BY HAYDEN CARRUTH.
I.
From Willie's Sister to Willie's Mother.
Washingtonville, July 4.
MY DEAREST MAMMA,—Something awful has happened. Willie has been burned pretty nearly all over, I guess. You know, this is the Fourth of July, and we have had such a time! You can't know how nervous I am, and I hope you will never go away again and leave me to look after Willie when there is going to be a Fourth of July. He simply would not mind one thing I said to him, just because he is a year and a half older than I am—the idea!—when he knows I have better judgment than he has. Boys never have any judgment, anyhow, on Fourth of July—that's been my experience. Why, Willie's judgment was worse than Carlo's—he knew enough to be scared, and Willie didn't. The poor dog just sat in the wood-shed all day and barked, and to-night he is so hoarse that I am going to put a flannel around his neck. And poor darling Miss Mouser, I don't know where she is. I would be very much alarmed about her if I hadn't seen two big yellow lights under the barn, which I hope and trust were her eyes.
Of course Aunt Lou helped me to look after Willie a good deal, but I'm very sorry to tell you that he didn't always mind her. As for papa, I think he was 'most as bad as Willie. Not that he let off fire-crackers in his hat, or had any horrid fireworks go off in his pocket, but he would just let Willie go on awfully, and never say a word to him. But he was frightened when Willie got burned. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about that. I don't know how it happened hardly, but there was a lot of boys and a bushel of fire-crackers and torpedoes and fireworks and everything, and it all went off together, and Willie was right down in it. I was dreadfully frightened, and Aunt Lou screamed, and Carlo barked, and papa just took Willie by the collar and lifted him right out. We had two doctors. Harry Austin got burned too, half an hour later, but I believe they had only one doctor. I must stop and go and look after Miss Mouser.
Ever your loving little Mollie.
II.
From Willie's Aunt Lou to Willie's Mother.
Washingtonville, July 4.
My Dear Sister,—I fear I cannot hold a pen to write, I am so nervous after all we have gone through with to-day. Willie began to celebrate at three o'clock this morning, and did not pause till five this afternoon, when there came near being a terrible accident. I do not know how it came about, but he was considerably, though not seriously, burned. I had been scolding him all day for his noise, but when he was brought in you may be sure I forgave him all. Poor little darling, I fear it hurt him a good deal. He is in the large bed, with three pillows, and I have been with him until just now. I must close, as he is asking for matches, and I must see that he does not get them. Do not be alarmed, as we shall take the best care of him. Both Dr. Barlow and Dr. Strowbridge say that in a day or two he will be well. There! he must have got the matches, as a fire-cracker has gone off under the bed. I must stop. The boy will drive me mad.