Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1905-06-30
Home Made TOrpedO0s.

- Ohm HANCOCK GREENE was
III years old and had grievance. HIS
W sister, Mariannina, was halt-past ..
It was Fourth of July, and all the other
bows had frecrackers, but Johnny had
none.
But though there were no firecrackers,
there were SIX packages of torpedoes that
Uncle Joey had bought for him and MARI
annina. At first Johnny said he would
take but one package; torpedoes were
only for girls. anyhow. Like a martyr
he singled out the smallest bag, and
put five into his sisters pinafore. Sadly
the two went out into the back yard.
Wen take turns out o mine first,
Ninny," said he. First | frow, den
you.
"P'r'aps. after all. we'd better keep
the bags all sep'rate," Johnny went on
TO say. II take half the bags, and you
take half"
But even with this careful manage
ment the torpcdoes were soon gone.
Suddenly Mariannina had an idea. She
picked up the torn cover of one of the
exploded torpeloes 1t was common
white tissue paper. She examined its
contents. The torpedoes seemed to be
made of sand and salt and things.
Johnny" chried she, "supposing we
make some torpedoes."
81 don't believe deyll torpedo an
awered Johnny, gloomily.
1--WE can't tell till we try" said Ninny.
ave got plenty of tissue paper that
came in the box with my beautiful wax
doll"
ooh. yes" said Johnny; "but what's
de stufting made off,
''What should you think it wasp ask
ed Ninny.
Looks like sand and gravel" replied
Johnny. But sand hasn't got any fire
bang to it. cause I've frowed it ever so
many times
perhaps red pepper would help" sug-
gested Ninny. Anyway, I'm going to
get some
You'd better get bofe kinds of pep
per-" cried Johnny, as Mariannina ran
into the house.
Ninny soon returned with spice box,
scissors and tissue paper.
Ninny cut and Johnny mixed. Both
children began to sneeze.
"Supposjng it went off wiz a bang
while l was mixing it, said prudent
John Hancock. He turned his head and
mixed at long range.
First We'll twist up two, just to try"
said Ninny.
But just as they had finished the two,
a curly head appeared above the high
fence The head belonged to Angelina
Thurston; the children knew very well
that she was standing on the rain bar
rel.
What you doin'?" she called.
ooh, just making torpedoes,' answered
Johnny.
"Gi'-gi ne one?"
Il couldn't exactly give 'em away"
responded Johnny.
Pooh" said Angelina. Il don't be-
heve they're any good, anyhow"
Don't lets fire off any till she's gone
whispered Mirannnina. cause if any
thing should happen that they wouldn't
be good, she'd laugh at us. Let's make
more
Soon there was a fine large pile of
beautifully formed torpedoes, looking for
all the world like those you buy in the
store.
Now then" said Nariannina, her
cheeks red with excitement, Tets try
'em. You try first"
She held her breath. and had her fin |
gers ready to stop her ears. Johnny |
ghtened himself took aim and furi- |
ouSIy hurled one Of the largest torpedoes |
against the stone. Alas and alas! 1t
fell as noise,essiy as snowflake.
lit doesn't torpedo" said Johnny |
piaintiyely.
He tried another, and another. with |
the same result. Those plump and beau
tiful torpcdoes, half filling the little cart
were-failures!
Mariaunina wept. But the dinner
bell rang and they went in.
Now all this time Uncle Joey. hidden
behind the library blinds had been
chucNing quietly to himself Still smil-
fng, Uncle Joey opened the door of the
library closet. On the top shelf were
two packages of torpedoes. intended as
= pleasant surprise Uncle Joey slipped
cut into the yard and put them in place
of the torpedoes the children had made
After dinner the children went again
Aato the shady yard. The little cart
with its little load of torpedoes was still
there John Hancock picked up a tor
peio, sighed, and let it fall. Bang, To
his immense surprise that torpedo was Il
success, He tried another, and another.
Oh, joy!
Then appeared Angelina on the rain
barrel.
See our torpedoes?' cried Johnny.
Smell EN-? Hear emp" And he threw
three together.
Il say, will you give me a cents
WORTH" asked Angelina.
She tossed down a cent, while Johnny,
standing on soap box. gave her Eve tor
Dedoes.