( corporal punishment in this chapter.)
July, 1899
The ranch
The side door slams open as Ben followed closely by George, rushes inside. Startled, Claire nearly drops the pie she is taking from the oven.
"Ben! You know better than to run in slamming doors! What's gotten into you?" she asks scolding.
"Claire! Guess what we found out!" Ben says almost out of breath C'mon Guess!" George adds.
"You found out we have a new school teacher and school starts tomorrow." Claire says knowing how much the boys dislike any talk of school.
"No of course that's not it. We wouldn't be happy about that!" Ben tells her frowning.
"All right then, I can't guess. What has you two so wound up?"
"There's going to be a Independence Day celebration in town on Saturday! Guess what they're going to have?" Ben asks.
"A horse race, a parade and even a fireworks display!" Ben tells her before she can even attempt to answer his question.
"Claire, can we go? Do you think Papa will let us? I want to see fireworks." George says.
"We'll ask him tonight at supper. We'll probably get to go, but George, I don't know if he'll let us be out at night. That's when they'll have the fireworks and he usually doesn't want us out after dark."
"Please Claire! You can talk him into it. I know you can. I really, really, really want to see fireworks. Joseph told me about the one time you and he saw some in St. Louis. Ben and I want to get to see some too!" George says whining a little.
"Well George, I'll do my best. If you whine and pout or act ugly about it around Uncle Ethan you won't be going. You also might have a problem sitting down if you throw a temper tantrum." Claire warns him.
"Aww, Claire, he wouldn't spank me." George complains.
"Um hmm. Well, think about when you had your stomping, yelling fit over not getting to go with him to town. He told you then, any more behavior like that and he would, remember?" she reminds her youngest brother.
"I just wanted to go. It wasn't fair that Ben got to go and I didn't."
"I didn't go to have fun, George. I had to go have my arm splints taken off and my arm checked. It hurt when Dr. Amy pushed on it. I still have to wear the dumb splints and sling!" Ben tells him.
Friday afternoon – town
After making sure Mitch and his Uncle are busy inside the Sheriff's office, Joseph walks over to the town square. Walking past the gazebo he sees some men draping streamers of red, white and blue cloth around the outside railings. They have an American flag draped in the center of the railing.
When he reaches the far side of the square he sees the men signing up participants for the horse race. "I came to sign up, Sir." Joseph tells one of the men.
"Do you have a horse you wish to enter, young man? If not we can let you be a jockey for another person's horse. There are cash prizes for winning horses and also for the winning rider of those horses. Which will it be young fella?"
"I'd like to ride someone else's horse, sir. I don't have one who can race."
"All right, the race is at 4:00 tomorrow and you need to be here by 3:30 for a practice run. We'll race up the main street to the large oak go around the tree and back to the starting line. The horse with the fastest time wins the prize of twenty dollars! The second place finish wins ten dollars and third place is five dollars!"
"Yes sir. Does it cost anything to enter?" Joseph asks.
"No, anyone over fourteen can enter. Are you ready to sign?"
At Joseph's nod, the man slides the registration sheet across the table. Joseph scrawls his name and slides it back.
"Very well, young Mr. Adams, we'll see you tomorrow."
As Joseph walks away the other man at the table leans over and says "Ted, do you believe that boy is really over fourteen?"
"Don't know Cal, he could be and just be small for his age. What difference does it make anyway? We're here to get bets and the smaller boys pull in more bets."
Independence Day- morning
During breakfast, Ethan reminds the boys, "We're not going to town until late today. It's still a regular day as far as finishing the chores. I have to go into town early but I'll be here in time for all of us to go back together around three o'clock."
Claire says "I'll have our picnic supper all ready by then. We'll be having fried chicken, biscuits, corn on the cob, apple pie, and lemonade to drink."
"That will be fine, Claire. At the square, they're going to be having watermelon already sliced and on ice for everyone and also have ice cream for sale or so I've heard. The women in town have been busy planning surprises. I really don't know what they have planned for today."
Then seeing Ben and George bouncing up and down on their chairs he says "Claire, after the boys finish up their chores this morning, I want them to take a rest. Let's say somewhere by 11:00 they need to lie down until lunch."
"Papa! NO! We don't need naps! We don't want to take a nap and anyway we're way too big for taking naps! Right Ben?" George complains.
Before Ben can answer Ethan says sternly "George, no arguing and no complaining. You're going to be out late tonight and I want you to rest before lunch. Both of you will take that rest or you won't like the consequences!"
