"There isn't anything about it that is apt to increase the number of a boy's fingers; but there is something about it that makes it a good time for a boy to get rid of any extra or superfluous fingers he may have. Bursting cannon and big fire-crackers are very serious things for fingers."
"Well, I haven't any fingers that I want to get rid of," said Tommy.
"Of course you know what the Fourth of July commemorates?" remarked Aunt Mary.
"The signing of the Declaration of Independence," answered Tommy, promptly.
"Yes. Now suppose it had been signed the 15th of January, what sort of a Fourth of July do you suppose that would have made?"
"Too cold—snow would put out the fire-crackers," replied Tommy.
"Just what Thomas Jefferson said," returned Aunt Mary. "Charles Carroll of Carrollton wanted to sign it on the 15th of January, but Jefferson said, 'That's no time for fire-crackers. The snow will make 'em sputter and go out. We owe something to posterity.'"
"Now, Aunt Mary," broke in Tommy, "I believe you—"
"Listen," went on Aunt Mary. "Listen, and learn about history. 'I think it will do well enough,' said Charles Carroll of Carrollton. 'Fire-crackers are dangerous things. Let posterity go sleigh-riding on the glorious 15th of January, and make a noise by cracking the whip. Besides, Thomas A. Edison will soon invent snow-proof fire-crackers.'"
"Aunt Mary—"