Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-07-07
A Proper
Celebration
And II Fitted Right In on the
Fourth of July
BY cLARlSSA MAcKIE

NN~@~~~-~
Mel Archer and May Baldwin were
spoons from the time they were the
tiniest Of kids. When Mel was five
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
It brought another episode calculated
to unite their young hearts. May pos.
sessed a 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
a licking.
II Is needless to say that with such
heart links to bind their souls together
VIXEN they were 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 1t was the humps
and hillocks of the glaciey.
Then another fellow stepped I'm 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 upT cautioned Henry Dorr.
yawning. "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.
II was talking to Mrs. White yes.
terdsy," 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
hrecracker. They don't know what a
Fourth OF July celebration looks like"
For the love Of Mikel Where have
they livedf" asked the amazed Mr..
Dorr
"Oh. homesteading up in Washing.
ton. Kids all born up there. And
Whiftie too down and out to fire Off
his gun. | reckon, when the Fourth
did come around. He was half dead
when they reached Gods country,
meaning Umpas county, and before she
could turn around the other half Of
him died and left her with three kids
to bring up"
Tough luck" muttered Luke
TITS a good thing she amt ashamed
to do washing and ironing. She's got
Job at every ranch within ten miles
OF her shack. She's keeping the hull
county clean"
And what's all this leading up tor"
demanded Henry Dorr.
"A celebration for the whifie kids"
said Pete firmly. He took of his hat
and passed 1t around
Fifteen dollars and four cents" he
announced after counting the result.
Some celebration" murmured Luke
sleepily. II 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 miiiionaires,"
griuned Luke.
You're collection Of Knockers" re-
torted Pete. "whatll we buy, fell
lersf"
The nine looked interested.
"Old man Miller's got some skyrock.
cts" suggested Barker.
"SkyrocketsT' repeated Pete, writ
ing the words down In greasy memo
randum book. Anybody else got any
brilliant suggestions to maker"
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 White OF
the impending celebration.
Mel set forth on his GRAND in an un-
pleasant frame Of mind. In the first
place he had never seen the Widow
Whittie, and In the second place he did
not care for women. Once upon n