Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-01
Fourth Of July Trials.

Although every patriotic American,
whether man. woman or child, feels called
upon to celebrate the glorious Fourth with
due honor and rejoicing. it is doubtful If
any but the small fry and the fireworks
manufacturers would care to have the cele-
bration prolonged beyond the allotted
twenty-four hours Even that Is rather
more than the average grown-up nerves
and temper can comfortably stand, and
long before the day is over the public gen
orally has begun to wonder why in the
name of common sense Americas Declare
ton OF Independence cannot be commemo-
rated In some. quieter and more rational
fashion.
But 1t is the mothers, as usual, who come
in for most of the attendant trials and
veyations For weeks beforehand their
purses have been depleted of dimes and
nickels and pennies by the clamoring
youngsters, eager to lay in betimes
store of frecrackers. punk, bombs and
fiery serpents, to say nothing of sundry
and dangerous inventions. while their
lives have been made burdensome by
repeated pleadings for permission to let
off just one bunch of firecrackers.
1t is hardly daylight on the eventful
morning when the children, who have
slept with one eye and both ears open,
are busily engaged in lighting the fire
crackers SurreptitiouSly conveyed up
stairs the night before and throwing
them out OF the bedroom window; to the
imminent peril of the unwary citizen
who may happen by.
When there are no more firecrackers
to he had without recourse to the treas
ure box downstairs. attention is given
to the toy pistols, conveniently hldoen
in the bureau, together with dozen or
so boxes of caps. And by this time the
rest of the house having arrived at the
perfectly obvious conclusion that sleep
is out of the question, has unanimously
I&-n1 ny
FOR an hour or two after breakfast
the fun wakes fast and furious, but by
10 or IL o'clock everything has been set
off except the Roman candles and the
red fire both of which are to be re-
served for the evening exhibition. AND
then the clamor begins for nickels where-
with to buy more.
Al short intervals this Is repeated
throughout the day, for time hangs very
heavily on the Fourth, when there is
nothing doing" Somehow Ordinary &C
equations seem decldedly iachins III III, IA,
ferest AT other times one could play pail
or marbles or dolls tea party. BUT not
on the Fourth-dear me, no! Nothins
but fireworks and noise-the more OIL
both the better-wiH serve.
az course after awhile the children get
tired and cross and equally OF course
everybody's nerves being strung up 70
the highest pftch--thefe Is sSheia
endemic of headaches and temper. IL Is
| the universal racket that Is reaily re-
sponsible, though it is usually the not
,.-.athar that gets the blame. incident
alIv accidents more or less serious are
Inevitably bound to occur, ana IL Is IN
the midst of these various annoyances
that the manifold uses or the mother
makes themselves apparent
TT ever a mother needs patience anu
rasourcafulness she needs 1t on the
Eourth when there is friction in the very
air No matter what goes wrong, she
must keep her wits, and above ali she
mnst keep quiet. Scolding does cross
child no good and Tuning does not heip
a wounded one ,,s. +.ka
When accidents occur she must take
infinite pains to conceal the aiaI IL siae
feels, for children are very respons I've
To suggestion, whether or nope OF ue
spair 1t is a good plan TO pc pl epa. 81
with some simple remedies SO Una. Mns 81
Tohnnta comes in minus his eyebrows or
| NiIdred plus a. burned finger there may
he no painful waiting while someooay
rushas to the crowded drug store
soothinr lotion for ordinary burns ana
aooa Temporary dressing for severe ones
p mada by mixing either milk or sweet
20, With lime water. Pour freely over
the injured parts and cover 1mmeoiaee.y
with linen or absorbent cotton SO as 70
exclude air
Rleefiinr wounds, whether made by ex-
nlodfng powder or not, should De nise
washed with clear glycero-tnymoiih e oi
usterine not with water from tne -
Get for this may contain lHpuli.os,
Meanwhile let the doctor be sent TOT anu
the small martyr to freedom pc kept as
quiet as possible, feeling that ne mas
done all. and more than all That uu,S
demands.