Smyrna times., 1911-07-12
AnOld Time
Fourth
A Story For independence
Day
By ESTHER B. HAWTHORNE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
alton, 1911.

a uumDSF Oh were pay lhS |
about the grounds of country house;
white headed old man was sitting on
a porch reading a newspaper. The
children were looking forward to the
morrOw-the anniversary of American
independence. Finally they gathered
In a knot, discussing with evident in
terest some Ito them important prob
lem. casting occasional glances at the
old man on the porch
You ask him, Lucy" said one OF
the boys to a girl of seven. He'll do
anything for you"
Yes" chimed in the others, Lucy |
is the one to do it, She'll get more |
than any of us"
Lucy, thus urged. started for the !
porch, evidently losing courage as she
| proceeded, for the nearer she approach
ed the old man the more she seemed
disposed to hang back.
What is it. Lucy?" he asked. look
| ing aside at her from the newspaper
please. grandpa. won't you give US
some money for the Fourth of July"
Grandpa put his hand in his pocket,
drew forth several silver coins and
gave them to her. She was going away
without a word when he asked:
Don't you think l should have a
kiss for that?"
She went to him, put up her lips,
kissed him and ran away to the chill
dren. A consultation took place among
them as to how they should the next
day burn the money they had received,
after which one OF the older ones sug-
gested that they thank grandpa for the
gift. So they moved in a body to the
porch. and their spokesman offered the
thanks.
You're welcome. children" he re
piled. Your sending Lucy to me took
me back to when | was a kid and my
brothers and sisters sent me on sim
liar errand to my father"
Ibid you have as good times on the
= Fourth then as we have now. grand
pa?" asked one of the boys.
I'm inclined to think we had bet
ter times. We were not so far ther
as we are now from that Declaration
and I'll tell you about it."
The children gathered round, some
sitting in wicker chairs. some on th'
steps, while Lucy perched herself ol
the arm of grandpa's rocker. Whel
they were all comfortably settled b
continued:
1--WE always had professions in thos
fn
something that we don't have now
several carriage loads of white heade
old men who had fought in the wa
that brought about the independents
we are to celebrate tomorrow. | n
member just how they looked an
with what veneration we regarde
them. Next came the veterans Of tt
war of 1912. There were more {
them, and they were younger than IL
Revolutionary soldiers. But today "
have not these survivors of the Rev
luton to keep US in touch with Il
great struggle which evolved a n
ton.
I'VE children usually took part
the professions. the boys marching
soldiers. the girls making up grou
on floats decorated with flowers.
member marching myself with doz
boys, all of us in white shirts al
white duck trousers. drawing a lit
cannon. One Of the boys marched
our head bearing aloft the stars al
stripes. When we were tired we tut
y ed out of the line. Our standard bei
er. not being notified. went proud
2 on with the flag till laughter amo
the spectators caused him to look
= hind him, when he discovered that
z was marching alone. When he
= Joined US he was the maddest boy
a ever saw.
I'm that procession we marched
< hind a hay wagon that had been ut
z mn for a float. 1t was covered W
white sheets and both the body
the wheels decorated with fow'
while the harness was covered wit
profusion of red. white and b
rosettes and streamers. In the Ger
4 on a raised dais stood a girl person
q ing the Goddess Of Liberty. The
of the wagon was covered with Ii
q girls from six to twelve or thirt
wears old. l was one of two fl
boys who held the rope attached
a our cannon, and / noticed especi
q one of the girls on the rear of the Fl
Her golden hair hung over her sh
a ders, and her eyes were great big
ones. straightway picked her ou
fall in love with.
"Have any of you boys ever bee
love%
There was no reply to this, ana
speaker continued:
"a boys love, as | remember !
very funny. He is seized with
sire to show Off before the gil
whom .he is attracted When
the girl on The float looking at
walked as If was stepping on spr
holding my head up in the all
> sho,,ob I xvas mighty proud of my