affection of the troops, McClellan assuredly has power. But the officers of Government could not, it seems, be assured that with all his military knowledge, he was a man of ready and decisive action. And one would think that, after so long a trial, their doubt was a reasonable one. Accordingly, he was superseded in command by General Burnside on the 7th of November, and left us at Warrentown. At the last moment, as the soldiers crowded about him for a parting word, he simply said, 'I wish you to stand by Burnside as you have stood by me, and all will be well.' And whether we fare well or ill, the whole army is, I believe, resolved to heed his request.

On Thanksgiving, if the rebels do not hinder us, our boys have a company' dinner. I must delay my visit home till another time, for the campaign is not yet closed. But there's a good time coming; I haven't the least doubt of it. With a heart full of love to all,

Months after the arrival of this letter, the mother read to the assembled circle the beautiful ballad of " Barbara Frietchie," and Frank learned it to speak at his school exhibition. When the rebels entered Frederick, Md., and all the Union flags were lowered, this aged heroic woman "took up the flag the men hauled down."

"In her attic window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet.

Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat, left and right
He glanced, the old flag met his sight.

'Halt!' The dust-brown ranks stood fast, 'Fire!' Out blazed the rifle blast.

It shivered the window-pane and sash;
It rent the banner with seam and gash.

Quick as it fell from the broken staff,
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf;

She leaned far out on the window-sill,
And shook it forth with a royal will.

Shoot, if you must, this old grey head; But spare your country's flag!' she said.

A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over, the face of the leader came.

The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that woman's deed and word.

'Who touches a hair of yon grey head,
Dies like a dog: March on,' he said.

All day long through Frederick Street,
Sounded the tread of marching feet.

All day long that free flag tossed,
Over the heads of the rebel host.

Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well.

And through the hill-gaps, sunset light
Shone over it a warm good night.

Over Barbara Frietchie's grave
Flag of Freedom and Union wave!
Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law.
And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick Town.

The mother also told them of Ishmael Day, a Methodist veteran of the war of 1812, who would not allow his flag to be touched by a traitor's hand. Two weeks before the invasion of Maryland, a visitor at his house asked if the flag would be kept floating in case the rebels came. "Yes," answered the old soldier; "It shall, indeed, and I'll shoot the first of them who dares touch it, if I lose my life the next minute." He kept his word, and was forced to seek refuge in the woods, whence he cow the burning of his dwelling and farm buildings.

"Seventy winters and three had shed

Their snowy glories on Ishmael's head; But though checks may wither, and locks grow gray, His fame shall be fresh and young alway

Honor be to old Ishmael Day!"

CHAPTER XI.

THE WAR IN THE

SOUTHWEST.

DANIEL was not coming home for Thanksgiving, that was "too bad," said the children. But Aunt Ellen was; and watching for her at the window, who should they discover assisting her from the carriage, but Horace. The big, brown-faced brother, with frank, steady eyes that looked as if they feared no evil or peril, and yet that twinkled so gaily when the children, after the first shy moments, clambered upon his lap and asserted their absolute claims to his person and consideration,how did he "manage" to surprise them so delightfully?

"Well, Aunt Nell had written," he said, "informing him of her intended visit. He had been trying for weeks to get a short

173

furlough, and having obtained it just in the nick of time,' to meet her at Washington, he determined to spend Thanksgiving at home, too." So here he was. The same train that bore homeward the travelers brought his letter announcing the intended visit.

He was a hearty, stalwart young fellow, with the appetite, as he affirmed, of "six dragoons;" and his soldierly ways and sayings were a source of much diversion to the children. At first he would not sleep in the comfortable bed his mother made. ready for him. "Too much fuss and feathers," he said, "for a fellow who had slept out-doors like an Indian." So he rolled himself in his grey blanket, opened the window, and lay on the carpet, despite all persuasions to the contrary. He disliked to stay long in a warm room, and was continually going out to breathe the fresh air in which he had lived for so many months. And during the fortnight he spent at home, if there was wood to be hauled or split, snow to be shoveled, or