Fireworks are an old story , so let us surprise the town by something regularly splendid , '' proposed Elly , fired in his turn with a bright idea . `` We will ! we will ! '' cried the rest , and at once plunged into the affair with all the ardor of their years . `` Let us dress up , '' said Julia , who liked theatricals . `` In different characters , '' added Maud , thinking how well her long yellow hair would look as a mermaid . `` And all sing as we go under the bridges , '' put in Annie , who adored music . `` What a pity the boats ca n't dance , it would be so lovely to see them waltzing round like fireflies ! '' said Belle , still longing for the ball . `` A lot of fellows are coming up to spend the day with us , and we ought to have some sort of a picnic ; city folks think so much of such things , '' said Herbert the hospitable , for his house and barn were the favorite resorts of all his mates , and three gentle little sisters always came into his plans if possible . `` I 've got two girl cousins coming , and they would like it , I guess . I should any way , for Jack will go tagging after Grace and leave me to take care of them . Let 's have a picnic , by all means , '' said lazy Fred , who thought all girls but one great plagues . `` I should n't wonder if all our people liked that plan , and we might have a town picnic as we did once before . Let every one ask his or her mother , and see if we ca n't do it , '' suggested Annie , eager for a whole day of merry-making . The door-step party was late in breaking up that night ; and if half the plans proposed had been carried out , that town would have been considered a large lunatic asylum . Wiser heads remodelled the wild plans , however , and more skilful hands lent their aid , so that only the possible was attempted , though the older folks had bright ideas as well as the boys and girls , and gave the finishing touches to the affair . The Fourth was a fine day , with a fresh air , cloudless sky , and no dust . The town was early astir , though neither sunrise cannon nor the Antiques and Horribles disturbed the dawn with their clamor . The bells rang merrily , and at eight all flocked to the Town Hall to hear the Declaration of Independence read by the good and great man of the town , whose own wise and noble words go echoing round the world , teaching the same lesson of justice , truth , and courage as that immortal protest .
An Ode by the master of the revels was sung , then every one shouted America with hearty good-will , and before the echoes had fairly died away , the crowd streamed forth to the river-side ; for these energetic people were bound to make a XXXXX of it .
Annie Fred Grace Independence Jack Maud day fireflies merry-making night