Norwich bulletin., 1912-07-13
Sammy's Safe and Sane Fourth

(Written Specially for the Bulletin
 'tYes said Sammy's grandmother they say we are to have a safe and sane Fourth of July, whatever that may mean, and l want to go to the picnic and meet the folks, and the Deacon wants to go, teo, though he claims it's the speeches he wants to hear. I've noticed the men folks do as much visiting at such places as the women do. But there's sammy to be considered. His grandfather has bought him some fire crackers. and punk and other things, to celebrate with. and you know they will not al- low them at the picnic Sammy wants to stay at home and let us go with out him. Yes, I don't want to go to the picnic, No fun therel" interrupt ed Sammy who happened along in time to hear the last remark.
 Well, after all the trouble you made at the donation party" replied his grandmother, T am not sure I want you to go, but I am afraid to leave you at home with all those fire crackers" !" "Jabez will be here" pleaded sam my" and I'll be careful"
 "Ja5ez," sneered his Erandmother. he's as carless as you are any day. No, l don't see how the Deacon and can go to the picnis at all."
 Now I'll tell you how we'll fix it." replied her neighbor, Mrs. Hewitt, who had dropped in for a friendly chat
 My husband and l are going to the picnic, but l shall not enjoy myself at all unless you go, for you know we 1 always depend on each other for com pany. My boys are like Sammy; they prefer staying at home with their fire crackers. Aunt Miranda will be at home, and she will look after them. Let Sammy come over and spend the | day with them. They are going to take their fireworks over to the ledge | of rocks beyond the pasture, and Aunt Miranda will give them some | thing for a picnic of their own.
 shall not worry about them at all You | just send Sammy over and they will | all have a fine time, and you go to the picnic and enjoy yourself for the day" On, Grandma, that's bully!" ex- claimed Sammy, Do let me go, won't you2 You know Grandpa wants to go
 to the picnic and we ought to consider
 him and not be selfish, Jabez says Granopas getting to be an old man. l and may not live till another Fourth, | We ought to remember that"
 Two words for yourself and one
 for your grandfather" sniffed the old
 lady, but at last, she yielded a | grudging consent to Miss Hewitts plan, and agreed to go to the picnic
 and let Sammy come over for the day
 with the Hewitt boys.
 | When the eventful day arrived
 Sammy was despatched with many in-
 functions as to behavior, and many
 promises on his part to be careful and
 make no trouble for Aunt Miranda
 Sammy carried in a pail a generous | contribution to the expected treat 1 promised to the boys, while his pockets
 bulged out with fire crackers and punk and matches for their patriotic
 celebration. Among the rest was 6 l piece of old lead pipe well hammered l into shape for cannon, and cork
 with which to stop one end of it.
 This last bit of armament was un-
 known to his grandparents although l Jabez might have been able to tel something of 1t. That worthy stood 1T the barn doorway and watched the boz
 crossing the fields to his destination
 and with a grin on his face, remark
 ed to himself that he should like to bt | around when that cannon went off
 finishing with his usual conclusion
 Well, boys will be boysl"