"Claire, if you have any trouble with either one of these two taking that rest just let me know." Ethan tells her.
Before he leaves for town and while the boys are outside, Ethan asks "Claire do you have any idea what's gotten into George? He's never behaved like this before. The stomping, yelling, answering back, this defiant behavior, it's not at all like him. Do you think he's getting sick?"
"Well, maybe but I think it's something else." At her Uncle's questioning look she continues. "I really think he's jealous."
"Jealous? What could he be jealous of? The trip we took together?"
"Uncle Ethan, you've been spending a lot of time with Ben. Taking him back and forth to the Doctor's and on little trips with you ever since he broke his arm. I really think George is jealous of all the attention you are giving Ben. George is doing what he can think of to get attention from you." Claire finishes.
"I'll talk to him later today and try to explain why I've been spending extra time with Ben. Right now I have to go to town and check in with the merchants. Some are planning to close up later for the festivities. Others plan to stay open. I need to check to see which ones are closing early."
"Uncle Ethan, I thought you were going to be off tonight. We want to have a family celebration."
"Mitch and I are just going to be watching the closed stores and he's going to be doing his rounds all during the celebration. Claire, it's times like this that bring out the thieves both in the stores and pickpockets. Also we want to keep an eye out for kids trying to get into mischief. I'll still be able to be with you most of the time. I just have to do my job also."
"Yes sir, I understand now. Will you invite Mitch to eat with us? I'll have enough for him too if he wants to come."
"I'll ask him. I know how much he loves your chicken! He probably will come eat with us." Ethan tells her.
Later that afternoon
"Claire, have you seen Joseph?" Ethan asks after he returns from town.
"He said he had to go on in to town early because he promised someone he would help them get things ready for later. When I asked him about it he said it was a surprise and I would find out later today. He didn't ask you about it?
"No, he never mentioned it to me. I'm a little surprised he didn't ask first. I'll just wait and see what the surprise might be before I talk with him about leaving without permission. It seems we have more than one boy misbehaving today. Speaking of misbehaving, did you have any more trouble out of George or Ben today?"
"No, Sir. After you scolded George this morning, they both have been very cooperative. They took a nap from 10:30 to 11:30 and then they helped me pack up the picnic baskets." Claire tells him.
"Where are they now?" Ethan asks.
"They're in the barn playing with the kittens. The last time I checked they were "teaching" the kittens to jump through Joseph's rope. I don't think it was working out to well though! The kittens want to jump at the rope instead of through it!" Claire says laughing.
Walking into the barn, Ethan sees his two youngest boys. He stops where he can listen and watch without the boys knowing he's there. George is sitting on the barn floor holding a kitten in his hands while Ben is sitting on a hay bale holding the circular rope out to the side
"Okay, George, put him through the rope." George puts the kitten through the rope and brings it back to the front of the hay bale.
"Good, now put him down and let's see if he'll jump through the loop." Ben instructs his brother. George puts the kitten down and he jumps into Ben's lap. Sighing, Ben says "This one just can't learn the trick. Maybe one of the girls can do it. Where's the calico kitten, George? She probably can do it."
"Hello boys. How is your kitten school going? Claire told me you were teaching the kittens. Are you teaching them to read?" Ethan can't help but tease the boys.
"Hi, Papa. No we're not having that kind of school." George says giggling.
Ben says "Hi Uncle Ethan. We are trying to teach the kitten to jump through the loop like tigers do in the circus. We saw one in St. Louis one time right before you came to get us. They had a tiger that jumped through a big ring. If a tiger is a big cat then we thought the little cats could do it too."
"They can't do it. We've tried for a long time and the black and white one can't learn it." George says sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that boys. Maybe the kittens just don't want to grow up to be tigers." He says causing both boys to laugh at his silliness.
"Ben, it's time for your pain medicine, go on in and get Claire to fix you a glass of cold milk with the medicine in it. Tell her I said you could have sugar in it."
"Thanks Uncle Ethan. The sugar makes it taste better." Ben says leaving the barn.
After he leaves Ethan says "George, come sit up here in the bottom loft." He lifts the boy up to sit where they are eye to eye. "George, something has been upsetting you and I want you to tell me what it is. You haven't been acting like yourself lately so it makes me think something is bothering you. What can you tell me?"
George says "I'm not bothered. I'm all right, Papa."
"Have you wondered why Ben is getting more trips to town and more attention lately, George?" Ethan asks quietly. When he sees the boy duck his head just a little he knows that Claire's guess was right. George is upset by the extra attention Ben is getting.
