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;,, .- a.iW. njj- , 'ini.iiiniiTTm-'ri''mi "f" . Tr-p--"! "W 1 ! 0 i jl i I For ronlng a plctnfo or bust of Washing tauou February 12 l:h eleigreons.) ijpl w I if , JUPE 'Its the day of our Wash ington's rlorv. The carlands uiiitlt for our liberties won. nd sine In jour f;ladncs,s his echoing story. Whoso sword swept for freedom tho Holds of tho sun. Not with gold, nor with Rcms, llut with evergreens crnal, And tho banners of stars that tho continent span, Crown, crown wo tho chief of tho heroos eternal, Who lifted his sword for tho birthright of man I Ho sayo us a nation, to mufco It Immortal Ho laid down for Freedom tho sword that he drew, And his shade leads us on to the radiant portal Of tho glory of pcaco and tho destinies now. Not with rold. nor with gems. But with cvorgreens vernal, .And tho flags that tho nations of liberty span, Crown, crown him tho chlof of tho heroes eternal Who laid down his swerd for tho birthright of man! Lead. Faco of tho Future, serene in thy beauty. Till o'er tho dead heroes tho Pcaco star shall gleam. Till Right shall bo Might in tho counsols of duty And tho scrvlco of man bo life's glory su premo. Not with gold, nor with gems, llut with evergreens vornal. And tho flags that the nations In brotherhood span, Crown, crown wo tho ch!of of tho heroes eternal, Whose honor was galnod by tho servlco of man I O Spirit of Liberty! sweet ore thy numberst Tho winds to thy banners their trlbuto shall brlns "Whllo rolls tho Potomao whero Washington slumbers And his natal day comes with tho angols of spring. Wo follow thy counsels, O hero eternal. To highest achievements tho school leada the t an. And, crowning thy brow with tho ovcrgreons vernal. "We oiler our all to tho scrvlco of man. Hczeklah Buttcrworth, In Youth's Com panion. lOriginaLl HAT impressed rao most about Posey liend, at first sight, was its display of flags and bunt imr. There was scarcely a house in the place, it seemed to me, that was not Hying tnc nauonai colors from window or roof. 1 was un able to account for this until tho land lord of tho tavern relieved my curiosity .by reminding mo that it was tho 22d of February, nnd assuring mo that tho people of Posey Bend wcro intensely patriotic "Washington's birthday is purty nigh as big a day as the Fourth of July with us," said the landlord, with a ring of prido in his voice. "Ef you're thinkln' 'bout stayin' over night it'll -bo wuth yor while, I reckon, to sco the celebration we're goin' to havo in .the town hall." There was no question about my staying over night. An exasperating washout on tho railroad had com pelled mo, much against my will, to stop at this llttlo cross-ro.id village with no chance of being able to con tinue my journey for twenty-four hours, at least. The prospect was not a cheerful one, and I caught eagerly at .. .1 -i ., - ! 1 alio suggestion mat. wio u-iuruius iu Jionorol Wasmngions uinnuay ungut afford tho means of killing time, al though under other circumstances I probably would havo regarded it as feomething to bo religiously avoided. For the present tho good-natured gossip of mine host was sufficiently di verting. I had found him quite alono in tho "ofilce" of his tumble-down old tavern, and apparently not averso to passing tho time lr. conversa tion. Ills name, as I soon learned, was Maj. Thompson. Ho was along, lank specimen, and as ho sat with his chair tilted back against tho wall, and one thin leg dangling over tho other, ho had almost tho appearance of a skel eton. "Wo alius eolobrate Washington's birthday," ho said, as ho sent a stream of tobacco juico toward tho stove. "Sling out tho flags an' havo bomo sort of a doin's appropcrt to tho 'casion. I rcck'lcct when wo was satisfied with a spcllin match, or a housc-warmin', or . barn-dance, but hycr lately tho young folks has kinder tuck hold an' now wo liavo intcrtainments in tho town hall, with rcg'lar music an' singin' and dec latnationsan' dialogues an' sich. Thcy's .two of 'cm to-day." "Two what?" "Intcrtainments. Norations an' music this afternoon, an' a sort of ex hibition tablozc, or ever what you call 'cm to-night. 