178 BRAGGADOCIO

come to its aid. A boy who thinks he is a
genius, should be very careful not to be of the
rocket kind. Then followed splendid Catha-
rine wheels, with blue, green, and red light.
Beehives, with colored bees, wheat sheaves,
fountains, and rockets with brilliant-colored
stars. And last came the American Eagle,
with its bunch of arrows in one claw, and an
olive branch in the other, E PLURIBUS UNUM in
dazzling letters around it. The shouts of the
spectators were deafening. They hurrahed till
they were hoarse, and slapped their hands till
they smarted, to testify their joy and their
patriotism.

Colored lamps, hung among the trees, were
lighted when the fireworks were over, and
cakes, lemonade, and other refreshments were
handed about upon the lawn. The lights
gleamed brilliantly, and shone upon hundreds
of happy faces.

Mr. Starr and Howard had, from the piazza,
observed Tom and Bessie during the evening,
and now came to have a chat with them.

“Well, Bessie, you seem to have recovered
from the pet you were in the other day,” said