rattled in his throat, "and for that flag," and he pointed to the ship, "never dream but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you through a thousand hells. No matter what happens to you, no matter who flatters you or abuses you, never look at another flag, never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that flag. "Remember, boy, that behind all these men you have to do with, behind officers and government and people even, there is the Country herself, your Country, and that you belong to her as you belong to your own mother."- Adapted. NOTES 1. Legion of the West. Army of the West. 2. Aaron Burr. Before this, Aaron Burr had been driven out of his party and defeated as governor of New York, under the influence of Alexander Hamilton. Then, in a needless duel, Burr shot Hamilton in 1804. For these reasons, Burr had become an outcast and had concluded to establish a government of his own at New Orleans. Jefferson had him arrested and tried for treason; but he was found not guilty. 3. Benedict Arnold. Arnold, one of the best and bravest officers of the American army during the first part of the Revolutionary War, won the complete confidence of Washington; but Congress would not give him a promotion. Finally, Washington put him in command of Philadelphia. In this command, charges of misconduct were brought against him. Eager for revenge, he requested and received the command at, West Point, the key to the Hudson. He planned to betray this stronghold to the British. The plot failed only by reason of the capture of Major André, whom the British sent to arrange with Arnold the terms of the surrender. Arnold himself escaped, but André was hanged as a spy. Later Arnold was rewarded by an appointment in the British army, but his last days were full of bitterness and sorrow. 4. Gave way. Began to row. 5. Mess. Number of the ship's crew who eat at the same table. 6. Mariners. Soldiers on the man-of-war. 7. The Lay of the Last Minstrel. A poem by Sir Walter Scott. 8. Cape Palmas. A cape on the west coast of Africa. 9. Stern-sheets. A part of the boat near the stern, which is furnished with seats. 10. Napoleon. A great leader whose campaigns were being carried on in Europe at this time. 11. Give the meanings of the following words and expressions: cruise, jollification, insignia, import, alluded, packet, chivalry, beside themselves, overhauled, pickaninnies. EXERCISES 1. What was the crime of which Philip Nolan was accused? 2. What reply did he make when asked if he had been faithful to his country? 3. What sentence was passed upon him? 4. Why was the judge's face "like a sheet"? 5. How did they manage to carry out the sentence? 6. How fully did they succeed? 7. What precautions were taken in carrying out the sentence? 8. Explain "The soldiers nicknamed him Plain Buttons." 9. Why was his reading of Napoleon's battles interrupted? 10. What was there about the "Lay of the Last Minstrel" that seemed to affect him? 11. Why did he turn pale? 12. Why did he gag and turn crimson? 13. Why was Nolan so deeply affected by the incident of the slave schooner? 14. Where did the slaves want to be taken? 15. How were they affected by the promise that they could go to their homes? 16. How did this affect Nolan? 17. What advice did he give the youngster to whom he told the story? 18. What makes this advice the more impressive to us? 19. Give as many reasons as you can why a person should be patriotic? ADDITIONAL READINGS LINCOLN: Gettysburg Address. PATRICK HENRY: The Call to Arms BRYANT: The Rising in 1776. SCOTT: Lay of the Last Minstrel. LONGFELLOW: The Building of the Ship. LANIER: Dear Land of All My Love. MARIE ZETTERBERG: My Country. SCOTT: My Native Land, from Lay of the Last Minstrel. RIIS: The Making of an American. RILEY: The Name of Old Glory. THE SEED GROWING SECRETLY Dear secret greenness! nurst below What needs a conscience calm and bright Who breaks his glass, to take more light, Then bless thy secret growth, nor catch FOUR-LEAF CLOVER HO has not hunted for, and found, the WHO lucky four-leaf clover! That thrill of true delight which comes to every faithful searching heart is best interpreted in Mrs. Ella Higginson's delicate gem, "Four-leaf Clover." No other little gem of the language has been more widely appreciated and more warmly loved. The poem was written in 1890, and was first published in the "Fact and Fancy" department of the old "West Shore" of Portland, Oregon, a department for women conducted by the promising young writer. Since then, the poem has been set to music by at least fifty composers. In England, Charles Willeby's setting was taken up by Ada Crossley, the leading contralto, and made a popular success. Calvé sings this beautiful song; and it is loved by musicians, poets, teachers, and children everywhere. The author proudly claims Kansas as her birth-state, although when a mere infant she moved with her people out to the western coast. At the time the poem was written, she was young, very poor, but determined to succeed. Her contributions for "Fact and Fancy" constituted her first regular literary work. As time for writing was exceedingly limited, sore discouragement was often hers. The rich, sweet message and melody of the poem is interpreted in a most delicate way in the author's own words. She says: "On my way to the post-office, on one of my darkest days, I passed an old orchard of cherry trees, and up sprang a four-leaf clover beneath my feet, speaking a message of well, I there and then put it to words, so you know what it was." This sweet message has inspired grateful hearts everywhere, and has thrilled all with a loftier vision of life and luck and love. I know a place where the sun is like gold, One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith, But God put another in for luck — If you search, you will find where they grow. 1 From "When the Birds Go North Again," by Mrs. Ella Higginson. Copyright, 1898, by the Macmillan Company, and used by special arrangement with the publishers and by the courteous permission of the author. |