The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-07-03
Celebrating The fourth
With An Invalid

Do you remember the story Of the lit
tie boy who was too sick to go to the
circus? He was consoled with an ice
cream elephant and stories Of Africa
and the widest West Herein lies a
valuable hint for those whose duty and
privilege it will be TO make Indepen-
dence Day one Of JOY for the GONZALES
cent or the chronic invalid.
In the first place, such noisy amuse-
ment as hrecrackers and pistol shoot
ing must be kept far away. no matter
how much the sick one, il he be a
child. begs Just TO hear them go on
In the second place, IL is best not TO
tax the weakened brain 20 such an
extent that the day shall be one OF
suffering and pain. With these two
warnings carefully observed. let US see
what we can do 10 make this day the
finest in the year in spite OF every
thing.
With children this is comparatively
easy. Very little children do not yet
know all the old-new Fourth of July
stories. and even the older ones love
to hear OF their favorite heroes. A
breakfast tray covered with bunting,
a vase Of tiny red. white and blue
flowers 10 decorate the table by the
bed, a morning Of story telling or read
be well enough, by soft piano music
and singing of the national songs, a
special treat Of an ice cream eagle.
liberty bell or bust OF the father of his
country. with little red. white and blue
sponge cakes for a garnish, IN the aft
ernOOn. then. after a short nap ard
a light supper, a drive to some quiet
place where he can see a display Of
fireworks. all these will make UP a SUN
Of the utmost delight for any child.
With adults II IS harder to supply per-
Missile amusement Why not. hOwev-
er. plan a special surprise visit-that
,F 1~1~~ ~ fv- roll iva
who has not been admitted for long
time. OF who has been away?
After a quiet morning, with perhaps
little reading by the nurse from some
loved book. the two could spend the
afternoon together. and perhaps the in
valid would be allowed ice cream in
patriotic molds as refreshments. or
even her simple tapioca or tunket might
be nodded TO match her friends cream.
Let the visitor leave about an hour
before supper time. and make this
meal. which should be preceded by a
short nap. an occasion.
Decorate the tray as prettily as pos
sible with the national colors, and
label each article of food with some
ridiculous epithet Let the cup Of
chicken broth masquerade as the Del
aware. and the few dice Of toasted
bread that float on it's surface be Wash
ineton's boats Sacrificing history, which
tells us that there was but one, but salts
flying the appetite). The poached egg
on toast may represent England sur
rounded by the Atlantic ocean and the
pudding could be facetiously suggested
as Indicative Of the befuddled heads of
the Kings HeSstan soldiers on the
night OF the famous battle OF Trenton
Then, after another rest, our invalid
may either be taken TO see the fire
works or may. lying on a couch, listen
to and perhaps join in the patriotic
songs and recitations that will con-
clude the day.
So for both invalids, child and adult,
the day will be a happy one. and, eN-
cept for the unavoidable noise outside.
one without an unpleasant memory 10
mar its pleasure. And by making II
such, he or she who provides Il and
accepts the care and responsibility will
| feel to the utmost the only joy that
counts in the end-that Of giving en-
! joyment to another.