The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-28
TROTTY'S FIRE.CRACKER DAY.


Free cheers for the we'd, white and
blue" sang Trotty.
Mamma smiled as she looked out the
window at the picture before her. Trot-
ty, with her hat hanging by its strings
from her neck, her yellow hair flying in
the wind, one hand grasping her little
flag, which was trailing along the ground
in most unpatriotiC way, as with her
other she drew herlittle wagon, in which
were seated all her dollies: her very dear
est Susie, then Daisy, whose neck being
broken, had to be propped up in corner,
and Rosy, who, having lost one arm and
two feet, Trotty thought would feel bet
ter to come out and breeve the air a
little.n H s.
Then followed some half-dozen others,
tucked in here and there, even down to
old Rubber, whom Trotty loved dearly,
though she had scrubbed her so many
times that her face was as black as lot
terry tickets are apt to be
Following this wagon, and fastened to
1t by d string, was a small tin horse and
cart, the latter filed with paper soldiers,
some without heads and some without
arms, but looking as gay as the red and
blue jackets could make them. And
last, but not least, by any means, came
Kitty Gray, soberly following after, I'M
less grasshopper jumped too near her,
when she bounded off for frolic with it
in the grass; coming back soon, however,
and taking her place again with dignified
step.
Free cheers for the wed, white and
blue" sang Trotty, at the top of her
voice.
"Hurrah, Chicken. What's this?"
shouted big brother Ned, as he came
down the steps.
81 amt chicken" said Trotty, in
dignantly; " this is fre-cracker day, and
this is the mecessiOn going by"
Oh, tire-cracker day-so it is" said
Ned. " beg your pardon. Cant help
you celebrate?"
80 Ned, aoould you just whistler"
Whistle what, Pussy?' said Ned,
smiling at her earnestness.
why, wed, white and blue, of course
You needn't sing, Ned, cause you know
| can sing better'n you; but if you'd Just
whistle, cause l can't. My breff all goes
the wrong way, and it don't squeal bit
You can walk right side of me, unless
you'd rather be back there side of Kitty
Gray. P'raps you'd better; maybe twill
keep her from jumping SO much"
So, with as sober face as possible,
Ned placed himself beside Kitty and
whistled the Red, white and blue"
with all his might.
Rpun6 aud rDDpI bo bax
until even Trotty was satisfied and sat
down on the steps to rest; while Ned
threw himself under the elms, saying he
hadn't done so much marching since his
old military drill at school, and he should
have to take nap. Trotty sat quietly
for some time; but began at last to want
something to, do, Wish could 90 to
Nellie Wheeler's," she thought. "Mam-
ma don't let me without leave, but she's
got company, and won't want me to
'sturb her by asking. It's such little
ways; maybe, she won't care;'' so slipping
down the steps, with Susie in one hand
and her precious flag in the other, she
went out the gate.
To be sure it was only little way; up
the street and around the corner a few
blocks; but it was near the depot, and
Trotty's mother did not like to have her
go alone there at any time, least of all
this noisy fire-cracker day.
TrOtty trudged on and in her excite
ment at being alone missed the house
and passed it by But on she walked
81 It's good ways, amt it, Susie" she
said; but there's the railroad track over
there, so | guess we're pretty near her
house" o..
Following the iron track, she walked
on and on, till the streets became wider,
and the houses fewer, and the green
grass looked so cool and pleasant that
Trotty say down upon it with a little
tired sob. .-
We's pretty tired, amt we, Susie?
and ! don't Just know where we are, but
guess well lie down and rest a little
while, and I'll put my flag over you, and
God'll send one of the angels down to
take care of us, so don't you be afraid a
mite, Susie, / amt" but, though Trotty
tried to look brave, two or three tears
would drop and as soon as her head
touched the grass, she was so tired she
fell asleep.
Brother Ned was awakened from his
two hours nap by his mothers fright
ened question: Where's TrottyY" but
no answer could he give
There stood the mecession," Kitty
Gray quietly pnrring as she stretched
and reused from he, nap, but no Trotty
Through the yard they searched, under
every bush and tree, up and down the
street. round to Nellie's, hoping she
might be there. Judge FELTON,, with a
policeman, searched one street after an
other his heart beating with hope as he
caught sight in the distance of some
child carving a flag, only to be disap.
pointed as he reached it, until night was