West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-07-03
JEssE's ROCKET.
A story OF the Evcr eioriou. Fourth
OF July.

n carryall stopped before n small red
house on Il long. lonely country road,
and little white headed boy ran out
from the woodshed 10 see who had
come.
MAY we have n drink OF water from
your wellf" asked lady on the back
scat.
There was n boy i'm front sitting by
the gentleman who drove. He looked
happy aud excited.
What's your nnnle?" he asked when
the little fellow brought dippcr full
of cold, sparkling water.
Jesse Lee" was the reply.
"fm Arthur Brown. DO you know
what day II isY'
Its Wednesday," said Jesse.
"It's Fourth OF July, Don't YOU keep
ltg Haven't you got iirecracLcrs and
rockets and thingsl'
NO" said Jesse.
Were going to my unclc's To stay
all night and were carrying all our
fireworks with us. Say, pnpa. how
far does Uncle Jason live from hcrcy'
1.-TWO miles across lots In that d,rec.
tlon," said his father. pointing west.
"but II is five miles around the road"
"Well.' said Arthur. "if YOU look To.
night over that way when II grows
dark youll see our rockets going up"
"Woll. I'll loak," said Jesse very ear.
nestly
Papa. mean TO give Jesse one Of
our rockets, and then when he sees
ours 40 Up he can send up his, and
shall know he's looking May I?'
Ills father nodded. and Arthur drew
n rocket from his box and handed Il To
Jesse.
"Now. remember" he called back ns
the horses started or.
Jesse Lee bad never seen II rocket he.
fore. He laid this one on the table IN
the front room and went many times
that day 10 look at IT, II was mys.
terry and n great delight When his
fnthcr came In from moving and saw
the rocket. he said he knew how TO
send II up. so Jesse awaited night with
high expectations.
IL WAS quiet day on the little farm.
The sound OF bells and guns In the
nearest town could not reach this re.
mote spot. but perhaps no town boy
was happier than little Jesse. with his
one rccket lying there upon the table.
Supper was over at last ana the work
all done The sun had gone down. and
Jesse took his place on the front gate
90 watch. He looked west and won.
dercd low far two miles would reach
The dusk gathered. the night came
softly down. and. oh. suddenly far
away. star shot nloft up into the sky
and broke In Il shower of brightness.
That's the first rocket" said .Icsscs
father. All tho family were watching
now.
There's cried Jesse "smll
we send tip mine nowf'
mo; 'd walt little" said his IN.
thcr. "Wait I'LL they stop awhile"
One after another the beautiful
THINGS shot brightly up. and Jcssca
heart beat tuniultuously MS he handled
his own one rocket. Then there came
a pause.
Now" said his father. bringing the
matchbox.
They went out in the rond before the
house. and Jesse touched the match 10
the rocket when his father gave the
word. moment more. u sound, u
rush. and the imprisoned splendor es.
capped and fed up. up. star with n
path OF light behind IL. Far nloft and
overhead IL divided and became three
stars, red white aud blue, and these
In turn became showers OF fiery spnrks
which new aud faded
"Ohw breathed Jesse in sigh OF
rapture. lie had never known n 10Y
like this before.
Hes sent his up" cried Arthur. tive
miles away "He sees ours. and he's
sent up lisi'
And then they renewed their owr
display OF 1rcworlss. candles. wheels
flower baskets and all the rest. with
every little while rocket. Every time
be sent rocket up Arthur said:
"Jcssc'll see thatv'
But there was no more answer from
Jesse Ills one rocket had signaled It's
message and was silent. lie sat In his
fathers arms. u happy boy. watching
for one beautiful starry light after an.
other and when Il was all over went
smiling 10 bed, saying:
Wasn't Arthur good 60 give me that
roclSctf'
TWO miles away Arthur also went
smiling 20 bed. but there was one Ut.
tie regret IN his heart lie said 10 him.
self:
II had so many. wish had given
Jesse more Youths Companion.