■"^ ^"^'iSi '''S r-^;' ';f "% W"^'\ %^. |]()()k ('opyrii^lil X" comK'K.irr iiin'osiT. HISTORY PRIMER BY Oscar Gerson, Ph. D. Central Manual Training High School, Philadelphia AND Melvin Hix,B. S., B. E. Principal of Public School 3 1 , Queens Borough, New York City. e^ PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK HINDS. NOBLE & ELDREDGE [library of CONGRESS Two Copies Received OCT 16 1906 I « Cooyrieht Entry CLASS A ^<="< '*"' COPY B. Copyright, 1906, by HINDS. NOBLE & ELDREDGE PREFACE. In the elementary schools throughout this country, the general custom has been to postpone the study of history until the fifth or sixth year of the course. History is not entirely neglected in the earlier grades, but is taken up very informally. Even in the first grade our national holidays are made the occasion of ^simple exercises and oral lessons. The lives of our national heroes furnish considerable story material which is used to awaken patriotism as well as to arouse an interest in the history of our country. It has seemed to the authors that by the third or fourth year of school yfe it would be a distinct benefit to the pupil to have some of this historical material arranged in simple, interesting and somewhat connected form. This History Primer is an attempt to do this as well as to furnish a book which will sei've as a transition to the more formal study of history in the higher grades. In accordance with universally accepted educational prin- ciples, the biographical method of treating the subject has been followed. The chronological sequence has been adhered to as far as possible, but has necessarily been subordinated to the biographical treatment wherever it conflicted with the latter. The controlling idea in the mind of the authors has not been to furnish merely a text for study, but rather to awaken iv PREFACE. an interest in history and to arouse a spirit of patriotism ; in other words, to continue with the aid of a book, the lessons furnisiied in the earlier grades by means of holiday celebra- tions and oral instruction. These earlier lessons supplied valuable subject matter for language instruction, and it is hoped that this History Primer may provide interesting material for more extended exercises of the same nature. Throughout the book an attempt has been made to keep the language as simple and clear as possible, and to eliminate from consideration the discussion of to2)ics beyond the com- prehension of pupils of the third or fourth year of school. The age of the pupil has also been carefully considered in the important matters of ty[)Ography and illustration. It is hoped that whether the book be used as a history reader, as a basis for language work, or as a text for study, it will awaken an interest in history and serve as an attractive introduction to the later and more formal study of the subject. O. G. M. H. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. — CHRISTOrHER CoLUMBUS 1 II. — How THE New World got Its Name 13 III. — Ferdinand Magellan 15 IV. — The Indians 19 V. — Sir Walter Raleigh . 27 VI. — John Smith 31 VII. — The Story of the Pilgrims 37 VIII.— Henry Hudson. The Settlement of New York . 46 IX. — William Penn and the Friends 52 X, — How the English Colonies became the United States 58 XI. — George Washington ^^ XII. — Paul Revere's Ride and the Battle of Lexington 77 XIII. — The x\merican Army at Valley Forge 81 XIV. — Betsy Ross and the American Flag 85 XV. — The Story of Ly'dia Darrah 90 XVI. — Benjamin Franklin 94 XVII.— Stephen Girard 100 XVIIL— The Story of Slavery 104 XIX. — The Story of Abraham Lincoln 109 XX. — Memorial Day 118 XXL— Old Ways and New 120 Appendix. — Patriotic Selections 133 V HISTORY PRIMER. CHAPTER I. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 1. Ideas about the World before America was Discovered. — In olden times the people did not know much about the world in which they lived. Between Showing- Parts Known before Columbus. 400 and 500 years ago the people who lived in the lands far across the ocean did not know that there was such a country as America. HISTORY PRIMER. In those days they had no steamships, and their sailboats were not so hirge and strong as the big ships we have now. The sail- ors were afraid to no a great distance from shore. They believed that far out on the ocean there were horrid sea serpents and other strange creatures that would attack their ships. They did not know that the earth was round. Boats of Those Days (from old Pictures). They thought that it was flat, and they were afraid that they might fall off the edije if thev sailed too far. There were some wise men who did not believe these stories. They be- lieved that although the earth looked flat, it was really round like a ball. One of these wise men was named Christopher Columbus. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 4 HISTORy PRIMER. Columbus was a brave man. Tie was not afraid to sail across the ocean. His daring voyage is really the beginning of the history of our country. Every American boy and girl ought to know something about the life of this great man and the story of his discovery of America. 