"Sometimes I think you like him more than me." George says tearfully.
"George, I have been paying more attention to Ben because he needs it. Remember how much he hurt after he first broke his arm?"
At George's nod he goes on to say "Well, he needs to be watched carefully to make sure he doesn't hurt his arm any more. We also have to watch him to make sure he gets enough medicine but not too much. I've been taking him to town to Dr. Amy so she can check him. I thought you knew this. I'm sorry if you thought I liked doing things with Ben more than you. I enjoy doing things with both of you. I certainly don't like one of you more than the other. I love all of you children. Do you understand better now?"
"Yes sir." George says.
"That's good. Son, I don't want you to act up if you feel angry or upset. I want you to come to me or talk to Joseph or Claire about it. No more temper tantrums, Understand?" Ethan asks him.
"Yes, Papa."
"I think we can go help Claire pack up the wagon and go into town now. Let's go check on Ben and Claire to see if they are ready." He scoops the boy off the loft and carries him piggyback to the house.
In town
Mitch has just watched the end of the practice horse race. One of the riders seems familiar to him despite the cowboy hat the boy is wearing. He walks over near the table where the organizers are sitting. Listening he hears several men come up and place bets on different horses.
"What're the odds on that young fella in the black hat and big shirt? He sits a horse real well. I want to place a bet on him. What's his name?" a man asks.
"Let's see, that young one's name is Adams and his odds are 5 to 1. Not too bad actually. He's got talent. That's not his horse though. He's just jockeying for someone." Cal tells the man.
Listening, Mitch steps up. "Excuse me, gentlemen. Are you aware that taking bets on horse races is illegal in this town? Also, do you have an age limit as to who can participate in any horse race?" As the men seem to be ignoring him, he says "I am Mitch Williams sir. I am the law in this town." Then showing them his badge he says "If you would, please answer my questions or we can arrange a sleepover in the jail cell."
"All right Mr. Williams. The age limit is set at fifteen and older and no we were not aware of the no betting rule. We planned on using the money as prizes."
"The prizes you have listed on this flyer are a total of thirty five dollars. I believe you have already taken in much more than the amount you need for the prizes. Now kindly hand over the rest and I'll donate it to a charity here in town. You may proceed with the race after that."
"Thank you gentlemen." Mitch says as they hand over the money. "This one hundred dollars will be a wonderful gift to the Ladies Aid Society and a nearby orphanage." He walks away from the tables to get a closer look at the horses lined up to race. Looking closely he recognizes "Adams". Walking quickly as the race is about to begin he comes up beside the boy's horse.
"All right Joseph Carroll Cord, get down, right this second!" Mitch says angrily. "Don't even try to pretend you are someone else! GET OFF OF THAT HORSE!"
Eyes wide and looking nervous at Mitch's use of his whole name, Joseph follows his order. Mitch takes him by the arm and walks him back to the table where the two men are sitting.
"Adams here is only twelve so he will NOT be riding today. You will need a replacement." Mitch says seething at the boy's behavior. He is well aware of the many times he and Ethan have talked to Joseph about keeping himself out of trouble.
As Mitch holds his arm and forces him to walk alongside Joseph says, "Mitch, I was just going to ride him. I can you know. You saw me with the brown mare. You know how good I am with horses." He's trying to talk his way out of the trouble he knows he's in.
"What I KNOW young man, is that you entered this race by lying. You are nowhere near fifteen and you must have known you weren't to do it since you used a made up name! Did you also know the men were taking bets on you?" Mitch tells him continuing to march him along towards where Ethan is sitting.
Suddenly realizing exactly where Mitch is taking him Joseph starts to drag his feet while he begs "Mitch, Please! Please don't tell Uncle Ethan. I'm sorry, I really am. If you tell I'll be in so much trouble! Please let it go just this one time. Please, Mitch?"
"No, I can't let it go. You have to accept that you are the one who got yourself into this mess. If you remember, I never did tell Ethan about the fight you boys had when I stayed with you. I also didn't tell him about how you snuck out of the house at night to work with the horse. This time I'm not going to let it go." Mitch tells him.
Way too soon for Joseph's comfort they arrive at the picnic spot where Ethan and the other children are sitting.
"Oh, good you're both here. We were wondering if you could come eat with us Mitch." Claire says smiling.
