The Arizona sentinel., 1889-07-13
FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY.
A Story for Small Boys Appropriate to the
 Season.


 Season.
 Papa, papa, did you bring us any fre-works?" screamed Harry and George Hall. both greatly excited.
 No, my boys. I was not in the city to-day. Besides, you are both too small for fireworks" Mir. Hall only said this to quiet his sons. He knew very we'll that no boy, unless baby, is ever too small for fireworks.
 "Oh, no, papa. Jimmy down the road is to have some, and he~1ittler than me-, said Harry.
 'Robby Morny's to have a whole package of fire-crackers all to hisself. an he's not two years bigger than me, :" protested Georgy.
 Il think pack of torpedoes for each of you will do the least harm. They won't blow you up," said papa, who had almost forgotten how he used to feel on the Fourth.
 Well, papa, what's the use of talk ing of blowing up. You did not bring any," said Harry, who was bit of a philosopher. Both boys looked very sober, and papa felt sorry for their dis appointment
 How will it do if I give you each fifty cents. You can spend it as you please at the village store. Fifty cents! Georgy danced for joy. Fifty cents! papa? TrulyP I never had so much all to myself, did IF"
 "Oh, you're a baby. l had more than that last Christmas. said Harry, who is a whole year older than GeorgY, who is small and delicate looking. But Georgy is not easily repressed.
 Gan we have the money now, papa, and go right away? What'll we buy? Oh goody, fifty cents!"
 Here is your money. After supper you can decide what you want to buy, and tomorrow morning you can go off and spend it." You see this papa was a wise man. He did not want to be awakened by daylight with the noise of exploding gunpowder.
 That evening the boys had lively time deciding how to spend their money. They had lived through so few Fourths of July that they knew the names and prices of only few fire works, but they wanted all the kinds they had seen. Mamma laughed quietly as she heard the words so often re- peated, fire-crackers, tOrpedoes, punk, pistols. The poor boys got badly tangled in trying to make out list, and finally took to calling one another names. Papa thought it time to inter- fere. Boys, boys, come here; l think you need my help Whats the trouble? Are you tired of your money and of the Fourth? What is this Fourth, anyway. that you are making such fuss about?
 By this time Georgy was tired with and worrying. and was glad to lay his curly head against his papas shoulder.
 ''Oh, know all about it" said Har- ", ''soldiers and parades and fire works. You took us last year to see splendid ones in the park in the city. Georgy is so little he forgets.
 No, I don't member Bridget's boy put whole pack of fire-crackers in barrel and set 'em off. Wasn't it funP That's what I'm going to do to- morrow
 Why? What is the use of so much noise and so many explosions? You say you know all about it, Harry. Tell me-"
 'Well, papa" said Harry, drawing very long breath, "once there wasn't any Fourth of July here"
 No Fourth O July" interrupted GeOrgy. What did the boys dO?"
 There was lots of soldiers here and they wanted to boss every body, and there were fights" said Harry.
 Ibid any body get killed dead?"
 "Yes, ever so many" continued Harry, ''and then there were ever so many boys who had no papas and no money"
 "oh. dearl Why didn't they stay at