any festivities of the Fourth. Gathering up all their pyrotechnic
resources, it was found that the club boys could muster a few pin-wheels,
five Roman candles, and a "flower-pot." Most of these had been stored in
the barn, but were now moved out-doors and taken to the shelter of a stout
leafy maple by the side of the lane.

"The rain wont trouble us here," said the president. "Where is Charlie?"

"He has gone to get his fire-works," replied Billy Grimes. "He left them
in the house and it is locked, for his Aunt Stanshy has gone out, and he's
waiting for her, I guess."

"We had better begin, fellers, and he will come soon. The rain is coming,"
said Sid, warned by a big drop that glancing through the branches smote
him on the nose. Pin-wheels, candles, and the other attraction were
pronounced a success, though their discharge was hastened on account of
the thickening rain.

The boys separated, tired and sleepy, sorry to part with the Fourth, and
yet secretly glad that there was such a thing as "bed."

"Whar's Charlie," asked Juggie, as the boys separated. No one knew.
"Good-bye, Charlie!" shouted one after the other, and all hastened to
their homes.

Charlie was where he had been the last twenty minutes, occupying a seat
out in the porch at the back door and waiting for Aunt Stanshy. He had
fallen asleep, so thoroughly tired was this patriotic young American, and
the day for him was ending as it began--in a chair. Aunt Stanshy came at
last, feeling her way through the shadows in the porch and striving to