The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-01

white. blue, green and yellow gens' flaming rockets tore upward with q hissing sound. fire balloons went sail ing gracefully across the dark, sky, red fire burned in the gravel walks cast picturesque glow over the whole scene, and a chorus of delighted and elongat- ed "A-a-a-h-h-hs rose from the crowd as each new stunning effect was dis played to their dazzling eyes The children were in an ecstacy of joy and excitement. The spirit of Seventy-six was forgotten and they were living in an enchanted world of whizzing lights, red fire and showers of coiored gems.
 Suddenly, no one ever understood how 1t happened. a rocket came whirl- ing over the lawn from the opposite di- rection. Sparks dropped from 1t into box of unused cannon crackers, rock cts and the like and there followed deafening explosion. The air was sud- denly filled with smoke and the fright ened cries of the children. Most of the spectators had been seated on one side of the spacious lawn, while the Judge stood near the house and aimed the rockets over the garden where they could do no damage. The intrudins firebrand had evidently come from some careless passerby in the street. There was a sudden rush toward the porch when the smoke cleared. They found the Judge lying unconscious with the blood streaming from a wound in his forehead. Some ran for water. others for stimulants, still others for a doctor. One young man dashed out of the crowd suddenly. crying. Here carrying him out. quick; don't you see the house Is on fire!"
 Almost by himself he dragged the elder man to a place of safety on the lawn, where willing hands minlstered to him, and then dashed back to the house. where he was soon seen up on the porch roof with the garden hose, directing at the same time bucket brigade.
 That part of the porch roof under which the Judgo had lain fell in and the room where the stray rocket had entered was pretty badly burned, but after little the flames were worsted
 The excited crowd was divided be- tween watching the fire and lowering over the Judge. The children were in solitary confinement since dinner time knalt on the grass with her fath- CTS head in her lap.
 Just a bad knock, that's all,' said the doctor. who arrived in few mo- ments. He will be all right pretty l soon"
 Presently the Judge opened his eyes. The nTSL tHink lC say W1o NtAe eA~~-NNS | corner of the house.
 "Ethefs room." he gasped. struggling | to rise. and I locked her in" Then | before he could say any more he lapsed | into inconsistencies. |
 When he came to 1t was several | hours later. He was in his owr bed, | with only Aunt Emma and the doctor | at hand.
 "Ethel?' he whispered faintly.
 Here, father" said his eldest daugh- | ter. gently, as she came in from the next room. where she was sitting | weeping softly, with her head on Ches- l ter's shoulder.
 He looked at her wonderingly.
 T wasn't in the room. father" she | whispered kneeling down by the oed q had run away. I went to meet
 She paused. but her father nodded. | and she went on.
 '"ro meet Chester, and we came back | when we heard the nose. fIe-he help" | ed you some. father. and he put out the | fire He--"
 Bring hin in." said the Judge.
 Ethel blushed and stepped to the door. In an instant she returned with n vounz man whose hand was bound | np-
 Just q barn." he said to the Judsc who looked at that first
 The orator of the day looked at the young mans eager face.
 Its all right. my boy" he sa'd' Take her"
 Ethel buried her happy face in the bedclothcs as she knelt by her fath CTS side. and Chester bent over 10 take the hand offered him. An unusual look came into the Judges face, and the young man had to lean over to catch the whispered words, When I think of what might have happ-ned!
 Then the doctor came In again ana sent them all of to bed.
 He will be all right in a day oI two" he said reassuringly. Just a little rest and quiet. He's good for many another Fourth of July speech yet. Hope they'll all be as successful as today's was.
 The Judge smiled sleepily and turned cn the pillow.
 "Tell the children they can have the rufnea pigs" he said. 1906, by Ruby Douglas) |
 1MOurnful."
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