Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-08-09

which made it of importance for him to con-
sent to remain their guest until the following
day." This was trying and exasperating
event to the high minded Key. But there
was no help for it, and controlling his indig-
nation, he requested the privilege Of spend
ing the intervening time with his friend,
whom he had not yet seen. This reasona-
BILE demand was granted forthwith, and he
was conducted to the narrow, comfortless
place where DR.. Beans was imprisoned. The
meeting was full of emotion on both sides,
as may be imagined. .s@'7"t.'
1t was now sunset, and the friends stood
together looking out of narrow portfolio
towards the shore. The aspect of every.
thing was peaceful The last golden beams
of day fingered over shore and wave, like a
parting benediction, while from the ramparts
of Fort McHenry proudly waved the Ameri-
can flag, which the God of nations had pro-
tected up to that time from dishonor, which
in the hostile attack that followed He shield
ed and blessed, and which, it is our firm hope
He will continue to protect until the last sun
that shall everrise on earth lights up its stars
and stripes with its parting glory. -.
Will that flag be there, Key, when the
morning dawns?" asked DR.. Beans of his
friend. r ..tt -
God grant it i" was the fervent response
1t was terrible night to the two Ameri
can gentlemen, whose patriotic hearts throb
bed painfully, as the booming roar of tho
cannons, the explosion of the deadly bombs
the lurid glare that lit the smoke of battle
the occasional shouts of defiance that runs
out at short intervals between the discharges
and the sharp trumpet tones of command
that pealed above the din, fell on their strain
ed ears. AT length the firing became NOR,
infrcquent as the grey dawn approached
Can not we imagine whittier the gaze of Key
and his friend were turned ? to what obiec
they strained their sight through the morn
ing mist? But everything on shore wa
hidden by the smoke and fog, which hun,
low and heavily over the river. They fcarct
the worst-there was no sign to tell then
that the American batteries had not been 81
lenced by the Cockburns guns, and Balti
more laid in ashes. Whilst agitated by thes,
fears, the wind suddenly moved through th
mist in few moments it was suddenly lift
ed away, and they saw the stars and stripes
waving untorn and unscathed from its staff
tlouting defiance at the foe from every sta
on it's azure field. The revulsion of feclin,
produced by the welcome sight was too mucl
they burst into tears and embraced cacl
other without speaking word. Soon re
covering, however, DR.. Beans, with his usua
impetuosity, sent an eXultant huzza out O
the port, to greet it, while Mr.. Key, with
heart full and glowing, penciled Oh the bacl
of an old letter one or two stanzas, and tin
outline shetch of our splendid national an
them, which since our proud flag has beel
consecrated to us by the very odium that tn
disloyal sons Of patriotic fathers have sough
to cast on it, is now as sacred to our heart
as the song of Zion that echoed besides tn
waters of Babylon. The exchange Of prs
oners was effected, and DR.. Beans, accompa
MED by his friend, returned home, Will
his feeling towards the English no wise i'm
proved.