YOURS WITH ALL MY HEART 



powder cracker, on Fourth-of-July day, as 

 he tried to snatch the dangerous missile 

 from the car-rail. 



"I didn't put it there, mother!" he 

 groaned, as he saw her agony when they 

 brought him in. "I tried to stop the boys 

 from putting it there, and when I saw the 

 car coming, full of people all clinging to the 

 sides, and the fuse burning short, I thought 

 they would be hurt. Little Gyp was going 

 to grab it ahead of me, but I pulled him 

 back and saved him, 'cause Sissy loves him 

 so, but I, -- I was too late, -- my hand is 

 gone, and you, --you needed my work 

 so, mother!" And the brave boy broke 

 down at thought of his mother's suffering, 

 when he had borne his own pain and misery 

 without a tear. 



The world went its way ; the widow's dark- 

 ened home was forgotten; the wise City- 

 fathers, who had ruled, against popular 

 opinion, that certain importunate venders 

 should disburse cannon-crackers, to their 

 own profit, as safely patriotic for Young 

 America, rested secure in their office and 

 their income, while the wolf crept nearer 

 and nearer one humble doorway. 

 50 