2. Early Life of Christopher Columbus. — Clnisto- pher Columbus was born nearly ii\e hundred years ago in Genoa, a city on the sea-coast. When Christopher was a little 1)oy he was fond of watching the ships. He liked to listen to the stories that the sailors told. He often wished that he could o'o with them on their vovai>-es to other countries. His fatherand motlierwerewoolcombers. Christopher did not like this trade l)ut Avanted to be a sailor. ^Vlthough his parents were ])oor, they sent Christo- pher to school. He studied geography and liked to draw maps. Columbus was so fond of the sea that lie became a sailor when he was only fourteen years old. He made many voyages and became a captain when quite a young man. The vessels he sailed in some- times had figlits with ])irate ships. Columbus was also made captain of warsliips. He wQU";rinany sea fights because he was such a l)rave leader. Once after fighting all day his sln"p was set on fire. He jumped from his burning Aessel into the CIIKISTOPIIER COLUMBUS. 5 sea. With only an oar to help him, C^olnmbus swam all the way to shore, a distance of six miles. Cohmibus found time to study many books on geography. He talked with sailors who had made long- voyages. The things he learned made him feel sure the earth was round, although most people in those days believed it was flat. 3. Columbus in search of Help. — There was a rich country in the East named India. People who wished Columbus' Ships. to trade with this country had to travel a long dis- tance over sea and land. The journey was not only long but also dangerous. Columbus was sure that the earth was round and he thouo-ht he could find a short way to India by sailing west across the ocean. Columbus wanted to get some ships so that he HISTORY PRIMER. could sail across the ocean to India. Nobody was willing to help him. Most of the people laughed at his plans and some thought that he was crazy. The few people who believed as Columbus did were not willing to lend him their ships. They were afraid they might be wrecked or lost far out on the unknown sea. But Columbus felt sure he was right. He had made up his mind to sail across the ocean. In spite of many disappointments he kept on trying to get the ships. After waiting many years Columbus at last got help from Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain. They fitted up three small ships and made him captain of the fleet. He had a hard time to find sail- ors to go with him. They were afraid to risk their lives on the dano-erous vova^e Columbus was going to make. 4. The Voyage.— On a bright summer morning (August 3, 1492) Colum- bus set sail with his three ittle ships, the Nina, the ^^^N"^''') inta and the Santa Maria. There were tears in the Columbus. eyes of many of the sailors as the boats left the shore. They feared they would never see their homes again. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. 7 When the ships got out of sight of land the sail- ors grew more and more afraid. As day after day passed and no land came into sight the sailors begged Columbus to turn back. He tried to quiet their fears and told them to trust in him. As time went on the sailors became angry and disobedient. When Columbus refused to turn back, some of the men threatened to throw him overboard. Columbus would not change his course, and he made the men obey his orders. 5. The Discovery of Land. — iVt last signs of land began to be noticed. Some land birds iiew past the ships. Branches of trees and pieces of wood floated by. One of the men picked up a carved stick from the water. The sailors now felt sure that land was near. They were no longer afraid to go ahead. Every man kept a strict look out. Columbus had promised a prize to the one who would first see land. Columbus stood on the deck keeping watch during the night. He was the first to see a light moving in the distance and so won the prize himself. Soon after Columbus saw the light, a gun was fired from one of the other ships. This was a signal that land was in sight. The next morning (October 8 JIISTORY 1»R1MEK. 12, 1492) a beautiful island could be seen a few miles away. lr^,^_^^^ Columbus on the Lookout for Land. 6. The Landing of Columbus. — The ships an- chored near the island. (\)hunbus and his captains dressed tliemselvcs in their finest clotlies and were rowed ashore. When they reached the land they fell upon their christophp:r columbus. 9 knees, kissed the earth and gave thanks to God. Tliey then raised the royal banner as a sign that they ckiinied the kind for the King and Qaeen of Spain. 7. The People Columbus Found.— The people living on the island were surprised when they saw the ships coming towards the shore. They had never seen sail boats before, and some of them Native Huts as Columbus Found Them. thought the ships were big birds that had flown down from heaven. They were scared at first and hid in the woods. By and by they gained courage enough to draw near to the strange people who had landed on their shore. Columbus and his men were the first white 10 HISTORY PKLMP]R. people they had ever seen. The natives wore ahiiost no clothes and had copper-colored skins. They were filled with wonder at the white skins and fine clothes of the strangers. Columbns gave them presents of glass beads, red caps and other trifles. They were as pleased with these thino-s as little children are with new toys. Colnmbns thought the island was a part of India, so he called these naked red men Indians. 