Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1896 — Recollections of July 4, 1770. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Recollections of July 4, 1770.

Little Tee Whew's Fourth. “How many Angers has my boy?” Asked his mother of Little Tee Wbew; “Eight,’.’ she cried, as he spread them wide; “Of thumbs, dear me, you have only two! Do be careful of them to-day!” As Tom ran off, to himself he said: “What notions mamma gets into her bead.’’ The day began—the Fourth, you know— Bells to ring and whistles to blow. Tom, with Billy and Sam Carew, Showed why they ealled him “Little Tee Whew.” In the very thick of the fizz and noise Tom was the busiest one of the boys; But now and then, in the bang and smoke. He’d think of the words his mother spoke. Then he’d gravely count his finger tips, To make quite sure there were eight, not six. “When one’s so busy,” said Little Tee Whew, “It is almost more than a boy can do To count eight Angers—and thumbs—one—two.” The toy pistol banged, with a flash and sneeze, “Just one nice little finger, please.” “No,” said Tom; “mamma did say: ‘Don'tbreak, nor burn, nor blow one awayl’ ” Down fell a match and set on Are Tom's torpedoes, with hot desire For one fat thumb—but Tom was stout In saying: “No, you must go without.” At last, when the rockets blazed at night. He fell from the wall, find half In fright, He counted over his precious store Of fingers eight, and thumbs, once more. When he crept to bed in his nightgown small And turned his face to the nursery wall. He sleepily murmured: “It seems to me Boys don't need more than two or three; Dear, dear!” And he fell asleep with the sigh: “I’mnot going to count next Fourth o’ July!” But his mother said, as she smoothed his hair: “I’m glad my Little Tee Whew’s all there!” —The Nursery.