Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-06-27
A Proper
Celebration
And 1t Fitted Right In on the
Fourth of July
By CLARlSSA MACKIE


and May was four they captured a sug-
ar bowl together and ran as fast as
their chubby little legs would carry
them to the barn, mounted to the hay
loft and emptied the bowl into their
stomachs. The sting of the shoe sole
which followed only added to the
bond between them.
Then came the schoolmate age, and
1t brought another episode calculated
to unite their young hearts. May pos
sessed doll whose eyes would appear
TO open and shut An accident to the
optic machinery within caused that
part of the eye on which the pupil
was not painted to remain always
to the front. One of the boys made
fun of Mays doll, and Mel gave him
licking
1t Is needless to say that with such
heart links to bind their souls together
when they We're children they became
real spoons when they grew up. But
this period during which true love
should run smooth proved the reverse,
and instead Of being the bosom of a
gently flowing river it was the humps
and hillOcks of the glacier.
Then another fellow stepped in be-
tween them and their paths forked.
Nevada Pete studied the fly spotted
calendar with his one good optic. The
glass eye stared fiXedly at the wall
over the calendar.
Seems like that there calendars
got you hypnotized," drawled Luke
Mather
Pete turned his head on his long
neck. "Tomorrow's the Fourth of
July" he remarked.
'Tell it to Sweeney" was Luke's
caustic advice.
Wake up" cautioned Henry Dorr,
yawnfng. I've known it ever since
last year"
Pete laughed. you amt likely to
forget the Fourth, either"
For on the previous anniversary of
his country's birth to freedom Henry
Dorr had held pack of cannon crack
ers too close to his careless cigarette.
The cigarette happened to be lighted,
and-well, Henry spent several weeks
in bed and came forth with his natural
beauty much marred, which was a
pity, as Pete insisted, because Henry
had no good looks to spare
Henry bore their teasing with good
natured tolerance. On the Double Bar
ranch they were much given to tor
menting. one another and to practical
Joking
Il was talking to Mrs. Whiffie yes
terday," remarked Pete, tipping his
chair back against the wall
"You might be observed in that pleas
ant occupation most any time" put in
Luke.
Pete looked down at the cigarette he
was rolling.
"And she says" he went on evenly,
that her children amt ever seen a
firecracker. They don't know what
Fourth of July celebration looks like"
For the love of Mike! Where have
they lived?" asked the amazed Mr..
Dorr.
ooh, .homesteading up in Washing
ton. Kids all born up there. And
Whiff1e too down and out to fire off
his gun, l reckon, when the Fourth
did come around. He was half dead
when they reached Gods country,
meaning Umpas county, and before she
tIIpr1 OF no Of
him died and left her with three kids
to bring up"
Tough luck" muttered Luke.
It's a good thing she amt ashamed
to do washing and ironing. She's got
a job at every ranch within ten miles
of her shack. She's keeping the hull
county clean"
and what's all this leading up to"
demanded Henry Dorr
"a celebration for the Whiffle kids"
said Pete firmly. He took off his hat
and passed it around.
Fifteen dollars and four cents" he
announced after counting tine result.
"Some celebration" nurmured Luke
sleepily Il reckon the widow would
rather have the cash to buy clothes
and food for the kids"
Pete passed the hat again. but he
only CLEANED two collar buttons and an
assortment of dark glances.
"You must think we're a collection
Of conscience smitten millionaires,"
grinned Luke.
asUo,,s,o an onlIootio,, Of 1-pooI-arS 70
torted Pete. "What'll we buy, fell
lers?"
The nine looked interested.
"Old man Miller's got some skyrock-
cts" suggested Barker.
"Skyrocketsw repeated Pete, writ
ing the words down in a greasy memo
randum book. Anybody else got any
brilliant suggestions to make"
They all had and they all voiced
them in one deafening chorus.
When the list was completed a COM
mittee of eight cowpunchers rode over
to Bear Gulch to buy the fireworks,
and the remaining member of the DOu-
BILE Bar outfit. Mel Archer, was dele
gated to notify the Widow Whiftle OF
the impending celebration.
Mel set forth on his errand in an IN
pleasant frame of mind. In the first
place he had never seen the Widow
Whifie. and in the second place he did
,ot care for women. Once upon a
time a woman had thrown him over,
and Mel Archer had sworn against the
fair sex ever since.
Still he had been interested enough
to put on his best white silk shirt and
orange necktie. which was vastly be
coming to his dark, good looking face.
she sure might be scared if l look
ed too much like a hobo" said Mr..
Archer in excuse for his vanity.
The Widow Whites shack was tuck
ed under the brow of hill several
miles away from the Double Bar.
Archer had never seen it, but now
80 ha rode Soxxn thn trail that ended Of