8. The Mistake Columbus Made.— But Columbus had made a mistake. He was still thousands of Paradise The Earthly The Earth as Columbus Thougrht it (Pear Shaped). miles from India. He did not know that another broad ocean would have to be crossed before he could reach that country. Columbus never found out that he had really discovered a new continent — America. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. H 9. Columbus Returns to Spain. — Columbus cruised about auiong the West India islands trying to find the mainland of India. He discovered the island of Cuba. He thought it Avas })art of Asia. One of his ships, the Santa Maria, was wrecked near the island of Havti. He used the timber of the wreck to build a fort there. He left about forty of his men in charge of the fort and set sail for Spain in the Nina. After a long and stormy voyage he arrived at Spain. He had been gone more than half a year. The people received him with great joy. They listened with wonder to the story of his voyage and discovery. Thej were astonished at the sight of the Indians, the strange animals and the rare plants which Columbus had brouo^ht back with him. Those who before had laughed at him now bowed down before him. The King and Queen of Spain gave a fine parade in his honor. Every body now praised Columbus and spoke of him as a great man. 10. Later Voyages of Columbus. — Columbus made three other voyages to the new world. He did not succeed in finding the gold and silver which the people of Spain expected him to bring l)ack. They were greatly disappointed. They blamed Columbus and treated him very badly. 12 HISTORY PRIMER. 11. Last Days of Christopher Columbus. — Coluinbus was now poor and had lost his friends. His best friend, (^ueen Isabella, had died and the Ivino- would not help him. His last days were full of sorrow. He died at the age of seventy. His body was taken from Spain and buried in one of the islands of the West Indies wdiich he had discovered. CHAPTEE 11. HOW THE NEW WORLD GOT ITS NAME, 12. Americus Vespucius Explores Coast of South America. — Columbus died without finding out that the land he had discovered was really a new conti- nent. Other men made voyages to the new world but they also thought it was part of Asia. One of these men was a friend of Christopher Columbus. His name was Americus Vespucius. He made a voyage to what we now call South America and sailed for many miles along the coast. He wrote letters telling about the wonderful thino;s he had seen. These letters were printed in Europe and many people read them. 13. The Naming of the New Continent. — About that time a German professor wrote a geography. He said that the land which Americus had discovered was really a new continent. He thought that it ought to be named after Americus. Many other people thought so too. In this way the name Amer- ica was given to the new world. At first the name was given to South America only, but later it was used for North America also. Americus Vespucius. 13 14 HISTOKY FKIMER. Many people think that the name shoukl have been C^ohimbia after Cohinibus wlio really discovered it. In some son^s and poems the name Co- lumbia is used. But the name America has ])een used so loner that it is not likely it will ever be changed. The maps of the New World that were printed after the dis- co \'ery of America seem very queer to us indeed. T hey show how little the explorers of those days really k n e w about the great con- FTRST MAP OF THF SEW VOKLD WITH TIIK NAMK AMERICA APPLIED TO BOTH CONTl>iENTS Mcrcator IWl tinent that^had been discovered. By the time America recei^ ed its name, more had been learned about the new country, and better maps of it were made. CHAPTER III. FERDINAND MAGELLAN. 14. Trying to Find a Passage Way Through America. — For some years after the new world had been discovered and named, people still believed it Avas near the shores of India. They wished to find a passage way through which they could sail to India. (3ne of the men who tried to do this was named Ferdinand Magellan. Like Columbus he was a bold sailor. When he made up his mind to do anything he would never give up. 15. Magellan Finds aWay to the Pacific Ocean. — He started from Spain as Colum- bus had done. He sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and alono; the coast of South America. At last he discovered a strait near the southern end of the continent. This is the only passage way through America that has ever been discovered. It has been named after him the Strait of Magellan. 15 Ferdinand Magellan. 16 IIISTOKY PKIMEK. After sailing through this strait the sailors found themselves upon another broad ocean. Magellan named it the Pacific Ocean because it seemed so peaceful. 16. Magellan Crosses the Pacific Ocean.— It took Jfe '5 Fight between Explorers and Natives. many weary weeks to cross the Pacific Ocean. The sailors had not enough to eat and drink. Many of them fell sick and died. Some would not obey Magellan's orders. FERDINAND MAGELLAN. . 