on the stove
pipe with his cane until he quieted the
racket. and then he said:
"Feller patriots, have we no public
speerit among usY'
I'VE haver yelled the crowd.
Then let us exhibit 1t. Bein' my
cooper shop is the highest buildin' ir
town and bein' the American flag has
got to fiipfop in the breeze to be seer
and venerated. l unseifishly offer t.
put up pole and take charge Of thC
flag"
80 do II" shouts every man In the
crowd.
Then Squar' Joslyn made a speech
He told how a million men had diet
for that flag. how It's stars and barr
had made tyrants tremble, how {
young nation had worshiped 1t ant
made all the world respect it. H'
wound up after ten minits by ofrerin
to float it from his boss barn. but onl,
Kisses and groans followed. There was
signs that three or four patriots would
soon be punchin' each others heads
when Tom Bates strolled in in tina
careless way of his. Deacon Blael
pounded and ratified till he got orde
and then said:
II want to hear from Tom Bates oil
this matter. Mebbe he can sugges
sunthin. Tom, what place in towI
would you say the American dag ough
to doat fromY'
How many stars are there in tn,
American fag2" calmly asked Tom.
Nobody could tell.
well. how many stripesT
Nobody could tell.
=" Pears to me-" said Tom as he start
ed to wander out ag'in-" pears to M
that as none Of you can tell the differ
ence between the American Gag and |
tablecloth you'd better hang up an oil
army blanket most anywhere and let
go at THAR
And at the end of Eve minits NOR
there wasn't a patriot left in the post