The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-10-11
XIV
Glorious Fourth.

&tHAt uS 0IOT1o0U FObTkhs
A good deal Of water ran under the
Woodruff district bridges In the weeks
between the school election and the
Fourth OF July picnic at Bight-Mile
grove. But few surface indications
there were OF any change in the little
community In this annual gathering Of
friends and neighbors. Wilbur Smythe
made the annual address, and was In
rather finer fettle than usual as he
paid his fervid tribute to the starry
flag, and to this very place as the
most favored spot In the best coun-
~ O. the greatest state in the most
powerful, Intellectual, freest and most
progressive nation In the best possible
of worlds.
Jim Irwin read the Declaration
rather we'll, Jennie Woodruff thought,
az she sat on the platform between
Deacon Avery, the oldest settler In the
district, and Mrs. Columbus Brown,
the sole local representative Of the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion. Colonel Woodruff presided In his
Grand Army OF the Republic uniform.
The fresh northwest breeze made
free with the oaks, elms, hickories and
box elders Of Eight-Mile grove, and the
waters Of Pickerel creek glimmered
a hundred yards away, beyond the
fitting figures of the boys who pre-
ferred to shoot off their own frecrack-
ers and torpedoes and nig%ger-chasers,
rather than to listen to those of Wilbur
Smythe. Still farther off could be
heard the voice of a lone lemonade
vender as be advertised ice-cold lem
brand-new spade, by an old maid, as
a guaranty that 1t was the b~lamedest,
coolest lemonade ever sold.
Under the shadiest trees q few In.
corrigibie Marthas were spreading the
snowy table-cloths on which would
soon be placed the bountiful repasts
stored in ponderous wicker baskets
and hampers. 1t was a lovely day, In
a lovely spot-a good example of the
miniature forests which grew natural
ly from time immemorial In favored
locations on the Iowa prairies-half a
square mile of woodland, all about
which the green corn rows stood aslant
In the zoo breeze, waist-hiqh and laid
by"
They we're passing down the rough
board steps from the platform after
the exercises had terminated In a
rouslng rendition Of "America," when
Jennie Woodruff, having slipped by
everybody else to reach him. tapped
Jim irwin on the arm. He looked back
at her over his shoulder with his slow
gentle smile,
isn't your mother here, JimT' she
asked. I've been looking all over
the crowd and can't see her"
"She isn't here" answered Jim. II
WAS in hopes that when she broke loose
and went to your Christmas dinner she
would stay loose-but she went home
and settled back into her rut."
"Too bad" said Jennie. Shed have
had a nice time If she had come"
"Yes," said Jim, II believe she
would"
II want help" said Jennie. "Our
hamper is terribly heavy. Pleased"
1t was rather obvious to Mrs. Bonner
that Jennie was throwing herself at
Jim's head, but that was an article Of
the Bonner family creed since the de-
cIsion which closed the hearing at the
court house. 1t must be admitted that
the young county superintendent
found tasks which kept the school
master very close to her side.
"Sit down, JIM" said Mrs. Woodruff,
you've earned q bite of what we've
rot. It's good enough, what there 10 of
II, and there's enough of it, such as 1t
isl"
I'm sorry" said Jim, but I've a
prior engagement"
why, JIM" protested Jennie. 1--WE
beer counting on you. Don't desert
mel"
I'm awfully sorry,' said Jim, "but
i promised. I'll see yon later
One might have thought, Judging by
the c%olonel's Quizzical smile, that he
wa pleased at Jennie's loss Of her
former swain. n aT
wen have TO invite him longer