The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-08-23
HIS LUCKY FOURTH
BY ELLA M. BANGS.

AS JollH went out 10 pick peas Tor
the Fourth-of-July dinner Of his moth
er and himself, he paused, and his
dark eyes swept over the scene before
him with sense of pleasure, familiar
as II was for the small farm stood on
high ground, with green fields and
woods stretching to where, a mile
away, the clustered roofs and white
church spires, pricked out among the
green, stood where the village lay.
Going on, the young man soliloquized,
II declare | feel like a kid, I'd like
to jump up and down and holler. I've
put out the flag and dunno what else
to do, but I'd like to have a real glori-
Gus Fourth"
AS he went on he bethought him of
circus that was to take place in the
neighboring town of Berrydale, and
when little later he returned to the
house, he looked up the handful re-
garding It, Yes, here it was. "Won-
derful Hlgh-Class Performance. Aero
bats, Trained Dogs, Chariot Races and
Mile. Resale, the Queen of Equestri-
ans"
Accordingly, in due time, John, in
his runabout, set out for Berrydale.
passed the booths outside the tent, i'm
mune to the temptations Of pink lem
onade, peanuts and popcorn, and, en-
tering the circus tent, found a seat
In the front row nearest the arena.
There was nothing so wonderfully
high class" about the performance as
the advertisements might lead one to
expect. John was not overcrltical, how
ever, and sat contentedly enough
through the scene till burst from the
band announced the appearance of
Mile. Resale. Then the young man
Strengthened with a new interest, not
only in the featS of this equestrian
queen, but there was something appeal
Ing about the dainty figure in her fluffy
skirts as, poised on the back Of the
"hlgh-splrited Nero" she came on, and
Johns gaze never left her for mo-
ment till-what was the trouble? What
had happened? A shrek from the
spectators, the horse trOtted out rider
less, and a crumpled heap in the saw
dust of the arena.
John could never really recall the
next few minutes, but with bound
he was within the Enclosure, the faint
ing girl in his arms. Presently just
outside the tent he was one of the lit
tie group standing about the still fig
ure Of Mile. Resale.
A physician vas called, and arrived
just as the girl regained consciousness.
mo bones broken" was his announce
ment, "but a badly sprained ankle,
and shaking up generally. She will
need a long rest" And he added
something about a shock to the nerv-
Gus system.
"Well, what's to be doneT ques-
toned the proprietor. "She's no good
20 us like this, and we can't take care
o. her"
Upon this John stepped forward "lf
there's nobody else, I'll see that she's
taken care Of" he volunteered.
And so the girl consented. And only
too glad to get her off his hands, the
man gave her over to John, without
question, and John took her straight
home TO his mother.
Here John briefly explained the sit
uatlon, whereupon the motherly heart
Of Mrs. HOlway was stirred with sym
pnthy for this forlorn bit of woman
hood. Resale was placed in a cool,
airy chamber, where the honeysuckle's
sweet breath was brought to her, and
MS she sank back In her white bed she
looked up into Mrs. Holway's face with
the words:
az didn't know anybody In the world
could be so good When | left the
circus folks II didn't care what be-
come Of mel oh, | never want to ride
agaln" she said with n shudder.
"Black Nero has nm ugly temper, and
| was afraid of him, and he knew 1t,
Of course, and am sure he threw me
on purpose"
81 reckon wen have to keep her
awhile" said John, but he did not meet
his mothers eye just then.
A week or two later, rs the two
women were sitting on the plazza, one
afternoon, John joined them, taking
II seat on the step and tanning him
self with his hat.
"Whnt beautiful place this isw
Resale exclaimed. looking Off over the
stretch Of grccn.clad country.
"Do you like III" smiled Mrs IIol-
way.
The girl drew long breath of con-
tentment. at is like heaven" she an
swercd.
And John, looking up into her blue
eyes, found an echo of her words In
his heart.
Three months later Mr.. and Mrs.
John Holway were returning from
their wedding trip and. passing through
Berrydalc, John turned the runnbout
toward the circus grounds. Slowing
up he observed, "ITore Is the spot
where first saw you"
Resale shuddcred ana then: ut Ia
the spot Of my misfortune, and my
greatest good fortune" she said, smil-
Ing up nt him, and John returned
gruvely, at was glorious Fourth for
me, all right"
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
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