Little Maple. Yes, yes. Tell the other trees how happy I am, and

give them my love.

The Wind. I will.

Now watch

The Teacher. Why, how windy it is getting! Come, children, we must go in.

All go away but the Little Maple Tree.

THE FOURTH OF JULY

TIME: July 4, 1776

PLACE: Philadelphia

The old Bell Ringer and the Boy come walking along the street.

Boy. What house is this, Grand

father?

Old Bell Ringer.

This is the State

House of Philadelphia. Look up at the high steeple. Up there is the Liberty Bell. That is the bell I ring.

Boy. Are you going to ring it to-day, Grandfather?

Old Bell Ringer.

I don't know. If

the Declaration of Independence is signed, I shall ring it. Look! Here come the Congressmen. It is time for Congress to meet.

All the Congressmen go walking into the State House. The doorkeeper opens the door for them. Then one Congressman comes out and calls the bell ringer.

The Congressman.

the bell ringer?

Here! Are you

Old Bell Ringer. Yes, sir.

The Congressman. Congress is going to sign the Declaration of

Independence.

Old Bell Ringer.

Oh, I'm so glad.

The Congressman. All good Ameri

cans will be glad. As soon as it is signed, you are to ring the Liberty Bell to let the people know.

Old Bell Ringer. How they'll cheer and shout to hear it! They'll fire guns and ring bells everywhere.

The Congressman. Indeed they will. Be ready to ring.

The Congressman goes into the State House.

Old Bell Ringer. I'll go up in the steeple now and stand with the rope in my hand, all ready to ring. Boy, you stay here by the door, and bring me word when it is time.

The old bell ringer goes up in the steeple.