The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-07-20
A STORY FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.
HOW Che Children spent their Fourth.

on Tuesday 2"
"Well, you see, I never was so
bothered before about Fourth of July.
wish father hadn't given us each a
whole dollar, and said he hoped we'd
spend it in some way that we would be
glad to think of the rest Of our lives"
Yes, but, don't you see, he said. it
was the birthday of the United States,
and they"
" 1.-THE United States is all one"
"Oh my you needn't be so particu-
lar. Father and mother are one, and we
interrupt fellow? It's the United
States One-hundredth birthday, and /
think we ought to do something splendid.
A whole dollar apiece Why, don't you
remember, last Fourth you had 25
cents because you were Ii, and
only 10, as I was IL. What do you
say to our buying one dollars worth of
fireworks and a dollars worth of ice
cream-have enough for once-and in
viting the girls ane father and mother to
Centennial celebration in our shop?"
Tom brought out the last clause of his
sentence with emphasis, casting an adj
miring glance around the "shop." It
was a place any boys and most girls
would have delighted ina room over
the wagon-house, the walls papered from
ceiling to floor with prints cut from the
illustrated papers an old cooking stove
at one end, which, though not used in
July, figured largely in any fun during
the winter, work bench, lot of tools,
which might have been in better order,
1f 9o11 oh ell -
books, with a few old chairs, made up
the furniture-all but one article, which
was so highly esteemed by both boys
and girls in the Hayward family that it
must have a sentence by itself.
This was very queer-looking old
book case or cabinet. 1t had shelves
above, while underneath were drawers
of different sizes, and above all a secret
drawer, which the children took week
about to hide their special treasures in.
But we must hear what Ned has to say
as to Toms grand Centennial celebra-
tion
''That might do for you alone, Tom,
but I'm no child to spend a dollar that
way. Besides, you know, father hopes
we will not have fire works, and am
sure we'd please him by doing some
thing this Fourth that would keep.
Now let's think :" and dear. sober, ear
nest Ned sat himself down on the edge
of rickety chair, determined 20 find
something good, yet grand, to do. But,
after all, it was happy go-lucky Tom that
hit upon the thing that was to bring
glory to their Fourth.
While his brother sat thinking, Tom
went to the old book case, and as it was
his "week," opened the secret drawer,
took out the two bright silver 50-cent
pieces he had put there the night before,
and, at sudden thought, exclaimed,
''I say, old fellow, let's polish and
clean up the dear old bookcase, and
give it to father aud mother for q Cen
tennial present"
It was just like impulsive, generous
Tom, but Ned had to think while :;
and though he could not help feeling it
would give his mother great pleasure, as
he had heard her say that "she wished
now she hadn't given that old cabinet to
the children, or she would have it pol
ished and put in the sitting room, :" yet
still he could not bear to give it w.
Why, it was the only perfect piece of
furniture in their room and Ned felt
the deplorable state of their chairs as
never before. Besides-and the thought
brought relief-the girls had a share in
the bookcase, and they wouldn't do it.
Tom stood impatient for his answer, and
at last Ned said. slowly,
eyes, it's a good idea but, you see,
We really need the bookcase. And
there are the girls why, Minnie has the
lowest shelf for her playhouse, and
Anna keeps all her letters, scraps of
poetry, and what not in her drawer"
"Oh, SO long as you're willing, I'll
bet on the girls. I'll run right in, and
we'll have a meeting about our Cen
tennial."
In about five minutes, during which
Ned has been fin ding more reasons why
he can't bear to give up the bookcase,
and yet feels bothered by secret feel
ing that he ought to do what he can to
sgive the dear mother pleasure, Tom
brings Minnie in, and says Anna will
come IN moment. Minnie is impressed
by Tom with the great need there is of
doing something grand for the Fourth,
and Tom has just worked her up to the
necessary p1Ccu OF enthusiasm, when
Anna chambers up the ladder steps into
the "shop."
CHOW, Anna, see here, we boys are
willing to give father and mother the
bookcase on the Fourth, if you and Min
ME viii give up your share in it. You
won't have to spend any money-why,
come to think Of it, we can have the ice
cream still. You girls have money for
the Fourth, too"
Anna looked stunned, while Ned could
not help smiling at Minnie's frightening
face as Tom proposed giving away her
beloved dolls house; SO he tried to ex-
plain:
"Now, see here, let me tell you all
about it. You see, girls, we ought to do
something nice for this Fourth-some.