Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-07-15
Northboro's Safe and Sane Fourth

(Written Specially for The BHlletinA
The townspeople had decided to have
an old-fashioned safe and sane Fourth,
that should be patriotic and enjoyable,
but without the dangerous features OF
the present fashion. So they voted to
on the streets, no explosives OF any
kind to be allowed. The bells should
ring out their peals of welcome, the
Antiques and Hofribles should parade
IL they liked and the entire popula-
ton was expected to attend a picnic
IN jenkins grove, a mile or so out IN
the suburbs, where the finest speakers
attainable should address the crowd,
after the Declaration of Independence
had been read by Lawyer Pettingill.
There should be patriotic pro-
pramme furnished by the children of
the locality, trained by their school
mistress. Miss Spooner; and the ma
irons should see that the refreshments
We're abundant and properly served.
Yes said one enthusiastic member
of the committee well show them a
real old time celebration, and they will
ali own up that their grandfathers
knew a thing or two, if they didn't all
carry reVoivers in their pockets when
they We're boys"
Grandma Brown expressed herself
as delighted with the arrangements. 81
shall really feel safe about Sammy on
that day. He will have to have the
firecrackers his uncle sent him from
the city, l suppose, but I'll see to it
that he keeps away from the barn
with them, and that's the best [ can
do. Why boys can't be happy without
such noise, / don't see, but l suppose
they are made that way, and can
help it. His grandfather always laughs
and says Boys must be boys Sammy
has, been pretty good since the dona-
ton party. and he must have some
fun, | know. I'm getting to enjoy
having him here, and he makes me
less trouble than he did,
Then the old lady turned her
thoughts to the various dainties she
was to prepare for the picnic, for she
was q famous cook and noted for her
skill in that line. 1t has been truly
said that no one can surpass the New
England housewife in fine cookery
evolved from the contents Of the flour
barrel. and the Northboro matrons
were no exception TO the rule. Good
things to eat and plenty Of lemonade
to drink We're sure to be forthcoming
at the picnic on the national holiday.
The days rolled away all too quick
ly for those responsible for the success
If the programme. but very slowly to
the younger ones who anticipated so
much pleasure from the day. Finally
the eysntful day arrived bright and
clear, following a dry, hot spell of a
week previous. but the grove bordered
a lake, and all looked forward to the
refreshing shade of the trees and the
cool breezes from the water.
While the older people We're busy
with their arrangements Sammy slip
ped off to the village to see the parade
of Antiques and Horribles, which he
greatly enjoyed, and felt, the day to be
well begun. Then returninf, he thought
it was the proper time to enjoy his
firecrackers. He had been told to keep
away from the farm buildings, SO he
betook himself to the edge of the road
outside the fence. The grass there was
very dry from lack of rain, and there
Sammy settled himself with his coli
| lection of firecrackers and punk which
he kept agloW by much putting and
whirling about in the air He was a
| happy boy for a. time, though he view
ed with dismay the rapidly diminish
ing stock of crackers, and knew there
We're no more to be had when they
| were gene. The stick of punk was
growing short, too, and in his zeal at
| the last he held the lighted frecracker