'Saftcrnoon Jcdgo Can lcrbuck'8 goin' to noratc. llccn mak in' tho satno speech for twenty odd year. It's a pood un, too, 'specially where ho brings in 'bout tho Father of his Country bcin' tho first in war, first in peace, an' first in the hearts of his countrymen, an' where lie scz this .broad iand o' liberty is tho p-oud Ucr- WmWi i $- WW fy i w ttago of of somcthin' or other, 1 for got jes' what. Hut tho biggest time'll bo to-night, I reckon. Tho young folks is goin' to dress up in clothes like they uster wear a hundred year ago, reprcscntin' Ucoriro Washington nn' Marthy Washington, an' continental soldiers, un' Britishers, an' all them revolutionary people. An' at tho end of it all thoy's goin' to bo a weddin'. " "A wedding!" "A rail out-and-out weddin'. Yes, siree!" "Do you mean that a couple of your town people will actually bo married?" "Shore's you're a foot high," chuckled Maj. Thompson, evidently enjoying my show of interest. "Tho bridegroom's old Ezry Hunker, the richest man in the gas-belt, an' tho brido is Hessio Powell, 'Squiro Powell's youngest girl. Thoy'ro to bo married in tho hall, an' after that have a sort of reception at tho 'squire's houso. Ezry Hunker's old enough to bo the girl's father, too. Seems like a burnin' shame, 'causo they say Bossio kecrs a heap more for Lafo Clayton's little finger than sho does fer Ezry Bunker nn' his million. Lafo's a likely young feller, an' owns tho best farm in the county, llut Ezry ho's got tho money, an' tho 'squire's got his eyo on it, an' I wouldn't be a bit s'priscd ef TDJ,K TxRtw THE CLOBIN'O the girl's pap's jes' natchcrly forcin'her to marry tho old monoy-bags. That's why I bay hello!" broke off tho major, as he glanced out of the window, "hycr comes Lafo this minute." Tho door opened, nnd four or five heavily-booted men came stamping in. Tho foremost was a tall, athletic young man, with a red but rather handsome face, a sandy mustache and a pair of frank blue eyes that twinkled with good humor. "Howdy, major!" exclaimed tho young man, breezily. "Howdy, Lafc," returned the major, rising, "Howdy, boys," he added to tho other members of the party. Tho newcomers contented them selves with a curious glance in my di rection, and then followed tho land lord into an adjoining room, where the chinking of glasses boon mingled musically with loud, cheery voices and frequent explosions of laughter. In a few minutes the men came troop ing out of tho inner room and left the house. Maj. Thompson resumed his scat with tho remark: "That's Lafc Clayton that-air sandy-complected feller. Lafe he'd been kcepin' company with 'Squiro Powell's girl for nigh on to two year, an' folks 'lowed they'd hitch, shore. Mighty likely sort of a boy, Lafe is, an' purty well off, too, but notliin' like as rich as old Ezry Hunker. That's why Ezry gits tho girl, an', as I say, it's a dad burned shame." "Hut your Mr. Clayton seems to be light-hearted enough," I suggested. "He doesn't give one tho impression of being downcast over tho situation." "That's what gits me," confessed tho major, with a puzzled look. "It's been tho talk o' tho neighborhood that Lafo was dead in love with the girl, an' that she thought a powerful sight of him, an' we 'lowed the pore boy 'ud jes' natchcrly pine away cf ho had to give her up. I didn't reckon ho'dcomo to town to-day at all, but ho tells mo ho's goin' to bo at the doin's to-night an' reperscnt oneo' them revolutionary chaps Paul Itevcrc, I b'liovo ho said tho feller's namo was. Lafo's got tho finest boss in the county, an' ho's goin' to take that boss right into tho hall an' on tho platform, and play like ho was this feller Paul IJcvcro a-sct-tln' on his boss. It kinder beats me, I own up. 