176 BRAGGADOCIO.

prove useful; and after a few hours they left
the island, and returned home.

Bessie at first refused to go to Rose Lawn to
see the fireworks; but her father entreated her
to go, and she at last consented.

On the side of the house towards the river,
was a fine, open lawn, with trees here and
there in clumps, and a few scattered single
trees of immense size. Upon the lawn benches
were placed for all the operatives, and their
. families, from the mills. The guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Cramer were seated upon settees on
the large piazza, which exactly matched the
one on the other side of the house.

The evening was delightful. A soft breeze
sprang up, cooling the air, and wafting per-
fumes from the garden over the lawn, while
the stars peeped out one by one among the
rustling trees, and a few lingering birds still
twittered among the branches.

The little party from the brown cottage,
arrived upon the lawn early, and took their
seats upon one of the front benches. Bessie
sat between her father and brother, each of
them holding one of her hands, .and occasion-