Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

blue Ddchetor buttons. Al each plate Wds
| q pretty favor N ths<snape OF huge REQ
where's Ethel.. asked the Judge
| But just then she slipped In rather
hreathleesly, and with considerably more
color than usual in her cheeks.
| II was just thinking over your speech.
| father" she said ns she took her pace
so were we," chimed In the others.
| Bobby the bold, encouraged by look of
l interest from the head of the table, and
warmed to his work by goodiy helping Of
| chicken frfcasse, spoke out.
Yes; we've decided that were freeborn
| American citizens. and we're going to do
| Just what we like!
Teddy gasped inwardly at this announce
ment but valiantly backed up his brother.
IF this country stands for liberty, am
going to get some guinea pigs tomorrow
I've always wanted some. and know q
| boy who will swap me two for my skates
And Pm going to see Fanny Dean to-
morrow: she has doll that can talk" an
nornced little Amy. fired with righteous
rebellion against the paternal yoke
| Anything elseg asked their fatner, IN
| tone that should have warned the young
| patriots.
Freedom is our birthright." they chanted
| in unison. You said So.
Yes l did; but liberty Is one thing and
| license is another 1 know what is good
| for you. You will not visit the Deans; you
will not have any guinea-pigs. and every
| thing will go on just as before.
The spirit of Seventy-six melted and Wit
ed and faded utterly away. The five chill
| dren ate their bread and gravy without
| more ado 1t was what they expected, ana
really they didn't mind much Besides, the
! ice cream was coming pretty soon. ana thsy
didn't want papa TO get angry befofe taae
happened. Ethel. alone, sat with her DIN
ner scarcely tasted.
We'll, Ethel?" queried the judge
Whats the declaration"
IT believe In personal liberty, father"
she began.
quite right when person has the sense
i - w. 1eyn
And your speech this morning inspired
me to do what l have lacked courage to
do for long time.
II am glad to hear you are braelng up!
Courage is the quality above all olners
want my children to have
You wouldn't want us to be slaves,
would you, father? Bound to obey an I'M
reasonable tyrant, and without any VIII OF
| our own?"
what nonsense child Certainly not!'
Then It's all right; l was sure you
would feel that way.
What's all right?"
why I decided to act independently this
morning after / heard your speech"
She paused for her courage was ebbing
fas: her fathers cold gray eyes were
fastened on her.
"Well?' he demanded.
so Chester Dean and I were married at
the rectory an hour ago.
WHAT
The children paused open-mouthed at
Ethels magnificent act of independence.
You dared to marry Chester Dean with
out my consent?
II couldn't marry him with it,
Never mind about being funny. I am
your father and no child of mine can act
in such way. Married to Chester Dean.
indeed III have it annulled, 1 won't al
low 1t. It's preposterous. Go TO your room,
and stay there until send for you
Alas for freedom and the spirit of Seven
tysix
The young disciple of Patrick Henry rose.
so strong was the force of habit There
was a smouldering flash in her eye, to be
Sure, but the other will was the stronger.
The bride OF an hour went meekly upstairs
to her room.
The meal finished in a silence that
bcrcered on gloom. Even the red and white
Ice cream served on blue plates faied to
excite the children to conversation. They
spent the afternoon helping the neighbors
make all the noise possible. and their father
shut himself up in the study.
Supper was light and early that night.
Tor the fireworks were to be set off as
soon as the darkness would admit Large
boxes of Roman candles, pinwheels sky
rockets and all the stunning pyrotechnic
novelties in the market had been provided
by the Judge Half the town was there to
see and enjoy. The Hired man fastened up
the set pieces under the judges direction
Huge bombs were hurled high into the air
to burst in shower of red. white blue,
green and yellow gems, flaming rockets
tore upward with kissing sound, fire bal
looms went sailing gracefully across the
dark sky, red fire burned in the gravel
walks cast a picturesque glow over the
whole scene and a chorus of delighted and
elongated "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
whfzzng lights, red fire and showers of col
ored gems.
Suddenly. one ever understood how it
happened, a rocket came whirling ever the
lawn from the opposite direction. Sparks
dropped from 1t into a box of unusued can
non crackers, rockets and the like and
there followed a deafening explosion The
air was suddenly filled with smoke and the
frightened cries of the children Most OF
the spectators had been seated on one side
of the spacions lawn. while the judge stood
near the house and aimed the rockets over
the garden where they could do no dam
age. The intrudtng frebrand had evidently
come from some careless passerby in the
street. There was sudden rush toward
the porch when the smoke cleared. They
found the judge lying unconscious with the
blood streaming from wound in his fore
head Some ran for water, others for slim
ulants, still others for doctor. One young
man dashed out of the crowd suddenly, cry
ing, Here. carry 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 ministered to him, and then
udSIeu DdCh 10 the mouse. where ne was
soon seen up on the porch roof with the
garden hose, directing at the same time q
bucket brigade.
That part of the porch roof under which
the judge 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 between
watching the fire and lowering over the
Judge The children were crying wildly
and Ethel, who had been in solitary con-
fnement since dinner time. knelt the
grass with her fathers head in her lap.
Just a bad knock, that's ALL said the
doctor who arrived in a few moments.
HE will be all right pretty SOON
Presently the judge opened his eyes The
first thing he saw was the blazing corner
of the house.
"Ethers room" he gasped. struggling to
rise, and / locked her lni'' Then before
he could say any more he lapsed into I'M
consciousness.
When he came to 1t was several hours
later. He in his own bed with only
Aunt Emma and the doctor at hand
''Ethel?'' he whispered family.
Here father" said his eldest daughter,
gently, as she came in from the next room.
where she was sitting, weeping softly, with
her head on Chesters shoulder
He looked at her wonderingly.
az wasn't In the room father" she whiS-