reciting, boys that formed arch step to right and left still Industry and Devotion But cargoes for others to share! of right and left sides of stage, meet, march to stage center, stop, sidestep to right and left and join lanterns high above and between forming arch. They look at each other. The first two speakers continue swinging lanterns in time with music. Remaining three boys step forward in single file, pass beneath arch and around stage to rear by way of right side, down to front Courage, Kindness, and Patriotism, With a halo of beauty divine. way. All others do likewise and follow in single file. They are led around center of stage in serpentine circular form and, unwinding, are led off stage by rear exit. He was one whom responsibility educated, and he showed himself more and more equal to duty as year after year laid on him ever fresh burdens. God-given and God-led and sustained we must ever believe him.--Wendell Phillips. NINE YEARS' EVENTS. EXERCISE FOR NINE. [Every child carries a card bearing a year. When reciting child holds card to view of audience.] 1858. In wonderful debate, So histories relate. 1861. His country sought his care The Presidential chair. 1862. Kind Lincoln freed the slaves, Forever above his grave. 1865. While seeking rest from care, Shot our great President. Amidst a nation's grief, His joy o'er peace was brief. Grave Lincoln bade the raging tempest cease, -Paul Laurence Dunbar. TRIBUTE TO COLONEL ELLSWORTH. LETTER ADDRESSED TO COLONEL ELLSWORTH'S FATHER AND MOTHER. [Colonel Ellsworth, having entered a hotel at Alexandria, Virginia, and hauled down a rebel flag, was shot dead on the stairs by the hotel proprietor, who in turn was killed instantly by Ellsworth's men.] “IN N the untimely loss of your noble son, our affliction here is scarcely less than your own. So much of promised usefulness to one's country, and of bright hopes for one's self and friends, have rarely been so suddenly dashed as in his fall. In size, in years, and in youthful appearance a boy only, his power to command men was surpassingly great. This power, combined , with a fine intellect, an indomitable energy, and a taste altogether military, constituted in him, as seemed to me, the best talent in that department I ever knew. "And yet he was singularly modest and deferential in social intercourse. My acquaintance with him began less than two years ago; yet through the latter half of the intervening period it was as intimate as the disparity of our ages and my engrossing engagements would permit. To me he appeared to have no indulgences or pastimes; and I never heard him utter a profane or an intemperate word. What was conclusive of his good heart, he never forgot his parents. The honors he labored for so laudably, and for which in the sad end he so gallantly gave his life, he meant for them no less than for himself. "In the hope that it may be no intrusion upon the sacredness of your sorrow, I have ventured to address you this tribute to the memory of my young friend and your brave and early fallen child. “May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power. "Sincerely your friend in a common affliction, "A. LINCOLN." VERSE QUOTATIONS ABOUT LINCOLN. So . Right's, O he went forth to battle, on the side As in his peasant boyhood he had plied His warfare with rude nature's thwarting mights. No hero, this, of Roman mould; -R. H. Stoddard. Patriot, who made the pagentries of kings -R. W. Dale. The form is vanished and the footsteps still, --Kate M. B. Sherwood. His country saved, his work achieved, He boasted not of what he'd done, But rather in his goodness, grieved For all sad hearts beneath the sun. -G. Martin. He went about his work—such work as few Ever had laid on head and heart and handAs one who knows where there's a task to do Man's honest will must Heaven's good grace command. -Tom Taylor. His daily life was ruled by God's decrees; He loved his people, prayed for their content |