'Lowed ho'd bo purty tol'blo disapp'inted, but ho didn't act that away a bit." At tho hour appointed for tho after noon meeting I dropped into tho town hall, it was n binglc-story building, tho hall being on a level with tho street, and atone period in tho history of Posey Hcnd had done duty ns a court house. That was before tho county scat had been removed to a' moro nourishing town. I was entertained by Judgo Gandcrbuck's tribute to tho eagle, and joined lustily in tho singing of "America," "Tho Star Spangled Hanner," and "Tho Hattlo Hymn of tho Republic." Hut what interested mo most was a sight of Hessio Powell, who wa3 tlicro with her father, tho 'squire. I was sur prised to find her a pretty girl, petito of form, with dark eyes and n ravish ing bmile, and without tho faintest suggestion of tho coarse country maid en in her appearance or manner. I be gan to feci something of Maj. Thomp son's indignation that so charming a creaturo should bo compelled to marry an ugly old ogro for his money. That night Maj. Thompson and I went to tho entertainment, and snt together during tho performance. The hall was crowded, for many people had come in from the surrounding countiy to sco tho "exhibition," and particularly to attend tho wedding of Squiro Powell's daughter. Tho entertainment was a scries of pictures presented by men and women clad in tho costumes of revolutionary times. Upon tho whole it was a very crcditalilo affair, and I was not sur prised to learn that Bessie Powell haa been tho leading spirit in designing tho tableaux and wardrobes. Goorgo Washington and his associates figured in tho majority of the pictures, but one of tho best of tho series was "Paul Kcvcro's Hide," represented by Lafo Clayton correctly dressed and equipped for tho part, sitting on a handsome black horse, one arm extended toward a group of men, womqn and children as if in the act of warning them of tho approach of tho British. Man and horso were as motionless as if carved in stone, and when the curtain was drawn the audience demonstrated its approval in vociferous applause. Tho last number on tho programme IMCTUItE. was tho "Continental Wedding." Ev erybody, of course, knew what that was to bo. Old Ezra Bunker, in pow dered wig and the uniform of a Conti nental army officer, and little Hessio Powell, in the most becoming of Mar tha Washington costumes, were to lend realism to the sccno by being actually united in marriage, and tho Methodist minister of Posey Bend was to officiate. In n flutter of expectation tho audi enco waited for tho closing scene. There was a delay. Maj. Thompson and I were engaged in a whispered conversation when we became aware of a commotion on the platform be hind the curtain. The disturbance quickly extended to the front rows of tho audience, and people began to leave their beat and talk excitedly. Maj. Thompson rose hurriedly nnd strode down tho aisle. In a minute or two ho came back, his eyes bulging, his jaws opening and closing rapidly on his quid. "Tho devil's to pay!" ho exclaimed, "Bessie Powell has disappeared!" Just then 'Squiro Powell, who had been cavorting about in high dudgeon down near tho stage, came running up tlio aisle toward tho street door shout ing: "It's Lafo Clayton! Stop him! Head him off, somebody! Don't let him get away! Where's the marshal?" Close upon the 'squire's heels came old Ezra Bunker, in powdered wig and uniform, limping painfully and puff ing. As of ono accord tho bewildered peo ple rose and began to push toward tho door. In a few moments they wcro swarming out upon the street, Maj. Thompson and I among tho rest. Wo had scarcely reached tho open air when tho swift clatter of a horse's feet struck upon our cars, and a man's voice gave vent to a shout full of tri umph and defiance. Tho next Instant a horseman emerged from the darkness and dashed through tho light that il luminated tho street in front of tho hall. A magnificent black horse; on his back a man, still in tho picturesque costumo of Paul Itovere, but with n. lont' capo clasped about his neck and streaming out behind; in front of tho saddle a female figure, wrapped in a clonk, its head resting on tho man's breast. It