The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-07-03
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
A Story for Small Boys Appropriate to the
Season.

Season.
Papa, papa, did you bring us any
fire-works?' screamed Harry and
George Hall. both greatly excited.
mo, my boys l was not in the
city to-day. Besides. you are both too
small for fireworks" Mr.. 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's hitler
than me-" said Harry.
''Robby Morny's to have whole
package Of fire-crackers all to hisself,
an he's not two years bigger than me,
protested Georgy.
Il think q 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? Truly9 never had SC
much all to myself, did I?"
"Oh, you're baby. ! had more
than that last Christmas said Harry
who is a whole year older than Georgy
who is small and delicate looking. Blu
Georgy is not easily repressed.
Can we have the money now, papa
and go right awayP 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 of
and spend it." You see this papa wa
a wise man. He did not want to b,
awakened by daylight with the nois
OF exploding gunpowder.
That evening the boys had livel,
time deciding how to spend thei
money. They had lived through 81
few Fourths of July that they knew tn
names and prices of only few fire
works, but they wanted all the kind
they had seen. Mamma laughed quietl,
as she heard the words so often re
peated, fire-crackers, torpedoes, punk
pistols. The poor boys got badl
tangled in trying to make out list
and finally took to calling one anothe
names. Papa thought it time to inter
fere. Boys, boys, come here; l thin
you need my help What's the trouble
Are you tired of your money and of tn
Fourth? What is this Fourth, anyway
that you are making such fuss about
By this time Georgy was tired wit
thinking and worrying, and was gla
to lay his curly head against his papa
shoulder.
"Oh, know all about il" said Har
ry. soldiers and parades and fire
works. You took us last year to Sc
splendid ones in the park in the city
Georgy is so little he forgets."
mo, | don't l member Bridget
boy put whole pack of fire-cracker
in barrel and set EN- of. Wasn't
fun? That's what I'm going to do t
morrow"
why? What is the use OF so muc
noise and so many explosions? 70
say you know all about it Harry. Te
me-"
well. papa" said Harry, drawing
very long breath. ''once there WASH
any Fourth of July here"
No Fourth o july" interrupte
Georgy. What did the boys do7"
There was lots of soldiers here an
they wanted to boss every body, an
there we're fights" said Harry.
Ibid any boo y get killed dead?"
"Yes, ever 20 many" continue
Harry. land then there we're ever s
many boys who had no papas and n
money
oh. dear! Why didn't they stay ;