The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-09
THE MAJORS MEMORIES.
Tie Tells How He Once Celebrated .
Holiday

Uncle Major" said Jack. as ne and
Mollie helped the major TO remove his
bat and coat. do you think there's much
danger In little boys having flre-crackers
and rockets and pin-wheels?"
"Or In little girls having torpeters?' put
In Mollie.
"Wen. don't know" the major an
fwered. warily. What does your papa
cay about TT"
He thinks we ought TO wait until we
are older. but we don't" said Jack
''Torpeters never sets nothing afire,"
said Mollie.
That's true" said the major, kindly;
but after all your father is right. Why.
DO you know what happened to me when
I was boy?"
Haven't any idea" said Jack.
You burnt your thumb said Mollie,
ready 10 make guess at 1T.
We'll. you get me cigar and I'll tell
you what happened TO me when was
q boy Just because my father let me
have all the fireworks ! wanted, and
then perhaps you will see how wise your
father is In not doing az you wish him
to-"
Jack readily found the desired cigar.
while Mollle brought the major a match.
after which he settled down comfortably
in the hammock and swinging softly to
and fro told hts story.
MY dear old father" said he, was
the most indulgent man that ever lived.
He'd give me anything In the world that
I wanted whether ne could AFFORD IL or
not only he had an original system OF
giving which kept him from being ruined
by indulgence OF his children. He gave
me G Hudson river steamboat once with
out fits costing him cent. 1 saw H.
wanted IT. was beginning 70 cry FOR II.
when he patted me on the head and tod
the could have It. adding. however.
that ! must never take IL away from the
river or try TO run II myself. That sat-
isfed mo- All wonted really was The
happiness Of feeling that 1t was mine,
and my dear old daddy gave me permits
sion 10 feel that way. The same thing
happened with reference TO the moon
He gave II to me freely and ungruiS-
tngly. He had received It from his father.
he said. and ne thought ne had owned
II long enough. only. he added. as he
had about the steamboat, must leave
II where 1t was and let other people look
az II whenever they wanted TO and not
interfere II l found any other little boys
and girls playing with It's beams winch
I promised and have faithfully observed
20 this day.
'Of course from such a parent as THIS
you may very easily see everything was
20 be expected on such day as the
Fourth OF July. He used 10 let me have
my own way at all times. and II Is q
wonder I wasn't spoiled. ! really can
understand how 1t Is that I have become
the man ! am considering how was
INDUCED when l was small.
However like all boys. was very
fond OF celebrating the Fourth. and being
more or less ingenious boy, i usual,
prepared my own fireworks and many
things happened which might not other
wise have come TO pass IL l had peer
properly looked after as you are. Inc
first thing that happened on the Fourth
OF July that would a great deal better
not have happened. was when l was-er-
how old are you. Jack?'
Eight" said Jack. Going on nine"
THAT was exactly the age I was at the
Just nine n day"
Eight, / said" said Jack.
Yes" nodded the Major. "Just eight
but going on toward nine. My father
had given me ten dollars to spend or
noises. but unlike most boys ] did no,
care so much for noises as l did FOL
novelties. II didn't give me any particu
lar pleasure to hear giant cracker gc
on with bang. What ] wanted to do
"'"s' oh al was 10 get up some KIND OF
On exhibition that would please the peo
PIE. anh mat could be seen In daytime
instead OF at night. when everybody II
ured and sleepy. SO instead Of spendin,
my money on fire-crackers and torpedoei
ana rockets. l spent nine dollars OF Il OF
powder and one dollar on putty blowers
what L wanted 10 do was 10 make on
grand effort and provide passers by witt
Tree exhibition OF what was going I.
can carraway's Grand Geyser Cascade.
40 90 this properly set my eye upon