was tho closing picture of the even ing's entertainment, been but an in stant, but never to bo forgotten. As ho swept by Lafo Clayton waved his hand to tho astonished people and shouted: "Good night!" In another moment horso and riders had vanished in tho doom, and the stupefied crowd stood listening to tho hoof-bcats dying away down tho road. Then, in spite of tho rage and dis comfiture of Squiro Powell and Ezra Hunker, a cheer went up from half a hundred throats. It was plain that Lafo Clayton had tho sympathy of that crowd. In exchanging tho character of Paul Kcvcro for that of Young Lochinvar, and runuing away with tho prospective bride of the old millionaire, tho young farmer had made a hero of himself in tho eyes of the natives. Before 1 left Posey Hcnd tho next day I learned that Lafo Clayton had carefully planned the elopement; that a minister was waiting at a farmhouso five miles away, and that ho and Bessie stopped there long enough to be mar ried, after which they proceeded to his homo. I havo since learned that 'Squiro Powell accepted tho situation with n good grace when ho found that there was no help for it, but that Ezra Hunk er refused to forgive cither Bessie or Lafo. J. F. IlENDEnsox. FIRST LADY. Martha Washington In Society and In tho Home. As George Washington was tho man of tho moment, so was Martha Wash ington the woman of the hour. It has been said, in fact, by many historians that much of the success of the "Ea thcr of His Country" is to be attributed to tho help nnd sympathy he always found in his wife. No wife who did not feel all of this could have written, as Martha Washington did, to a near friend, in 1774: "Yes, I foresee conse quences dark days, domestic happiness suspended, social enjoyments aban doned and eternal separations on earth possible. But my miud is mado up; my heart is in tho cause. George is right; he is always right God has promised to protect the righteous, and 1 will trust Him." It seems strange, when ono recalls tho brilliant and successful receptions she commenced in tho executive man sion in New York and always continued in Philadelphia under tho name of levees, that this woman, who from tho first moment Washington was elected president gave a tone and a standing to tho whole of continental bociety, should yet dislike official life. Never theless, bo her biographers state, and add that sho was greatly rejoiced when her husband refused a third term in 1700. At her homo at Mount Vernon sho was undoubtedly at her best. A house keeper of the real old bchool, surround ed by a bevy of maids, and with a great bunch of keys hanging from her waist, she attended to and oversaw every detail. Hero her dress was of the simplest material and make. Tho silks and brocades that made her such a magnificent figure in Now York had no place in her country manse. Her gowns wcro of homo manufacture in variably. Despite tho dignity of tho Washing ton homestead, its retinues and its liveries, a homely air of simplicity lurked within its do6rs. Mrs. Wash ington was an admirable hostess and liked tho house to be full to overflow ing. Sho is said to have been very beautiful, a rather small woman, with dark eyes, fair bkinucd and of quick temper. A touching instance of the affection her husband had for her is to be seen in the fact that after his death her miniature, which he had worn con stantly for forty years, was found upon his breast Chicago Tribune. A Gcnulno Sportsman. No picture shows George Washing ton better than the glimpses and snatches wo get of him on his broad lawn, sloping gently down to the Po tomac, and iu tho hallway of his fa mous, now national, colonial manse. Mount Vernon, a glorious estate to havo and to hold. It contained nino thousand acres of swamp, woodland, hill and meadow, and fishing, boating, shooting or chasing the fox could bo enjoyed for the space of a day's travel ing without ever onco going over the boundaries. Washington was a ltcen and active hunter, and riding behind the hounds was a Virginian