Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1911-10-12
An Old Time
Fourth
A Story For independence
Day
By ESTHER B. HAWTHORNE
Copyright By American Press Asso-
alton. 1911.

about the grounds of a country house;
porch reading newspaper The
children were looking forward TO the
morrow - the anniversary of American
Independence. Finally they gathered
in knot. discussing with evident in
tprrst some ito them important prob
lem. casting occasional glnnces Mt the
old man on the porch.
'YOu ask him Lucy" said one or
The boys to girl OF seven. Hell do
anything for you"
Yes chimed In the others. Lucy
* the one TO do It. She'll get mora
than any Of us
l.nry thus urged. started for the
porch, evidently losing courage "a shr
proceeded, for The nearer she approach
ed the old man the more she seemed
disposed TO hang back
What IS It. Lucy" he asked. took
lug 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. Shr was going away
without word when he asked
Don't you think | 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 10 how they should the next
day burn the money they had received.
after which one or 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" be re
piled. Your sending Lucy to me took
me back 10 when | was kid and my
brothers and sisters sent me on sim
liar errand 10 my father"
did you have as good times on the
Fourth then as we have now. grand
pa7" asked one OF the boys.
Pm inclined 10 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,"
rhe children gathered round. some
sitting IN wicker chairs. some on the
steps, while Lucy perched herself on
the arm " grandpas rocker When
they were NIL comfortably settled he
continued
I'VE always had professions in those
days. and In our professions we had
something that w. don't have now
several carnage loads ut white headed
old men whn had fought in the war
that brought about the Independence
we are 10 celebrate tomorrow. | re-
member Just how they looked and
WITH what venerariun 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 MOI these survivors OF rhe Revo.
tuition 20 erp us N touch with the
great struggle winch evolved ma
ton
we children usually took part in
the professions the Toys marching as
soldiers, The Girls making up groups
on floats decorated with flowers | re-
member marching myself with dozen
boys. all OF lis IN white shirts and
white duck trousers. drawing a little
cnnnon. one ~ the boys marched at
our head hearing alnfi the stars and
stripes When we were tired we turn.
ed mt OF the line our standard bear
er loi being notified went proudly
on with the flag till laughter among
the spectators caused him To- look he
mind him. when he discovered that he
was marching alone When he re.
Joined as he was the maddest boy
ever saw
In that procession we marched be
mind a hay wagon that Ind been lifted
up for float II was covered with
white sheets and both the body and
the wheels decorated with flowers
while the harness was covered with
protuS,on OF red white and blue
rosettes and streamers I'm the center
ON % raised daiS stood girl perSouat.
iul the Go, less OF Liberty The rest
ot rhr wagon was covered with little
girls from six 10 twelve or thirteen
yrurS olt was one OF TWO front
boys who held the rope attached 10
our cannon, aud noticed especially
one OF the girls on the rear of the doat.
Her golden hair hung over her shoul
,lrrs. aud Ter eyes were great bis blue
1urs J Straightway picked her ont 60
tam in love with
Have any OF YOU boys ever been ID
nvcs"
lhrre was 90 reply TO this. and the
-prBkrr continued
a nys love. as / remember it. is
very FUNNY He is seized with a de
sire 10 show OF before the girl Ia
whom be is attracted When ! saw
he girl on the ioat looking at me
walked as II was stepping on springs,
holding my head up in the dir as
though was mighty proud of myself |
must have marched an hour behind |
he hoat on whish the blue eyed girl ,