The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-07-02
JEssE,s ROCKET.
A story of the Ever Glorious Fourth
of July.

A story of the Ever Glorious Fourth
of July.
A carryall stopped before small red
house on n long, lonely country road,
and little white headed boy ran out
from the woodshed to see who had
come.
"AIay we have drink of water from
your wcll?' asked n lady on the back
seat.
There was a boy In front sitting by
the gentleman who drove. He looked
happy and excited.
whats your namef" he asked when
the little fellow brought n dipper full
Of cold, sparkling water.
Jesse Lee" was The reply.
I'm Arthur Brown, Do you know
what day it isY'
ITS Wednesday," said Jesse.
''It's Fourth of JULY Don't you keep
1t? Haven't you got ilrecrackers and
rockets and thingsY"
"No," said Jesse.
"We're going to my uncle's to stay
all night, and we're carrying all our
fireworks with us. Say, papa. how
far does Uncle Jason live from here?"
1.-TWO miles across lots in that direc.
tion," said his father, pointing west,
"but 1t is five miles around the road"
"Well," said Arthur 'if you 6oI to-
night over that way when it grows
dark you'll see our rockets going up"
"Wcll, I'll look" said Jesse very ear.
nestly.
Papa, | mean TO give Jesse one OF
our rockets. and then when he sees
ours go up he can send up his, and |
shall know he's looking. May 2"
His father nodded, and Arthur drew
Il rocket from his box and handed 1t to
Jesse.
"Now. remember" he called back as
the horses started Off.
Jesse Lee had never seen rocket be-
fore. He laid this one on the table in
the front room and went many times
that day to look at 1t. 1t was mys-
terry and great delight. When his
father came in from moving and saw
the rocket, he said he knew how to
send 1t up, SO Jesse awaited night with
high expectations.
1t 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 rocket lying there upon the table.
Supper was over at last and the work
all done. The sun had gone down, and
Jesse took his place ON the front gate
To watch. He looked west and Won
dered how far two miles would reach.
The dusk gathered, the night came
softly down, and, oh, suddenly far
away, star shot aloft up into the sky
and broke In shower of brightness.
"Thats the first rocket" said Jesse's
father. All the family were watching
| now.
"There's another!" cried Jesse. "Shall
we send up mine nowi"
mo; I'd wait II little" said his IN.
Their. "Wait till they stop awhile"
One after another the beautiful
things shot brightly up, and Jesse'i
heart beat unanimously as he handled
his own one rocket. Then there came
Il pause.
"Now," said his father, bringing the
matchbox.
They went out In the road before the
house, and Jesse touched the match L
the rocket when his father gave the
word. moment more, Il sound, q
rush, and the imprisoned splendor es.
capped and He'd up, up, n star with a
path of light behind It. Far aloft and
| ri, III IaI
stars, red, white and blue, and these
| In turn became showers of fiery sparks
which flew ana faded.
"Ohi" breathed Jesse In sigh Of
rapture. He had never known a 10y
like this before.
Hes sent his upr' cried Arthur, two
miles away. Gle sees ours, and he's
sent up his,'
And then they renewed their own
display OF fireworks, candles, wheels.
flower baskets and all the rest. with
every little while rocket. Every time
he sent a rocket up Arthur said:
"Jessell see THAR,
But there was no more answer from
Jesse. His one rocket had slgnaled It's
message and was silent He sat in his
fathers arms, n happy boy, watching
for one beautiful starry light after an
other and when 1t was all over went
smiling to bed, saying:
Wasn't Arthur good to give me that
rocket"
Two miles away Arthur also went
smiling to bed, but there was one lit
tie regret in his heart. He said to him
self:
II had SO many l wish had given
Ios.c L..