27. They whispered one another, "He is dying."

28. And he said, "I am. My age is falling from me like a garment, and I move towards the star as a child. And O, my Father, now I thank thee that it has so often opened to receive those dear ones who await me!"

29. And the star was shining; and it shines upon his grave.

1 STROLLED. Wandered; strayed.

2 SPIRE. A structure which tapers to a point at the top; a steeple.

3 TRAIN. A number of objects in a line; a number of persons in a line; a procession.

6 BEAM'ING. Shining; emitting rays or beams of light.

7 GLO'RI-FIED. Made glorious.

8 RA'DI-ANT. Shining; effulgent.
9 BLESSING. Prayer imploring happi-
ness for another.

4 SPÄR KLING. Glittering; bright, as if 10 BE-DEWED' (bẹ-dūd'). Wet with dew emitting sparks.

or as with dew; moistened.

5 ĀN'ĢEL. An inhabitant of heaven; a 11 CE-LES'TIAL (se-lěst'yal). Of heaven: good spirit.

heavenly.

X.-INDEPENDENCE BELL-JULY 4, 1776.

["When it was certain that the Declaration' would be adopted and confirmed by the signatures of the delegates in Congress, it was determined to announce the event by ringing the old State House Bell, which bore the inscription, Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof!' and the old bellman posted his little boy at the door of the hall to await the instruction of the doorkeeper when to ring. At the word, the little patriot scion rushed out, and flinging up his hands, shouted, Ring! RING!! RING ! ! !'"]

1. THERE was tumult in the city,

In the quaint old Quaker town,*
And the streets were rife1 with people
Pacing restless up and down;
People gathering at corners,

Where they whispered each to each,
And the sweat stood on their temples,
With the earnestness of speech.

*Philadelphia.

2. As the bleak Atlantic currents

Lash the wild Newfoundland shore,
So they beat against the State House,
So they surged against the door;
And the mingling of their voices
Made a harmony profound,
Till the quiet street of chestnuts
Was all turbulent with sound.

3. "Will they do it?" "Dare they do it?" "Who is speaking?" What's the news?"

"What of Adams?

"What of Sherman ?"

"O, God grant they won't refuse!"

"Make some way, there!' "Let me nearer!"

"I am stifling!" "Stifle, then;

When a nation's life's at hazard,

We've no time to think of men!

4. So they beat against the portal -
Man and woman, maid and child;
And the July sun in heaven

On the scene looked down and smiled;
The same sun that saw the Spartan*
Shed his patriot blood in vain,

Now beheld the soul of freedom
All unconquered rise again.

5. Aloft in that high steeple

Sat the bellman, old and gray;
He was weary of the tyrant
And his iron-sceptred sway;

* Leonidas.

So he sat with one hand ready

On the clapper of the bell,

When his eye should catch the signal,
Very happy news to tell.

6. See! see the dense crowd quivers
Through all its lengthy line,
As the boy beside the portal
Looks forth to give the sign!
With his small hands upward lifted,
Breezes dallying with his hair,
Hark! with deep, clear intonation,2
Breaks his young voice on the air.

7. Hushed the people's swelling murmur,
List the boy's strong joyous cry!
"Ring!" he shouts aloud; "RING! Grandpa!
Ring! O, RING for LIBERTY!"
And straightway, at the signal,
The old bellman lifts his hand,
And sends the good news, making
Iron music through the land.

8. How they shouted! What rejoicing!
How the old bell shook the air,
Till the clang of freedom ruffled
The calm gliding Delaware!
How the bonfires and the torches
Illumed the night's repose,
And from the flames, like Phoenix,3
Fair Liberty arose !

9. That old bell now is silent,

And hushed its iron tongue,

1 RIFE.

But the spirit it awakened.
Still lives forever young.
And while we greet the sunlight
On the FOURTH of each July,
We'll ne'er forget the bellman,

Who, 'twixt the earth and sky,
Rung out OUR INDEPENDENCE!

Which, please GOD, shall never die!

Plentiful; here filled.

2 IN-TO-NA'TION. Expressive modula

tion of a voice or an instrument; tone. 8 PHOENIX (fe'niks). A fabled bird sup- |

posed to live for a long period, to exist single, and to rise again from its own ashes, and hence used as an emblem of immortality.

XI. THE DINNER OF THE MONTHS.

1. ONCE upon a time the months determined to dine together. They were a long time deciding who should have the honor of being the host1 upon so solemn an occasion, but the lot fell at last upon December; for although the old gentleman's manners were found to be rather cold upon first acquaintance, yet it was well known that when once you got under his roof, there was not a merrier or more hospitable person in existence. The messenger, too, Christmas Day, whom he sent round with his cards of invitation, won the hearts of all, though he played many mad pranks, and received many a box in

return.

2. February begged to be excused from coming to the dinner, as she was in very bad spirits, on account of the loss of her youngest child, the twenty-ninth, who had lately left her, and was not expected to return for four years. Her objection, however, was overruled; and

being seated at table between the smiling May and that merry old fellow, October, she appeared to enjoy the evening's entertainment as much as any of the company.

3. The dinner was a very fine one, and admirably served. March and April agreed to furnish all the fish, May to decorate the dishes with flowers, June to supply early strawberries, July and August to present the dessert, September a magnificent course of all sorts of game,2 except pheasants, which were supplied by October, who also sent a couple of hampers of fine home-brewed ale, and November engaged that there should be an abundance of ice.

4

4. A short, stout little fellow, called St. Thomas's Day,* stood behind December's chair, and officiated as toast-master; and much merriment was excited by the contrast between the diminutive appearance of this man, and the longest day, who stood behind June, at the other end of the table. Master Thomas, however, was a very useful fellow, and besides performing the high official duty we have mentioned, he drew the curtains, stirred the fire, lighted and snuffed the candies, and seemed to think himself of more importance than anybody else.

5. The pretty blushing May was the general toast 5 of the company, and many compliments were passed upon the elegant way in which she had ornamented the dishes. Old January tried to be very agreeable to her, but she received him coldly. January at length ceased to persecute her with his attentions, and transferred them to November, a prim old lady.

6. July, who was of a desperately hot temper, was * St. Thomas's Day is the 21st of December.