"I'd like to Claire, thank you for the invitation but first I need to speak to Ethan privately." Mitch responds looking from Ethan to Joseph.
Getting the silent message Ethan stands up. "Let's take a walk Joseph. Claire, you and the boys wait here and we'll have that picnic as soon as we get back." He and Mitch walk off with Joseph beside them.
"Joseph's in big trouble. I wonder what Mitch caught him doing?" Ben says curiously.
"How can you tell he's in trouble?" George asks.
"Because Joseph looked like he wanted to cry and Mitch's eyes looked just like they did when he caught us fighting that time. Really dark and snapping! I'm glad he's not mad at me this time. He almost whipped us that day. I really thought he was going to. He was so mad."
Sheriff's Office
Inside the sheriff's office Mitch has just finished explaining what went on that afternoon with the horse race. "Thank you Mitch for bringing this to my attention. If you don't mind I would like to speak to Joseph privately. We'll join you for the picnic a little later." Mitch gives Joseph a sympathetic look and walks out of the office.
Locking the door behind Mitch, Ethan says "Joseph, come with me." Leading the boy into a back room with no windows and just a table and chairs Ethan says "sit down". Feeling very anxious about what his Uncle has in mind, Joseph sits and waits.
"Joseph, you have done many things wrong this afternoon. I want to hear what you feel they are. Start from leaving the ranch." Ethan says.
"I left home without asking you first. I signed up for a horse race without asking, I didn't tell them how old I was or my real name and I tried to wear a disguise." Joseph says looking at the table.
"Why didn't you ask me if you could enter the race?"
"Because I know you don't like horse races and wouldn't have let me."
"Why didn't you tell the men your name and age?" Ethan asks.
"I didn't want anyone to find out it was me and stop me from racing."
"So you deliberately lied to be able to do something you knew I would not allow you to do. You also attempted to disguise yourself to hide what you were trying to do. Did you know the men would be taking bets on this race?"
Near tears now Joseph answers "Yes sir, I lied, tried to hide and I knew there would be betting." When his Uncle doesn't respond he says "I knew I had a good chance to win. The prize money was twenty dollars for first place. I wanted to see if I could really win it."
"So to do that you put yourself in danger by riding an unknown horse, lied about your name and age and participated in something where you knew gambling was taking place?" Ethan says his voice very quiet and stern.
Trying very hard not to let the tears start Joseph just nods his head. He knows it's never a good sign when his Uncle's voice sounds like that.
"Joseph, I want you to stand up, lower your pants and bend over this table." Ethan says pointing to the end of the table in front of where he is standing.
Losing the battle with the tears, Joseph stands up and walks slowly around to his Uncle. Following his directions he leans over the table. In seconds he feels his Uncle's strong hand smack his backside on his underwear. Thinking to himself "It's been two years since he walloped me with his hand. Gosh, it really hurts! Does he have iron in his hand? Yeow! All right I got it! OW! No lying! Ow! No gambling! Oww! No horse racing! OW! Good he stopped!"
Joseph's good feeling lasts only seconds as he hears the unmistakable sound of a belt being unbuckled.
"Joseph for the lying you get four with the belt." He hears right before he feels the sting. After the four licks Joseph is told to pull up his pants. As he pulls them up he thinks "Those licks weren't nearly as hard as he has done before. I must be tougher now."
"Joseph, I didn't whip you as hard as I sometimes have… Joseph thinks "Good glory! He can read minds now!" because this is not all of your punishment. You are also housebound for two weeks during which you will not be working with or riding any horses. Joseph, this better be the only time you are ever involved in any kind of horse race again! Because if you are I will make sure you do more standing than sitting for several days! Do I make myself clear on this?" Ethan asks sternly.
"Yes Sir. I understand. I won't be doing this ever again." Joseph says.
"Let's go join the rest for that picnic. The boys are probably chomping at the bit to get watermelon and ice cream by now." Ethan says opening the door and ushering Joseph out into the street.
Back at the picnic area, George asks "Claire, can Ben and I go to see the horses? I really want to go. They're lined up over there." He says pointing to the street.
"I think you'd better wait until Uncle Ethan gets back. He said to stay here."
"He's been gone forever! Claire, Please?" George says hopefully.
"No, watch from here." Claire tells him.
Watching they see several wagons rolling down the street. "Look Ben! The horses are wearing hats and the wagons are all decorated for the parade."
"I see George. I like the red, white and blue streamers on that wagon." Ben says pointing.
