DICK AND THE FIREWORKS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 45, 8 November 1890, Page 23

DICK AND THE FIREWORKS.

‘ I DO wish I could buy fireworks,' said a poor, ragged little boy, as he looked into a shop in Princes-street, Dunedin, at a number of squibs and crackers. Roman candles and rockets. ‘ Oh, I do wish I could earn a penny !’ A kind-looking gentleman, who seemed to Ire going to buy fireworks himself, heard what poor little Dick Hunt said, and spoke to him in a gentle voice : ‘ Well, my boy, ami what would you do with a penny ?’ ‘ Oh,’ said Dick, ‘ I could buy two fireworks, one for me and one for my little brother what’s broke his leg.’ ‘ And how could you light them ?’ asked the kind gentleman. * Oh, I know mother wouldn't mind giving me just one match if I had got the fireworks,' said Dick. ‘ Let us go into the shop,’ said the gentleman. * Perhaps I have a penny in my pocket.’ So the ragged boy followed the well-dressed gentleman as closely as possible into the shop, and he could not open bis eyes wide enough with surprise when he saw quite a big parcel of fireworks tied up and given to him. ‘ For me, sir?’ he said. ‘ Yes, half for you and half for your brother : ami here is a whole box of matches to light them with. Mind you don’t burn yourself or your brother by mistake !’ Dick was so pleased that he could hardly find any words with which to thank the gentleman, but he did say, ‘ You «re good,’ and ‘ Thank you kindly,’ before he ran off with his precious parcel. What fun he and his little brother had letting off those fireworks ! The little brother, Eddie, was carried outside to watch Dick as he marie all sorts of dreadful noises—fiz, bang, splutter, fiz, fiz, fiz, as he lighted the squibs and crackers, and how the fireworks did jump and dance about with the pain of being burnt to death ! Poor things ! and the two little boys only laughed and clapped their hands, and little Annie from next door was so frightened that she ran indoors and told her mother to come out ami see the bits of live burning wood hopping about. You see she did not know as much about fireworks as you do.