Part 48 (1/2)

toc' sin re count' ed

WAs.h.i.+NGTON'S BIRTHDAY.

'Tis splendid to have a record So white and free from stain That, held to the light, it shows no blot, Though tested and tried amain; That age to age forever Repeats its story of love, And your birthday lives in a nation's heart, All other days above.

And this is Was.h.i.+ngton's glory, A steadfast soul and true, Who stood for his country's honor When his country's days were few.

And now when its days are many, And its flag of stars is flung To the breeze in radiant glory, His name is on every tongue.

Yes, it's splendid to live so bravely, To be so great and strong, That your memory is ever a tocsin To rally the foes of wrong; To live so proudly and purely, That your people pause in their way, And year by year, with banner and drum, Keep the thought of your natal day.

_Margaret E. Sangster._

By permission of the author.

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Brit' on (un) ant' lers wrin' kled vet' er an im mor' tal

THE SWORD OF BUNKER HILL.

He lay upon his dying bed, His eye was growing dim, When, with a feeble voice, he called His weeping son to him: ”Weep not, my boy,” the veteran said, ”I bow to heaven's high will; But quickly from yon antlers bring The sword of Bunker Hill.”

The sword was brought; the soldier's eye Lit with a sudden flame; And, as he grasped the ancient blade, He murmured Warren's name; Then said, ”My boy, I leave you gold, But what is richer still, I leave you, mark me, mark me well, The sword of Bunker Hill.

”'Twas on that dread, immortal day, I dared the Briton's band; A captain raised his blade on me, I tore it from his hand; And while the glorious battle raged, It lightened Freedom's will; For, son, the G.o.d of Freedom blessed The sword of Bunker Hill.

”Oh! keep this sword,” his accents broke,-- A smile--and he was dead; But his wrinkled hand still grasped the blade, Upon that dying bed.

The son remains, the sword remains, Its glory growing still, And twenty millions bless the sire And sword of Bunker Hill.

_William R. Wallace._

[Ill.u.s.tration:]

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THE MARTYR'S BOY.