"BEN! LOOK! That man is throwing candy out on the ground. Let's get it!" Before Claire can grab him George has run out into the street to scoop up candy. He doesn't see the group of horses headed straight at him. The men on horseback haven't seen George either.
"Watch out little boy!" George hears a woman yell. Coming up just as she yells Ethan turns to see George crouched down in the street with the horses nearly to him. Running he gets to the street, grabs the boy and rolls with him out of the way of the horses hooves just before the first horse gets to them.
Getting up he pulls George to his feet. Squatting down beside him he asks "Are you hurt, George? Did the horse step on you? Are you all right?" he asks rapidly not really waiting for an answer. When George nods his head and Ethan can see he really isn't hurt the fear he has been feeling turns to anger.
"GEORGE! What were you thinking? You know better than to run out into the street like that! You could have been badly hurt!" Ethan scolds him while he gives him a slight shake. "What on earth were you thinking?"
"I wanted the candy. The horses could go around me. I had to get the candy that man tossed away." George says.
Hearing this Ethan bends him over his knee and delivers five hard smacks to his backside. "Don't you ever run out in the street like that again. It doesn't matter what someone throws out. You stay away from the street! You know better than to run out into a street without even looking for horses or wagons!"
Ethan leads the crying child back to the rest of the family. Claire grabs George and just holds him rocking him a little. Joseph and Ben are both to shocked by what almost happened to talk. Both are very pale in the face.
"Claire, Papa spanked me and he did it in front of lots of people!" George whispers.
Ethan hearing the 'whisper' says sternly "George, you deserved that punishment! You scared a lot of the people here and almost got yourself badly hurt! They had a right to see your punishment. Most of the time I don't punish you children in public but this time I thought it was necessary. Don't complain any more."
Claire whispers in George's ear "You deserved that spanking or even worse George. You're lucky he didn't decide to whip you with his belt. YOU KNOW BETTER!" George ducks his head and wipes the tears off his face at her scolding.
"All right everyone, let's eat this picnic Claire has fixed for us. After that we'll walk around and see the decorated wagons. We could even get some of the watermelon slices or a dish of ice cream later on. We'll see how well you eat your supper first."
"Isn't Mitch eating with us?" Claire asks.
"He said he'd come by as soon as he finishes checking the stores. I've been telling him to relax today and have fun. He seems on edge today.
"You don't have to tell me that!" Joseph thinks. Then remembering his Uncle's new mind reading ability he quickly checks to see if he caught what he just thought. "No, he didn't. No glare, nor scolding. I'm Ok." He thinks.
Later as they walk around admiring the decorated wagons, Claire says "You know, it would be fun if the children in town could fix up little wagons or carts like this. We could have our own parade. We could even make costumes for some to wear. I know a lot of girls who sew well! Joseph, you could help decorate. Ben, you and George could be dressed up in costumes, oh that would be so cute! George could be George Washington and Ben could be Benjamin Franklin! We'll just have to plan that for next year." She says not seeing the horrified looks on her brother's faces.
"Claire! I don't know how….." is as far as Joseph gets before he feels his Uncle's hand squeezing his shoulder. Looking up he sees Ethan shaking his head 'no'. Taking his Uncle's warning he finishes "you think up these great plans." while rolling his eyes at his Uncle. Ethan grins and rubs Joseph's hair showing he approves and understands.
When Claire has taken the boys over to see another wagon, Joseph asks "Uncle Ethan, how did you know what I was going to say a few minutes ago? I might not have been going to say anything bad and you just thought I was."
"Well Joseph, when you get that certain look on your face and have a complaining tone in what you start to say, it's not hard to guess you are going to be irritable! I didn't want you to hurt Claire by arguing or complaining about her idea." Ethan says watching Joseph's reaction.
"Okay, but I sure hope she forgets this idea by the time next Independence Day comes. That sounds like I would be doing all the work except the sewing!" Joseph complains.
"If she does ask you to help, you will do it politely. It could be worse." Ethan tells him. When Joseph looks at him he says "She could want to dress YOU in a costume too!"
"Oh, please! Please don't suggest that to her!" Joseph groans as Ethan laughs.
About that time they hear what sounds like gunfire from the trees behind the gazebo. "Get Claire and the boys and STAY HERE!" Ethan commands Joseph as he runs for the trees.
Watching, Joseph sees him pull a gun from behind his shirt as he enters the trees. Several minutes later Claire, Joseph and the boys see Mitch and Ethan walk out of the trees. Each of them is holding one of the Anderson twins by the arm. Just by the looks on the men's faces Joseph can see his friends are in big trouble!
