Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-07-11
FOURTH OF JULY.
At the JohnstonS'.

| What is that?' exclaimed Mrs. John.
ston, nervously starting from her morn
ing slumbers.
Only the guns-sunrise salute
Fourth of july murnured her hus'
band, drowsily.
'Ob, dear 1 shall not be able to
sleep another wink. This dreadful
day How wish there were no Fourth
of July!
Mr.. Johnston woke up at this, and
opened his eyes.
why, Maria, Pm surprised at you
The most glorious day of the year ::
an American | thought you hat
more patriotism-more love for youI
countryr
One can love ones country without
wanting to be a martyr to the noise
and discomfort of Fourth of July
celebration! p returned his wife, with
some spirit. The truth is, hate and
dread the day above oil others, though
l dare say it does sound uDpatriotic to
say so.'
Hate the day which our forefathers
made the most g-o-lorious on record in
the history of the whole world?' ex-
claimed Johnston, now lully aroused.
Then why could not our forefathers
have had wisdom and consideration
enough 10 choose some more agreeable
time to hand down to US for celebra-
tion?' persisted Mrs. Johnston. But
to select July, of all months in the
year, for parades and speech-making
and fire-works-it's preposterous y
Il am glad, at least that the children
don't hear you,' remarked Johnston,
resignedly. Were all American mo-
theirs to instill such sentiments into the
budding minds of their offspring, this
country would speedily witness another
revolution-back to the monarchy and
tyranny Of Gracious heavens whet
is that?'
'C-r-a-c-k!-pop-pop!-bangl Bow
wow-wow! Mewl-m-e-o-w!-t-spit!"
This was the combination of sounds,
accompanied by a chorus of ffightful
shrieks, which caused Mr.. and Mrs.
Johnston to rush breathlessly into the
hall outside their chamber door.
The hall was filled with smoke and
the fumes of gunpowde: from Luge
pack of fire-crackers which hissed and
splu.t red on the floor. On the win
dow seat stood small six-inch cannon,
apparently just discharged, and beside
it the cannoneer, a sturdy urchin Of
seven, looking halkscared, half-triumph-
ant.
A younger boy lay sprawling on the
landing.steps below - fortunately it
was only six stepc-shrieking at the
pitch of his voice, while little dog
barked irantically around the explod-
ing crackers, and the hou- -tabby, per-
ched on a chair, with archod back and
hair on end, gla"ed insanely at the
spluttering fireworks.
Mr.. Johnston, having hastily picked
up his youngest hope, and ascertained
that he was mere frightened than hurt,
turned sternly to the elder.
Alexander, what is the meaning Of
this p
The namesake of the Grecian hero
came bravely to the ont.
You see, papa, we were celebratin'
Fourth of July-you said we might,
papa. and when fired Toms cannon,
Freddy he light ed all the whole lot Of
crackers at once, 'stead of just two or
free
Il didn't; they lighted theirse,ves.' ,
screeched Freddy, and shooted me
righted over down the steps And
mamma, l frought we was all killed
and dead!'
And he burst out afresh.
'Oh, dear me, exclaimed Mrs. John
ston, that cannon has broken Mrs
Hicks window
And in truth, flushed and indig-
nant viaage, appearing through
broken pane of glass at the opposite
side window of the ad dining house,
corroborated her words.
Those everlasting, mischievous little
monkeys!' was her audible remark; un-
til suddenly catching sight of Mr..
Johnston in bis shirt-sleeves, and she
herself being in dishabilLe, she precipi-
lately retreated.
i am really sorry Mrs. Johnston
said, regretfully. 1t has taken SO long
to get on neighborly terms with Mrs.
Hicks, and now fear it is all undone.'
They kept the two children with
them until they went down to break
fast.
Where are Tom and Richard?' in
quired Mr.. Johnston, as they seated
themselves at the table.
Went out, sir, soon as they got up
replied Bridget.
Il do wish that the schools could be
kept open on the Fourth of july said
Mrs. Johnston. This is the day of all
others on which boys get into most
mischief. Bridget, you have forgotten
the milk and the ice.'
PHASE, mum, that craythur of cat
upset the milk when she come tearin
inter the kitchen, and the ice.man hasn't
come. He's always late Fourth o.
July, bekase he says he's so much extry
Ice to lave round.
The child en- missed their milk, and
Mr.. Johnston bis glass of iced water.
He was slipping his coffee, without the
accustomed milk, when his eldest son,
Tom. aged twelve, made his appear
ance, very hot and dusty, with limp,
and the seat of his trowsers in dilapi-
dated condition.
'Oh, Tom' exclaimed his mother,
your new trowsersl And what is the
matter with your footp
Couldn't help it, ma whined Tom,
dolefully. we went % see the salu G
fired, and l climbed. with the other
boys, on to tree, and when a p'lice-
man started for US we had to cut, and /
got all torn and mussed up. And then
| fell over some loose rocks, ard sort
o. sprained my ankle-not much,
thouph-and-andl lost nv hat y