“And the one you proposed covered Schwarmer very neatly, I noticed,” laughed the President, “but I don’t remember the exact wording.”
“It was not reduced to legal form but the idea was to prohibit the sale and giving away of all the dangerous Independence Day Fireworks,” said Dr. Normander.
“That will help, and we will have it put in legal phrase and made ready for use without delay; for I begin to think that Schwarmer is not to be trusted in this matter. He may need as many as two or three chains to hold him, that is, unless some sort of miraculous conversion overtakes him. You know miracles do happen now and then, Doctor, and I am rather expecting one from The Woman’s Educational or Missionary Department before the next Independence Day begins,” laughed the President. “There is no greater pest to society than a millionaire idiot, and there is no better way to get him to use his money rightly than to hand him over to the best women of society.”
“One more question before we are arrested, or arrest ourselves,” laughed Ruth.
“Can a law be made to prohibit Schwarmer or his guests from showering rockets on the town?”
“After he is through with the arresting business, we will see about the showering,” replied the President. “I fancy he will not be so much enamored after that, with fiery showers as with those of a gentler kind, and really I don’t know as any laws could be made to prevent a man from having fireworks on his own premises, but he could be arrested for damages to the property or persons of others.”
“But we want him arrested from doing damages and burning up money,” said Ruth.
“Then I believe you women will have to do it,” laughed the President. “The law isn’t premature enough. However if you fail I will study it up and see what it will do. I think the way is being prepared on the banks of the Hudson, by the Yale graduate who is dying at the house of a millionaire, from an injury received by a flying rocket.”