first gray of the morning she left the tavern. On the way she heard the best of news: "The British heard that reinforcements were coming and they have gone to their ships." Then she turned around and drove toward the city; but when she came to the bridge over the Potomac, it was afire. An American officer stood by. "Will you row me across the river?" she begged, for a little boat was moored to the bank. "No," he replied, "we don't let strange women into the city." In vain she pleaded, but he was firm. "Who knows what you are?" he demanded roughly. "We have had spies enough here. How do I know but the British have sent you to burn what they left? You will not cross the river, that is sure.' "But I am Mrs. Madison, the wife of your President,” she said, and threw off her disguise. Even then he could hardly be persuaded to row her across, but finally he yielded. Through clouds of smoke she made her way past heaps of smouldering ruins to the home of her sister, where she awaited the coming of the President. Such were five days in the life of a "first lady of the land." FEBRUARY: JUSTICE AND FAIR Read: MINDEDNESS ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1 BY TOM TAYLOR You lay a wreath on murdered Lincoln's bier, 1 Written at the time of Lincoln's assassination, for the London Punch You, whose smart pen backed up the pencil's laugh, Yes, he has lived to shame me from my sneer, My shallow judgment I had learnt to rue, How humble, yet how hopeful he could be; He went about his work such work as few Ever had laid on head and heart and hand, As one who knows, where there's a task to do, Man's honest will must heaven's good grace command. Who trusts the strength will with the burden grow, That God makes instruments to work his will, If but that will we can arrive to know, The words of mercy were upon his lips, Vile hand that branded murder on a strife, Draw attention to the repentance that Tom Taylor, the well-known contributor to Punch, felt for his former misjudgment of Lincoln. Questions: What do you mean by prejudice? Give an example. Ought one ever to have any prejudices? Why, or why not? Is it possible to be loyal to our family or to our country and yet be willing to admit that others are greater? If you see a poor woman with a torn skirt walking with two children whose faces are dirty, and whose boot buttons are off, can you be sure that she is slovenly? Why or why not? Learn: "We ought at least to do a man as much justice as a picture, and put him in a good light." EMER SON. Discuss the meaning of Emerson's words. Is it ever right to speak against a comrade when he cannot defend himself? Did Lincoln condemn any of his countrymen? Why is the man who speaks well of his friends popular? Learn the "Gettysburg Speech," by Lincoln.1 Learn: II Samuel, Chap. xxiii, verses 1, and 3 to 5. "These are the last words of David, the anointed of God, the sweet Psalmist of Israel." "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even as a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain." 1 In Riverside Literature Series. Learn: February 12: THE DEATH OF LINCOLN 1 BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Oh, slow to smite and swift to spare, Who, in the fear of God, didst bear The sword of power, a nation's trust! Thy task is done; the bond are free: Pure was thy life; its bloody close Who perished in the cause of Right. These are some of George Washington's "Rules of Conduct," which were found among his private papers after his death. Let the class discuss their value. Which is the most important? Why? Which is most difficult to follow? Why? Give examples of each one of the rules. "When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it. "It is better to be alone than in bad company. "Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly. 1 In Chief American Poets, edited by Curtis Hidden Page (Houghton Mifflin Co.). 2 See Washington's Rules of Conduct, etc., Riverside Literature Series. "Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. "Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present. "Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust. "In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. "Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." MARCH: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY Learn: King Henry's speech before the battle of Agincourt, beginning, "He that outlives this day and comes safe home," in Shakespeare's King Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3. Learn from Longfellow's "Building of the Ship" the last stanza, beginning: Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! Sail on, O Union, strong and great. Excellent extracts to read and discuss will be found in the section on Enterprise and Courage in William DeWitt Hyde's School Speaker and Reader. THE PATRIOTISM OF SENATOR FOELKER The race-track bills signed by Governor Hughes in 1908 prohibited betting on the race-track. The tie vote in favor of these excellent bills was cast by Senator Foelker, who came to the Senate chamber at Albany from his sick-bed and at the risk of his life. Ill or not, Senator Foelker had made up his mind that he would |