The Washington herald., 1909-06-20
NATAL DAY OF FLAG
Public Schools Fittiney Honored National Emblem on
June Ia.

and It was fought right here IN New
York City
Near the home OF little Anderson. IN old
Greenwich village. not Tar from Nfsr-
ray street, there lived a boardfnr-borss
keeper and his comely wife. by name OF
Day. The woman was OF Dutch blood
and an ardent Whig. and possessed 4
brave heart. stubborn win. and csustfe
tongue that won her the respect IL nor
the love, OF her Eeighbors.
When the British were about 10 evacr-
ate New YORK City. they claimed tie
right Of the city until noon OF the day
fixed for the evacuation This was con-
ceded by the Americans. and trooDs
under Gen. Washington and Gov. Clinton
halted at Chatham Square and beyond
until the British began 20 move toward
their shipping at a little past noon.
Mrs Days patriotism was toe intense
and her JOY too impatient 20 allow her
70 wait until noon 70 give them visible
expression, so very early in the day she
raised an American flag on a pole she
had had planted IN front OF her house IN
anticipation OF the great event of the
dawn Of real freedom from the British
yoke.
About o'clock Of 2 bright and
son, as I was sitting on the porch OF
our house n the sunshine enjoying the
sight OF the beautiful flag waving in a
gentle breeze. 1 saw a burly. red-faced
British officer II full uniform and UEat-
tended. walking rapidly down the street
Mrs Day was quietly sweeping in front
or her house and casting a glance. now
and then. Of satisfaction toward her
floating fag.When the officer. half out OF
breath, halted before her. in a loud and
angry tone and curse. a rough voice and
golnting toward the flag. demanded,
Who hoisted that rebel hag2 %
Mrs Day stopped sweeping and con-
fronting the rude inquirer with a scornful
frown. said in a firm voice. II is not
rebel flag, sir. buL the nag OF a free pe0-
pie. Who are you|
Pull down thar flag rOared the red
faced Briton IN rage. or you'u find out
70 your cost who I am
Who are YOU? again inquired Mrs.
Day.
7 am his ma1esty's provost marshal.
charged not 70 allow a rebel flag 70 fy
In this town before noon to-day. Pull
down that nag
7 viii not do IT, said Mrs. Day firm
". keeping her eyes fixed on the glowing
face OF the angry officer
I raised that flag with my own hands.
II your king himself stood where you DO
and commanded me 20 pull il down 7
wouldn't DO it
'Hurrah.' shouted q man from an
upper window OF her house.
You cursed rebel in petucoats- sx-
claimed the oflcer. II you were not a
|oman I'd hang You on the spot That
rebel rag shah come down.
he seized the halyar1S, when Mrs.
Day sprang forward Ike reused tiEress.
and with her broom struck the intruder
upon the head with heavy and rapid
blows his hat went OF az The first
BLOW. and size made the powder fly from
his Wig. I saw il glisIen in The sunlight
Ike a little spray. A brutal nature is
always a cowardly one. As the man al
t--e window shouted hurrah Justify. and
the w0nan's weapon vas not az rest
moment. the provost. no doubt believing
prudence the better part Of valo-. re-
leased his hold on the halyards. snatched
up his hat from the ground and moved
on, mUttering curses, as rapidly as he
had come
Mrs Day was lefr mistress Of the situ-
alton and her banner waved IN triumph.
] ciapped my little hands as loudly as I
could, as Mrs. Day started for her house
a victor II the last battle OF the war. and
hearing ne she turned ana gravely court
seyed 10 ne"
Il IS probable that the brutal provost
marshal was no less a person that The IN
famous BIZ Cunningham. who was ac-
cusec OF selling the ratiOns provided for
the American prisoners. and putting TIE
money IN his pocket, while the p-is-
oners starved TO death II f said hat
Cunningham was hung IN ENGLAND later.
G-S in an agony OF fear and remorse.
coaIessS.s a. the foot oT the galIows. 10
his responsibility for the death OF about
Z,eoe American prisoners IN New York
To avoid the pain Of seeing their cOIors
hauled down on the occasion of the svac-
uauon OF New York the British officers
had their flag nailed 10 the stan al F0-r
George, at the Battery. ana then the pie
was well creased so II could not b.
climbed in 8 hurry But al Ingenious
yOungster. OF glorious memory, nailed
cleats on the star as be ascen6ed f1. thus
( forming a ladder Reaching the top. he
tore down the British flag and put up the
stars and Stripes while some OF the Brit
ish ships yere yet within the Narrows.
There was an illustration OF good
natured and prompt desire 70 save Col
Roosevelt from any superstitious pangs
he might possess on the day OF his IN
aUgUrati0n as President IN a rather
thrilling and very spectacular hag-raisins
over the White House.
The wind had been unusually high al
Of the forenoon. and about ? D n IL rose
70 positive gale. as those around Lafay-
cite Square viii still testify. Just about
the time the Presidential party were due
al the Treasury corner, on the return
from the Capitol a particularly spitefuI
breeze tore loose the fine flag and whip
ping II about hinging Il down OF the roof
OF the White House To any one who had
been reared by a dear black nanny. this
seemed an awful portent OF disaster 20
President and people. and the crowd in
the streets watched breathlessly 70 see
what would happen next.
The Official fag-raiser could not Be
found. but an old sailor. said 70 be Car
ence Miles. noted for his daring, pressed
through the crowd and volunteered his
aid In the teeth OF the gale he climbed
the pole, readjusted the halyards and
raised Old Glory. while the thousands on
the reviewing stands and streets near By
shouted in praise; and just as the last
echo died Out. The hero OF the day. Col.
Roosevelt. drove into the grounds and
dofed his hat % the flag waving above
his home