"Do you think they fired off some guns?" Ben asks Joseph.
"For their backsides sake I sure hope not!" Joseph answers "Come on Ben, let's get closer so we can hear. They're going towards that shed over there."
Waiting until Mitch and their uncle go inside, Joseph and Ben creep up to just under the shed's window. They can hear Ethan talking. "Playing with firecrackers is a dangerous thing to do! You could have hurt yourselves BADLY! What's more you could have easily started a fire. You both know I've talked to you before about playing with firecrackers, the time you threw some into the street under a passing wagon. I just let your Father handle it that time. If you remember, the last time we talked about your behavior, I told you from now on, Mitch or I would handle your misbehavior and THEN turn you over to your Father."
"Who else was with you in the woods? When I saw you there were three of you. Who left?" Mitch asks.
Neither boy answers so Mitch flips Jason over his lap and begins to warm his backside with smacks as Ethan does the same to Jeff. It only takes four smacks for the boys to talk.
"It was Joseph! " Jeff says and Jason confirms "Yeah, Joseph was the other one."
Under the window Joseph has trouble keeping quiet. Ben opens his mouth to say something and Joseph quickly puts his hand over his brother's mouth. "NO! HUSH! If they hear us then it'll be me and you with a sore backside too!" he whispers in Ben's ear. Ben nods so he takes his hand off as they continue to listen.
"Jason! Jeffrey! I know for a fact Joseph was not anywhere near those woods!" Ethan says his voice deadly. "For lying and trying to get someone else in trouble you have just earned yourself three licks with a belt. I'll make it six if you don't tell me now who the third person was and make it the truth this time!"
Under the window Ben leans over and whispers in Joseph's ear "That's the voice he uses when he's going to give you a whipping!" Joseph nods in agreement.
"Ok! Ok! Don't get so mad! The truth is there wasn't anyone else. We swiped the firecrackers from Mr. Lee's shop and we took them to the woods to light them. If there was someone in the woods we don't know who and they weren't with us." Jason answers. Jeff adds "That's the truth, Mr. Cord. Honest!"
"All right boys, I believe you. Now for the stealing you get three more with the belt. Stand up."
Ben and Joseph hear the boys sobbing and pleading as Mitch and Ethan each deliver the six licks to their 'prisoner.' Then they hear Mitch say "Ethan, I'll escort these two to their parents and meet you at your picnic spot."
"Thank you Mitch and don't forget to mention how the boys came to have the firecrackers. I know their Father would like to know." Ethan replies. The twins groan at this.
Under the window Ben and Joseph decide to run for the trees and then go back to the spot where they left Claire and George. They have just made it back when Ethan comes out of the trees. When he walks up George says "Did you catch the bad guy Papa?'
"Yes George, we caught several bad guys." He says giving Ben and Joseph a look that says he knows they were listening. "The Anderson twins were playing with firecrackers. Boys, don't ever play with firecrackers. Do you remember what I said would happen if any of you touched a gun?"
As they all answer "Yes Sir" he says "The same punishment applies to firecrackers! For your safety as well as other people's safety STAY away from anything that contains gunpowder! Fireworks have gunpowder inside of them."
That night on the way home, Ethan asks "Well, boys how did you like the fireworks tonight?"
"It was really pretty Uncle Ethan. How did they get the red and blue color in the little firecrackers?' Ben asks.
George says "I liked it too but it was kind of loud and scary." his voice sounding sleepy.
"Now I see why you tried to hide in my shirt George! " Ethan teases. "Ben, the colors were mixed with gunpowder but those were bigger than firecrackers. They are made to shoot up in the air and then explode. People have to be taught how to use them safely. Those are even more dangerous than the small firecrackers."
Joseph asks "Who teaches the men how to use the rockets?"
"Probably other people who know how to use them, Joseph. George? Do you think you'd like to see fireworks again?" Ethan asks hoping the boy wasn't too frightened.
Not getting an answer he says "George?"
Claire sitting on the seat beside him turns and looks behind her. "He's asleep Uncle Ethan." She tells him. "This was an exciting day for him. He's never seen a parade or any kind of Independence Day celebration before. It just tired him out."
"This was my first time seeing an Independence Day celebration and fireworks too. If you take the reins, I'll copy George and go to sleep!" Ethan tells her.
"Uncle Ethan!" Claire protests as Joseph and Ben snicker in the back of the wagon.