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Poem
July 6, 1909
The Topeka State Journal
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
What is this article about?
Satirical poem about schoolboys injured during Fourth of July celebrations, depicted through a roll call, emphasizing the dangers and folly of fireworks.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
ROLL CALL AFTER THE FOURTH.
"Reginald Grant!"
the principal read
"Here!"
was the answer,loud and clear.
Reginald Grant had lost an ear,
But stood in line with bandaged head.
"Andrew Blake!"-then a silence fell;
Many an eye had watched him sail
Clinging fast to a rocket's tail.
Had he alighted? None could tell.
There they stood. in the morning sun,
Lads who answered the call by turns,
Marked with poultices, scars and burns:
Another Glorious Fourth was done.
A cottage and barn were blackened coals:
The shreds of crackers were everywhere;
An odor of brimstone filled the air
And coats and trousers were full of holes.
"Herbert Peters!" a voice said low.
"Herbert Peters was standing near
When the cannon burst; and the doctors fear
He won't be up for a month or so."
Harold Judd and his brother, Tom,
Found their places with halting tread.
William Cabot was home in bed,
Badly scorched by a sudden bomb.
Endicott Milliken lacked a thumb-
A pistol had taken him by surprise.
Sparks from a pinwheel had seared the eyes
Of Anthony Collins-he could not come.
Look at the record!
Year by year
Powder and Folly take their toll,
Adding names to a mournful roll-
'Tis a Glorious Fourth, but it costs us dear!
-Arthur Guiterman in Life.
Not a serious accident in Topeka in celebrating the Glorious Fourth. Isn't that a record?
"Reginald Grant!"
the principal read
"Here!"
was the answer,loud and clear.
Reginald Grant had lost an ear,
But stood in line with bandaged head.
"Andrew Blake!"-then a silence fell;
Many an eye had watched him sail
Clinging fast to a rocket's tail.
Had he alighted? None could tell.
There they stood. in the morning sun,
Lads who answered the call by turns,
Marked with poultices, scars and burns:
Another Glorious Fourth was done.
A cottage and barn were blackened coals:
The shreds of crackers were everywhere;
An odor of brimstone filled the air
And coats and trousers were full of holes.
"Herbert Peters!" a voice said low.
"Herbert Peters was standing near
When the cannon burst; and the doctors fear
He won't be up for a month or so."
Harold Judd and his brother, Tom,
Found their places with halting tread.
William Cabot was home in bed,
Badly scorched by a sudden bomb.
Endicott Milliken lacked a thumb-
A pistol had taken him by surprise.
Sparks from a pinwheel had seared the eyes
Of Anthony Collins-he could not come.
Look at the record!
Year by year
Powder and Folly take their toll,
Adding names to a mournful roll-
'Tis a Glorious Fourth, but it costs us dear!
-Arthur Guiterman in Life.
Not a serious accident in Topeka in celebrating the Glorious Fourth. Isn't that a record?
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Liberty Independence
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Glorious Fourth
Fireworks Injuries
Fourth Of July
Satirical Roll Call
Powder Folly
What entities or persons were involved?
Arthur Guiterman In Life.
Poem Details
Title
Roll Call After The Fourth.
Author
Arthur Guiterman In Life.
Subject
Roll Call After Fourth Of July Celebrations
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"Reginald Grant!" The Principal Read "Here!" Was The Answer,Loud And Clear.
"Andrew Blake!" Then A Silence Fell; Many An Eye Had Watched Him Sail Clinging Fast To A Rocket's Tail.
Look At The Record! Year By Year Powder And Folly Take Their Toll, Adding Names To A Mournful Roll 'Tis A Glorious Fourth, But It Costs Us Dear!