The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-06-16
An Old Time
Fourth
A Story For independence
Day
By ESTHER B. HAWTHORNE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
alton. 1911.

A number of children were playing
about the grounds of a country house:
white headed old man was sitting on
a porch reading 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 girl of seven. He'll do
anything for you"
Yes chimed In the others. Lucy
Is the one 10 do it. 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, Lucyf'' 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 should have a
kiss for that?"
She went to him, put up her lips,
kissed him and ran away to the chill
dren. \ 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-
rested 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 10 when WINS n 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 rs we have now. grand
pa?" asked one of the boys.
I'm inclined to think we had bet
W. tltiltS. " Z were uOt 80 tIlEH
as We are now from that Declaration
OF Independence which But sit down
and III tell you about IT."
fhe children gathered round, some
sitting In wicker chairs, some ON the
steps. while Lucy perched herself on
tie arm of grandpa's rocker. When
they were all com fcr:ably settled he
continued:
We n'wave had professions in those
da3s. and III oar 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 veneralian we regarded
them. Next came he 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 a ma
tion
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. drawing 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 flag till laughter among
the spectators caused him to look be-
hind him, when he discovered that he
was marching alone. When lie re-
Joined us he was the maddest boy
ever saw.
'ln that procession we marched be-
hind hay wagon that had been fitted
up for float 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 raised dais stood IL 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. l straightway picked her out to
fall In love with.
Have any of you boys ever been In
lover
There was no reply to this, and 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 he is attracted When ! saw
the girl on the float looking at me l
walked as If was stepping on springs.
holding my head up in the air as
though / was mighty proud of myself.
I must have marched an hour behind
the float 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-"