I. The Fourth: United We Stand <br /> <br />The Androscoggin unfurled to the left of the dike- <br /> 'fish-curing place' the Algonquians called it, (sez <br /> Britannica) - more calmly nearer the bridge. <br /> <br />Flailing canvas capped the bandstand across <br /> the way, a parched breeze creasing the river's surface. <br /> The Sun lurked, winding <br /> <br />down for the day, yielding like an emcee to the <br /> Main Event, sprinkling <br /> confetti upon a family of Loons. <br /> <br />A small girl makes clods of <br /> mulch, harassing <br /> big sister, demanding her 'horsie ride.' One vet <br /> <br />limped by, 'Korea' his cap proudly hailed, stopped to <br /> chat with another, folding his <br /> director's chair for the 'bug-out, ' after <br /> <br />the consultation. Both girls were playing horsey by then, <br /> astride Daddy and the <br /> BK bag. 'Don't crawl! ' Dad ordered. Two older girls <br /> <br />brought their own morning glories. The vets <br /> remained Calm, among <br /> -small-town bodies- <br /> -indoor tans
