Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1899 — The Village Fourth. [ARTICLE]

The Village Fourth.

Within the shaded doorway The eager children stand, For the strains of stirring music Announce the coming band. The roar of distant cannon Mingles with the chime of bells. While nearer still and nearer The joyous tumult swells. Dear grandma leaves her knitting, And with baby on her knee Comes and sits among thechlldren. Who are shouting now with glee, For adown the street comes marching A long and varied train Keeping step to “Yankee Doodle,” The merry old refrain. Now the last of the procession, With Its flags and srteamers gay, Whisks around a distant corner In a cloud of dust away.