But, for the glorious Stripes and Stars,
Such iron loyalty.
Note.—Nathan Hale was a native of the town of Coventry, in Connecticut; and graduated at Yale College, in 1773. He entered the army of the Revolution at an early period, as a captain in a light infantry regiment, under command of Colonel Knowlton. After the defeat of the 27th August, 1776, and the retreat of the Americans from Long Island, Washington became exceedingly desirous to gain some information respecting the future operations of the enemy, and applied to Colonel Knowlton, through whom Hale was introduced, and volunteered his services.
He disguised himself, crossed to Long Island, procured admission to the British camp, obtained the information desired, and was about leaving the Island, when a refugee and a relative recognised, and betrayed him.
The case was clear. Hale confessed; and Sir William Howe ordered him hung the next morning. He suffered like a patriot and a Christian. "I lament," said he, "that I have but one life to lose for my country." The provost-marshal, who superintended the execution, was a savage-hearted man, and refused him the attendance of a clergyman, and the use of a Bible, and destroyed letters which he had written to his mother, and other friends, making the remark, that "the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness."
An aged physician, recently deceased, was accustomed to relate an anecdote that is worthy of preservation. The Doctor, when a small boy, attended a school taught by Hale in the town of East Windsor, Connecticut. One day Hale was standing at his desk, in a deep study, when certain wide-awake boys began to take advantage of his inattention.
The narrator thereupon went softly to his side, touched him, and pointed to the scene of mischief. Hale, without turning his head, dropped a look[25] upon the little informer—a mild look, but full of rebuke,—"Go back to your seat," said he. The boy slunk away, and neither misunderstood nor forgot this rebuke of the ungenerous and disloyal, from his true-hearted teacher; and associated as the incident became with the subsequent fate of Hale, it made a deep and affecting impression upon his memory.
[25] The Doctor described Hale as having had remarkably fine and expressive blue eyes.
THE DREAMER.
BY MARY E. HEWITT.
Last night he kissed me,—kissed me in my dream!