The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-28
An Old Time
Fourth
A Story For independence
Day
By ESTHER B. HAWTHORNE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
alton. 1911.


about the grounds of country house
a white beaded old man was sitting OF
porch reading a newspaper. Tht
children were looking forward to the
morrow-the anniversary of American
independence. Finally they gathered
In 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 girl of seven. Hell dc
anything for you"
YES" chimed In the others, Lucy
is the one to do 1t. She'll get more
than any Of u.s."
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 1t. LucyT 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 word when he asked:
Don't you think l should have q
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 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 a sim
liar errand to my father"
Did you have as good times on the
Fourth then as we have now. grand
pa ?" asked one of the boys.
Pm inclined to think we had bet
ter times. We were not SO far then
as we are now from that Declaration
Of Independence which But sit down
and III tell you about It."
The children gathered round. some
sitting In wicker chairs. some on the
steps. while Lucy perched herself on
the arm of grandpa's rocker. When
oil %, r.fo lad hn
continued:
I'VE always had professions In those
days. and In our professions we had
something that we don't have now
several carriage loads of white headed
old men who had fought In the war
that brought about the independence
we are to celebrate tomorrow. | re-
member just how they looked and
with what venerat1on we regarded
them. Next came the veterans of the
war Of 1872. There were more Of
them. and they were younger than the
Revolutionary soldiers But today we
have not these survivors of the Revo-
luton 10 keep US in touch with the
great struggle which evolved ma
ton.
I'VE children usually took part In
the professions. the boys marching as
soldiers. the girls making up groups
on floats decorated with flowers. | re-
member marching myself with dozen
boys. all of US In white shirts and
white duck trousers. ORA wing a little
cannon. One Of the boys marched at
our head bearing aloft the stars and
stripes. When we were tired we turn
ed out of the line Our standard bear
er, not being notified. went proudly
on with the Gag till laughter among
the spectators caused him to look be-
hind him. when be discovered that be
was marching alone. When he re-
Joined us he was the maddest boy
ever saw.
"In that procession we marched be-
hind hay wagon that had been fitted
up for hoat 1t was covered with
white sheets and both the body and
the wheels decorated with flowers.
while the harness was covered with
profusion of red. white and blue
rosettes and streamers. In the center
on a raised dais stood a girl personal
ing the Goddess of Liberty. The rest
Of the wagon was covered with little
girls from six to twelve or thirteen
years old. was one of two front
boys who held the rope attached to
our cannon. and ! noticed especially
one of the girls on the rear of the float
Her golden hair hung over her shout
ders, and her eyes were great big blue
ones. | straightway picked her out to
fall in love with.
"Have any Of you boys ever been in
bve"
There was no reply to this. aud the
speaker continued:
"A boys love, as ] remember 1t. Is
very funny. He is seized with a de-
sire to show Off before the girl TO
whom be is attracted. When ] saw
the girl on the float looking ut me l
walked as II was stepping on springs.
holding my head up In the air as
though was mighty proud Of myself
must have marched an hour behind
the Hoat on which the blue eyed girl
sat. When we left the procession ]
looked back at her. but girls Of her
age are apt to be offish with boys. and
she turned her glance away. sup
posed she had no use for me-"