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 day of it . At nine the races began , and both green banks of the stream were lined with gay groups eagerly watching `` our boys '' as they swept by in wherries , paddled in canoes , or splashed and tumbled in and out of their tubs amid shouts of laughter from the spectators . The older fellows did the scientific , and their prizes were duly awarded by the judges . But our young party had their share of fun , and Fred and Herbert , who were chums in everything , won the race for the little flag yearly given to the lads for any success on the river . Then the weary heroes loaded the big dory with a cargo of girls , and with the banner blowing gayly in the wind , rowed away to the wide meadow , where seven oaks cast shade enough to shelter a large picnic . And a large one they had , for the mammas took kindly to the children 's suggestion , agreeing to club together in a social lunch , each contributing her stores , her family , and her guests , all being happy together in the free and easy way so pleasant and possible in summer weather . A merry company they were , and it was a comfortable sight to see the tired fathers lying in the shade , while the housewives forgot their cares for a day , the young folks made table-setting and dishwashing a joke by doing it together , and the children frolicked to their hearts ' content . Even the babies were trundled to the party by proud mammas and took naps in their carriages , or held receptions for admiring friends and neighbors with infantile dignity . A social , sensible time , and when sunset came all turned homeward to make ready for the evening festivities . It was vaguely rumored that the pretty rustic bridge was to be illuminated , for the older people had taken up the idea and had their surprises ready as well as the young folks . A band was stationed by the river-side , a pretty villa on the hill blazed out with lines of light , and elms and apple-trees bore red and golden lanterns , like glorified fruit .
The clerk of the weather was evidently interested in this novel entertainment , for the XXXXX was windless , dark , and cool , so the arch of light that spanned the shadowy river shone splendidly .
America Fourth Fred Hall Horribles Ode day evening merry-making night