sport that met with his cordial approval. A thorough sportsman was lie besides, and it is related how one flno day ho sprang from his horso into a muddy pool, not caring for tho barrel of a shotgun at closo quarters, and wreaked vengeance on a poacher and tres passer. Chicago Tribune. Washington Wns a Christian. There are strong reasons to conclude that ho va3 a devout Christian. In boyhood he wrote religious sentiments; he had religious services In his camp; ho urged the appointment of chaplains of his troops; lie forbade profane swear ing among tho soldiers; he was a church vestryman; when a day of fast ing and prayer was appointed ho says in his diary that ho went to church and "fasted all day;" ho constantly at tended church when he was in civil lire, tiiougu tno nearest cnuren was seven miles distant; ho tool: tho com munion when possible; though a mem ber of tho Church of England, ho onco applied to tako tho communion in a Presbyterian church, which shows his catholicity; and his public papers con stantly acknowledge God as the ruler among nations, and as the object of hu man allegiance and worship. N. W. Christian Advocate. A Quaint Old Watch. "What sort of a watch is this?" asked Duzcnberry, picking up a curious old time-piece from an Austin watchmak er's bhow case. "That," replied the, watchmaker, "is a real curiosity. It is a watch that be longed to Alexander tho Great, when he died on tho barren island of St Helena." "Tho mischief you say. Why, man alive, in tho days of Alexander tho Great they didn't havo any watches." "mat s lust wnat makes it such a curiosity." "And Alexander tho Great did not dio at St. Helena." "Ho didn't, ch? Well that makes it a still greater curiosity," and, taking tho rare relic from the hands of Duzcn berry, ho locked it up in his burglar proof safe. Texas Siftings. What, IndcecIT It was George Washington's birth day. Tho bolls wcro ringing and the cannon were booming in commemora tion of tho father of his country. Lit tle Ethel, aged five, wise nnd thought ful beyond her years, was gazing out of tho window apparently in deep thought. Suddenly sho awoke from her reverie, and, turning around to her father, said: "Papa, what aro they go ing to give George Washington for hia birthday?" Boston HcraM. A CHANGE OF TUNE. Phof. TEiHionrreiJ) (new principal at Pine Comer's School) John nea'yj Koyscr, you were talking with one of the other scholars. Now, tell mo what tho conversation was about, and don't you daro to lie to mo. J. II. KnvBEit Bill Slumper bet me five cents that I couldn't lick you, and E bet him ten cents that I could. PnoF. Tehbokfiei.d Well, ah you may be seated. Tho Reporter Was Ilattleil. "I wonder whero Miss Consuelo Astor, tho new debutante, keeps her nose," said Mr. Murray Hill, who was reading a daily paper. "What an absurd remark for a sen sible man to make," said Mrs. Murray mil, tossing her head. "Nothing absurd about It This so ciety reporter writes: 'The fair young debutante has an exquisitely molded face, of which two dark hazel eyes aro tho central feature.' Now I want to know whero her noso is situated?" Texas Sittings. RIGHT IN THE SWIM. Pat Dennis is quite a clubman now. Mike When did ho jino thefourcc? N. Y. Herald. In Some Doubt. , Passer What's going on In that hall? Policeman Well, there's a lot of long-haired men and short-haired women there, but I don't know whether it's n suffrage association or an atldetic club. N. Y. Weekly. Of Course hho Would. "I offer thee," exclaimed tho prince in the btory, "my crown. Wilt share it with me?" The beauteous maiden smiled. "Sure thing!" she answered. "Why shouldn't I? They are wearing men's btylcs in everything." Town Topics. A Slc;u of Conquest. Madgo Young Mr. Purstrings is confident that ho's won that girl. Margaret How do you lenow that? Madgo When ho takes her to tho theater now ho makes her rido in a street car, and ho used to get a car riageChicago Bccord. Carrying Out the Figure, "A human life," said tho sentimental young man, "i3 a poem