The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-04-19
!: The FlagLOW0r0
q aoSe0ooeeeOeeeoo@

SoeseooeeeeSeeeee
When the British left our shores at
the close of the Revolution, they left
fly ing one royal flag which, as they had
nailed it to the hagpolc. they fondly
hoped would continue to kiss the
brcezes for some time to come.
At the foot of famous Broadway
stood Fort George. named for the Brit
ish king. and from its tall stan ioated
the flag which the enemy had left be-
hind
II nappcd in the breeze of that No
yemher day in a manner quite dis
tasteful to the Americans who had
seen ii waving there FOR almost seven
years.
1t must come down But how? The
patriots did not want TO destroy the
tall flagstaff. for they wished to hoist
upon il another flag which should rep
resent the newest republic on the face
Of the globe. ana So they gathered
about the staff rs they suggested
means for lowering the British flag.
The English vessels were vanishing
down the Narrows. and their white
sails would soon disappear. but there
I'm the wind waved the flag they had
left behind bidding defiance 10 their
conoucrors. and saying In mute Ian
cuage that. though the colonies were
free. the emblem Of king still remain
ed to disturb them.
81 believe l could climb that pole
said a boy who stood looking M the
flag.
An American officer, ovcrhcarins
these words. turned and gave HIM
look OF establishment.
"You dof' said the officer "Do you
really think you could climb that flag
staff and tear the banner looseT
81 could try anyhow"
"IIere. sergeant, take this boy over
TO General Knox and let him tell him
what he thinks he can do"
The sergeant took johnny Van Ars-
dale to the generals headquarters and
saluted.
"Ths boy says he can climb the nag
STAFF and remove the British flag.
The kind face Of Knox was illu-
mined by a smile. lie looked the boy
over from head to foot and said:
You look agile, boy. You have
climbed before, have youT'
Yes. sir" replied johnny, blushins.
IF you would let me try 10 take the
flag down. | would do my best
You shall try. and you look capable
OF doing it," and with another salute
the sergeant withdrew and marched
the delighted boy back TO the parade
ground.
The crowd gathered about the flag
staff looked at the boy and soon IN
derstood what was up. \ great many
OF them knew him, and not 4 few
knew how agile he was.
Not only had the departing British
nailed their flag 10 the pole, but they
had knocked of the cleats and creased
the staff so as to make 1t hard to climb
Johnny Van Arsdale went to work
he had brought with him lot Of sand
and 10y mailing back the cleats and ap-
plying the sand to the slick pole he
managed to climb up hand over hand
amid the cheers Of the people.
As he neared the top Of the tall flag
pole q strange hush seemed TO fall over
the crowd below. II was expectation
not altogether unmlngled with fear.
There were those who feared that
| even should he reach the top his hands
would not be strong enough to tear the
flag loose. but the little patriot perse-
vered until he could touch the ensign.
Look. He is up now" said a voice
far beneath him. lie has caught hold
| Of the flag He is tearing it loose.
| There. see how it yields. He will ac-
complsh his purpose"
He worked with Will, watched all
the time by those on the ground, and
when they saw that he had wrapped
the standard around his body and had
started upon his descent a great cheer
arose from every throat.
Louder than ever was the cheer that
rent the air when the triumphant boy
reached the ground and unwrapped
from his body the wind torn banner
which he had secured.
81 told the general thought | could
bring it down." he said to the officer
who stepped forward to take the cap
tured banner.
In another moment he was hemmeC
In by a wildly shouting crowd, anc
strong men took him upon their shoul
ders and carried him in ecstasy acros:
the parade ground.
In q little while another flag foateC
from the flagstaff Of Fort George, but
II was not the standard of the king
1t was the stars and stripes Of the
young nation which had secured it;
right to have flag by seven years Of
war;
And while It floated there the las
British vessel vanished, and New Yorl
held no soldiers but those who would
henceforth occupy it.
Johnny Van Arsdale lived a gOO(
many years after his daring act II
lowering the last British flag, and more
than once he was compelled to relate
to groups Of children how he took +
down from its lofty height and saw
the banner of freedom take its place
| EvobonCo