54 GALA DAV BOOKS.

The boys were absolutely bankrupt, with
no prospect of better circumstances and
no fireworks for the annual celebration.
Think of a Fourth of July without one
skyrocket on its horizon! Think of an
Independence Day without the noise of
gunpowder! The boys were appalled at
the prospect. Cottonville would appear
like a place in some foreign kingdom.
Uncle Sam would seem to be forgotten,
and for once the American eagle would
fail to flap and screech in honor of the
day.

Poor little men! They sat in a dismal
row, and wished that the strike had been
postponed until after the Fourth had been
appropriately celebrated. It is difficult
to feel independent with empty pockets.

Philip Kelsey was the only boy in the
town who was able to buy fireworks. He
was the son of the much-condemned cap- .