The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-01

cordirg to his custom, the Declarati ton of Independence. Then he would give them a short and impressive talk on the beauties of freedom, the sacredness of lib srty and the rights of American cit- izens. This done. he issued his order 5 for the day and the children were free to do as they liked for a while. O. course they all had to attend the meet ing ia the opera house and hear the exercises. The town hall was not large enough to hed all those who attended the celebrateon, so t was always held in the opera house. where, by the way, opera had never been given within the memory of man but where lurid meio- drama made occasional appearances throughout the season. The children always enjoyed the ceremonies. for they sat in a bunting draped box and were quite important. They held little flags in their hands and knew just when to wave them, which was whenever papa paused for 8 nom ent. and at the con- clusion they stood up and started off singing 'The Star Spanslsd Banner. of which they had known every word since they could remember.
 Liberty is the birthright of every American citizen" the Judge exclaim- ed Even to the hu,nal 4st. No ma1 need be down trodden, even in this age of trusts and capital aggrandizement. It was not for this that our fathers fought; 1t was not for this that Wash ington and Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson lived and stroye; 1t was not for this that blood was spilled on Lex inston common. or that brave men died at Valley Forge. No, my friends. If this country offers nothing else to the pocr immigrant. it offers freedom; if it stands for anything at all among other nations. 1t stands for liberty; if 1t means anything to the 70 ita it means opportunity. equality ani .ndepend- cnce The spirit of Seventy-six IS not dead. It lives. fellow citizens. 1t must livs in :he heart of every true born American Liberty IS the watchword fre4dom the birthright, and independ- erce the soul of every child born under cur glorious fiagi'
 With this final burst of oratory the Judge turned with an impassloned ges- ture to the huge flag that hung on the stage behind him. Then the audience oh eerad wildly the fife and drum corps burst into the strains of the national anthem, and the Kirov children krew 1t was time fo- them 70 op en their little mouths and sing oh say can you see?' at the tops Of their voices.
 Then the meeting broke up with ev- erybody shaking hands and saying. What a fine speech the Judge made" and Fine orator. Judge Kirby" etc, etc. And all the children rushed home to fire off their cannons and crackers while their mothers made sure that plenty of cotton and sweet oil and ar mica waited in a convenient spot.
 The Kirby children had set off all their crackers and the pinwheels. Ro- man candles and other spectacular ef- fects were locked carefully away, only the Judge knew where. So they had nothing particular to do until dinner time, which was o'clock. when a great feast was always served to celebrate the day The younger children ali made for the cool back yard when they reached home and climbed up into their favorite big apple tree. which accom- modated them all and still had room to spare.
 Why Is It." propounded Teddy. the solemn one, that speeches always sound fine, but you can never do it?''
 In spite of his doubtful construction the others understood him.
 T think so. too." burst in Bobby who was years old. It's all very well to say we are free, but we can't even take another doughnut without asking somebody"
 what was the good of Patrick Henry and Valley Forge and every thing when we can't go in the Deans's yacht and papa makes us go to bed at s o'clock?"
 Frank. with the wisdom of Is years, sniffed at his younger brothers.
 Liberty isn't what 1t used to be; then you could get up in church like Patrick Henry and make a speech, or cross the Delaware, like Washington or"
 "Or fire cNnrons like Molly Pitcher, broke in little Amy, who did not want to see her sex negl ected.
 But you can't do it now" went on Frank. not at all disturbed "at any rate when you belong to this family. Fancy anybody detying father"
 The patriots def1ed King George" stoutly maintained Teddy.
 Yes" replied his elder brother, out they didn't have to look at him while they lid it.
 Well. I think we ought to have the spirit of Seventy-six and do what we like. That's what ne said this morn ing"
 Ethel, sitting on the grass under a nearby tree. heard them and looked up from the letter she was reading for about the tenth time that day It was from Chester Dsan, and when she fip- ished it again and listened to the chil- dren's chatter S look of determination settled on her pretty face. She rose