Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1894-08-30
A YOUNG HERO.
Future Generations WIN Drink In the stoi
of Nathan Hale.

0
heroism, and grief over his untimely
death. Every boy and girl in America
should know by heart the life of Capt
Nathan Hale. II is a story which every
son and daughter Of the great republic
should eashrine in their memories.
In the darkest hour Of our country's
struggle for liberty, this self-devoted
hero-inspircd with fervid patriotism
and eager to render service to his
country-laid down his young life. n
sacrifice TO the cause of American
liberty.
The days and weeks that followed
that memorable Fourth Of July in 1916
were dark, indeed, for the struggling
colonists.
Determined 10 crush with one effort
the insurrection m her American colo
nies, Great Britain sent that summer a
larger force than any which had before
landed upon our shores.
You know the story Of the disastrous
battle upon Long Island-where the
few thousand ill-clothed, undisciplined
provincial troops faced a splendidly-
equipped army, many regiments Of
which were veterans. The raw Amer
lean troops, despite their courage and
heroism, were no match for the trained
and skilled soldiery of Great Britain;
and even Gen. Washington, undemon-
strative aad reserved as he was, is said
to have wrung his hands in anguish
upon seeing his troops defeated and
driven back, he being powerless TO aid
them.
After the disastrous battle of Long
Island, Washington sorely needed in
formation of the strength and probable
movements of the powerful enemy. lie
deemed it necessary that some skilled
soldier should go, as a spy, within the
British lines and procure for him the
knowledge so much desired, that he
might be warned in ample time"
Capt. Nathan Hale, brilliant young
officer belonging to Knowlton's Rang
ers, calmly decided it was his duty to
undertake tfu enterprise upon which
the fate of The detected little army
seemed TO depend. His friends sought in
vain to dissuade him from his purpose
81 desire 10 be useful" was his reply;
his only thought seemed TO be to serve
his country.
The young officer presented himself
TO Gen. Washington as a volunteer for
the dangerous service, was accepted,
received his instructions and disap-
peared from camp
lie passed up the Connecticut shore,
disguised himself as a schoolmaster,
and landed upon Long Island. He Wis
tied all the British camps upon Long
Island and in New York, and made
drawings of the Notifications, writing
his observations in Latin, and hiding
them between the soles of his shoes
He had been about two weeks within
the British lines, had accomplished his
purpose, and was waiting upon the
shore at Huntington, l.. l., for boat
that was to convey him to Connecticut,
when he was captured, having been rec.
ognized few hours previous by a tory
refugee. He was taken aboard British
man-of-war and carried To Sir William
llowe's headquarters in New York city.
Here he was condemned TO be executed
at sunrise on the following morning.
In what prison or guardhouse the
noble souled young patriot spent that
last sad night Of his life is not known;
but of the brutality with which he was
treated by the provost marshal into
whose hands he was given over there Is
abundant proof His request for the
attendance Of clergyman was fused.
Even a Bible was denied him.
During the preparations for the exc
cution, an English officer obtained per.
mission to offer the prisoner the seclu.
sion of his tent, where writing mate
rials were furnished.
But the farewell letters he wrote tc
his mother, 10 his sweetheart and 10
comrade in the army were torn 10 shredf
before his eyes by the cruel provost
marshal.
1t was early dawn on Sunday morn.
ing, September %, 1876, that our young
hero was hurried away from the tent
OF the English officer TO the gallows.
The spot selected was the orchard of
Col. Henry Rutgers on East Broadway,
not far above what is now Franklin
square.
A crowd had gathered, many of
whom afterward bore witness TO the
noble bearing Of the young hero. and
W tAt palbdIlAI WIN Wnlcn ne was
treated by the provost marshal. This
official said; THE rebels shall never
know they have a man who can die
with such irmness."
As Hale was about 10 ascend the
fatal scaffold, he stood a moment look. |
ing upon the detachment Of British |
soldier and the crowd standing about;
and the words that came from his |
loyal young heart in that supreme mo |
ment will never die: ~ only regrot
that have but one life to lose for my |
country"
II Is not known In what spot his
body was laid, but the bones OF the
young patriot crumpled 10 dust In the
heart Of the great metropolis Of the
republic he helped 10 found.
So long as love Of country Is cher.
ished, and devotion 10 the cause OF
liberty rs remembered, 80 long win tho
name OF Nathan Hale shine with pure
and undimmed lustre.--St. Sicholas.
Flora Il. Higley, OF Marlboro, w.
has a Gala fifteen years old, and a De.
culiarity Of the plant Is that Il has
never grown new bulbs. II has seven
leaves, one Of which n four feet three
and one-half inches In height. The
blossom, which Is seven by five inches