Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-06-30

IooKers souIs Or was It Jn1 uunu "a
Mary s voice crying out brayely to himG
Never mind what-never mind when or
how. 1t stirred and awoke. The little
groups holidaying on every side of him
appeared in a new light in his eyes
Yonder a rough bearded father was
teaching his middle aged daughter to set
of firecracker, laughing bilariously at
her fright An old mother little way
farther of was dancing grandbaby to
the band rs merry tune. The baby's moth
er looked on proudly There, over there,
pair of lovers walked shy and contented
and unheeding, through the crowds. The
man looked like John Tracy when John
was young. The girl-she didn't look like
Mary
Adam Tooker shrugged his shoulders
impatiently We're all the daughters mid
die aged and all the women old2 lost,
tiny urchin tugged at his hand, calling
him grandpa in an imperative baby
voice. He dropped the little fist, then
picked it up again and spent patient
hour finding the ohild's people.
He resolved to stay to the fireworks, as
he had planned to do, though he had lost
the zest of the day. AS the first rocket
shot into the air he heard a familiar voice
near him Mary's. "Oh, mother, isn't it
beautiful"
She was sitting on the back seat of John
Tracy s wagon beside her mother. Uncon-
sciously her shoulders were Strengthened
and her head thrown back John Tracy,
looking back at her, took his enjoyment
reflected from her happy face. Once or
twice he leaned back and readjusted the
light robe over her lap and let his hand
linger minute, unhindered.
"He looks like John Tracy, too, when
John was young, nuttered Adam Took
er, with grim smile, an, thank good
ness, this girl looks like Mary Maryp'
He went up to the wagon and touched her
arm, reaching up on tiptoe. So you
come over, you an Lavinys Good evenin,
John There's goin to be quite show,
they say with your driyin over"
A rocket or two went up overhead with
out their notice. An embarrassed silence
possessed the little group. When Mary
spoke at length, there was little quiver
underlying the bravery of her voice, but
she subdued it resolutely as she went on.
"Good evening, fatherl' she said
"Ain't you tired out standing on your
feet SO? guess there's plenty of room for
! you to sit down beside John, isn't there
John? You can just as well as not.
why, yes, said John You jump
| right in, Mr.. Tooker-jum right inl'' he
cried heartily Il was Just thinking what
q pity it was to waste all this room in the
middle of crowd You get right ini"
Yes, do, Adam, /" ventured Mrs. Tooker
timidly. "You look real tuekered out. !"
But with his foot on the wagon step
Adam Tooker changed bis mind and step
ped heavily down again. He reached up
a stout forefinger and gently prodded
Mary's arm.
No, " he said gravely, though under
bis shaggy brows his eyes actually twin
kled No; you get in ahead, Mary, with
John I'll set with Laviny on the back
seat. l guess that II even US up better.
And so, 'eyened up, they sat and
watched the rockets burst into stars over
their heads and trail down fainter and
| fainter into obscurity. On the back seat
perhaps remembrance of other years
young, loving years-came to Adam Took
or, for once Layinia's tired hand in it's
loose cotton glove was sure it felt lin
gering, clumsy touch.
And on the front seat Mary Tooker'
| Independence day was ending with vista
of happy, independent years for her and
John. Youth s Companion.
l