tragic, comic, sentimental, as tho caso may be." "Yes," sighed Miss Passcigh, "and so many of us aro rejected manu scripts." Washington Star. Tho Cause of the Evil. Visiting Englishman What was it that first started tho free lunch institu tion in this country? Mr. Manhattan I guess It must liavo been tho constant influx of so many hungry foreigners. Truth. Human Nature. Wo modern men aro giants strong At framing rosdutlons, But when it comes to keeping them Wo aro but LlUputl.ir.s. Kansas City Journal. would in at ni: COULD KEACII them lk The Dog Say, you Venus and Psyche, if I only could get up there, I'd knock tho stuffln' out of that living picture. Life. Answered. Lord Bullbeefe Aw, Miss Glddcigh, do you go in much for cycling, may I ttwsk? Miss Glddcigh No, I always rido out doors, Lord Bullbeefe- Town Topics Willing to Hisk it. Microbes may on tn klf scs, As scientists declare; But what do youths and misses. Who know just what tho bits Is, Tor blocHnlns microbes care? -Kansas Journal p&izL - d&WSr' W'f .lU.'-'M ". -. iss- As to Appearances. "You are eying me, sir, aa if yoos thought I had designs on your umbrel la," said tho lean passenger, as tho train drew into tho depot "Do I look like a man who could bo capablo of stealing an umbrella?" "Since jou ask mo tho question, sir," answered tho fat passenger, "I am com pelled to say that I think you do." "And you look as If you might possi bly bo a gentleman and a man of de cent horse-sense," retorted the other. "How deceptive appearances sometimes arc!" Chicago Tribune. Ardent Lore. "My young friend," said tho million aire, frowning, "you admit that you aro poor and you know that my daughter Is very wealthy. Would you, a pauper, marry her, knowing her to bo worth a million?" "Sir," said the young man, who was a person of intense resolution, "my af fectioa is proof against such tests. I would marry your daughter If she were worth two million." Chicago Kecord. A Hint to roll ce Captains. Judge Duffy You aro sentenced to tho Island for thirty days for being; drunk and disorderly. Have you any thing to say? Prisoner Well, yes, I'd like to ask your honor a question. "What is it?" "I have got a wife and nine children. Couldn't wo all go to the island togeth er and servo out the time in a few days?" Texas Sif tings. A Real Saving The Lady Shopper What? Pay 13 for a lamp like that? It's outrageous and I won't pay it! The Astute Salesman You forget, madam, that the price has been reduced to $4.09. Tho Lady Shopper (reaching for her purse) Oh, very well, then; I'll take it. Chicago Kecord. Tho Small noy's Tcstlvlty. Ho cares not for tho ballroom That grown folks patronize. The small but solid snowball Is Just about his size. Detroit Frco Press. roSlTIVK EVIDENCE. Irato Merchant I thought you said this safe was burglar proof. Agent What moro proof doyouwant of burglars than tliat? Judge Account Italancetl. Mr. Much Who gave you the nickel Dickie? Dickie Sister. Mr. Much For what? Dickie Not telling yon how old shs is. N. Y. World. An Ideal Profession. "Sho is studying for a profession, yoa say?" "Yes; that of n lecturer." '"An ideal profession, I should say; at least for a woman. Nothing to do but talk." N. Y. Press. Triumph. "Hear you settled that tea thousand, dollar damage suit. Did you get as much as you expected?" "I should say I did. They paid mo a hundred dollars ami all expenses." Brooklyn Life. PcrBCicrinc Alan. Cumso There is a good deal of perse veraace about Looney. Cawkcr (incredulous) What's that? Cumso It's true, no persists in. making a fool of himself. Town Topics. A Manifest Lie. Managing Editor What did you dis charge Bluffer for? City Editor Lying. I sent him to interview Slug, thu pugilist, and he re ported that Slug wouldn't talk. Pucli- In Ilaby Time. Benedick (3 a. m.) My dear, cant you do something to quiet that child? , Mrs. Benedick (wearily walking Well, I might hand him over to youM Harper's Bazar. Those Dear Girls. Miss Elderly I fainted last nlgli'v Maude Who proposed? Iifo. JWfc