SCOTT AND THE VETERAN. But, General," cried the veteran, a flush upon his brow, - 39 "The very men who fought with us, they say are traitors now: They've torn the flag of Lundy's Lane, our old red, white and blue, And while a drop of blood is left, I'll show that drop is true. "I'm not so weak but I can strike, and I've a good old gun, "God bless you, comrade!" said the Chief,-" God bless your loyal heart! But younger men are in the field, and claim to have a part; "But, General!"-still persisting, the weeping veteran cried, "I'm young enough to follow, so long as you're my guide; And some you know must bite the dust, and that, at least, can I; So, give the young ones place to fight, but me a place to die! "If they should fire on Pickens, let the colonel in command "I'm ready, General; so you let a post to me be given Where Washington can look at me, as he looks down from heaven. And say to Putnam at his side, or, may be, General Wayne--'There stands old Billy Johnson, who fought at Lundy's Lane!' "And when the fight is raging hot, before the traitors fly- BARBARA FRIETCHIE. JOHN G. WHITTIER. Up from the meadows rich with corn, The cluster'd spires of Frederick stand, Round about them orchards sweep, Fair as a garden of the Lord, To the eyes of that famish'd rebel horde, On that pleasant morn of the early Fall, Over the mountains winding down, Forty flags with their silver stars, Flapp'd in the morning wind: the sun Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men haul'd down. In her attic window the staff she set, Up the street came the rebel tread, Under his slouch'd hat left and right Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Peace and order and beauty draw And ever the stars above look down "I WOULDN'T-WOULD YOU." WHEN a lady is seen at a party or ball, ANONYMOUS. · Her eyes vainly turn'd in her fits of conceit, As she peers at the gentlemen, fancying all Are enchained by her charms and would kneel at her feet, With each partner coquetting,-to nobody true ;— I wouldn't give much for her chances: would you? When an upstart is seen on the flags strutting out, While he twists his moustache for the ladies to view ; When a wife runs about at her neighbors to pry, Leaving children at home, unprotected to play ; When a husband is idle, neglecting his work, In the public-house snarling with quarrelsome knaves; When he gambles with simpletons, drinks like a Turk, While his good wife at home for his poor children slaves; And that home is quite destitute-painful to view; I wouldn't give much for his morals :-would you? : 43 I WOULDN'T-WOULD YOU?" When a boy at his school, lounging over his seat, Sits rubbing his head, and neglecting his book, While he fumbles his pockets for something to eat, Yet pretendeth to read when his master may look, Though he boasts to his parents how much he can do ; I wouldn't give much for his progress :—would you? When a man who is driving a horse on the road, Reins and whips the poor brute with unmerciful hand, Till with suff'ring and working it scarcely can stand; When a master who lives by his laborers' skill, Or unfeelingly turns them away from his door; When a tradesman his neighbor's fair terms will decry, Though customers flock to him early and late; When in murderous deeds a man's hands are imbrued. When a husband and wife keep their secrets apart, Not a word to my spouse about this, or on that; When a trifle may banish the pledge of their heart, And he naggles-she snaggles ;-both contradict flat; |