17 In spite of all, Magellan would not turn back, and at last they reached the shores of Asia. This was the land which Columbus thought he had dis- covered. 17. The Death of Magellan.— Magellan and his men landed on the shores of some islands that are now called the Philippines. They set up a cross and gave presents to the savage people they found there. But these people were not friendly like the Indians Columbus had met. There was a bloody fight be- tween the natives and the sailors. Magellan and many of his men were killed. 18. What the Voyage Proved.— A few sailors es- caped in one of the ships. They kept on sailing west and at last reached Spain. They had been gone three years. Five ships with 250 men had started out. One ship and 15 men were all that returned. They were the first to sail all the way around the world. This great voyage proved that America was a new continent and not a part of Asia, It also proved that the earth is really round. The ship had kept on sailing west all the time and came back to the place it started from. CHAPTER IV. THE INDIANS. 19. White Men make Homes in America. — After awliile the people of Europe gave up tlie idea of find- ing a short pas|sage way through America to India. They now tried to find out more about America itself. Some bold sailors m a d e voyages t o America in search of gold and silver. Other men wished to m ak e homes f o r themselves in the new world. They brought their fami- lies with them, cut down trees, built houses and started to fiirm the land. 20, Troubles with the Indians. — The Indians who lived on this land were at first friendly with the white people. But 18 An Indian. THE INDIANS. 19 thej became angry when tliey found the white men were drivmg them from their hunting grounds. Before very long there were bloody wars between the Indians and the whites. 21. What the Indians looked like. How they Dressed. — The Indians were large and strong. They had copper-colored skin and straight, black hair. Incliun Wig-warns. The women wore their hair long. The men shaved their heads but left a little tuft on top. They called this the scalp lock. ''■/ Their clothes were made of the skins of deer and other animals. Thev wore a kind of shoe made of buckskin. They called them moccasins. They were 20 HISTORY PRIMER. good for hunting. The Indians could sneak through tiie woods very quietly in them. In winter the Indians fastened large, flat snow shoes on their feet. With these shoes they could walk upon the snow without sinking in too deep. 22. Wigwams and Canoes. — The Indians lived in tents called wigwams. The wiffwams were made of skins and bark stretched on a frame-work of poles. Fires Avere sometimes built on the earthen floor of the wigwams. There was no chimney. The smoke found its Avay out through an opening at the top of the tent. When the Indians moved from one place to another, they carried their wigwams with them. The Indians made Snow Shoes. light, StrOUg CaUOCS out Indian Weapons. THE INDIANS. 21 of the bark of the birch tree. They paddled them swiftly and quietly over lakes and rivers. The canoes were so light that they could be easily picked up and carried around dangerous rapids. 23. Weapons and Tools. — Before the white men came to this country the Indians had uo guns. They used bows and arrows. The strings of the bows were made from the sinews of animals. The heads of the arrows were made of sharpened pieces of hard stone. Feathers were fastened to the other end of the arrows to make them go straight. They did not know anything about iron, so all their tools and weapons were made of stone. They made a kind of hatchet called a tomahawk by tying a large piece of sharpened stone to a strong wooden handle. In war throw the tomahawk at their enemies. 24. Indian Warfare — The Indians were good fighters. They painted their bodies and faces so as to make themselves look as fierce as possible. When they killed a man in battle they tore off his scalp. The Indian who had taken the largest num- ber of scalps was thought to be the greatest warrior. A Tomahawk. they would 22 HISTORY PRIMER. The Indians were brave but cruel. They thought men should be able to stand great i)ain Avithout cry- J^ Indians Torturing' White Man. THE INDIANS. 23 ing out. When they captured an enemy they would cut or ])urii him, or torture him in other cruel Avays. If he cried out they would make fun of him and call him a "woman" or '' squaw." 25. How the Indians Lived. — The Indians got most of their food by hunting and fishing. Some of the tribes planted and raised corn. They also grew tobacco. The Indians taught the Avhite men how to raise corn. They also taught them to smoke tobacco.. The Indian men did the hunt- ing and fighting, but the farming and all the other hard work was done by the women. AATien an Indian village moved to another place, it was the women who took down the wigwams and carried them and all their other goods to the new camping ground. The women then set up the wigwams again while the men sat by idly watching them. This seemed strange to the white men who would have been ashamed to allow women to do this kind of w^ork. An Indian baby was called a papoose. A papoose was so bundled up that it could hardly Squaw and Papoose. 24 HISTORY rRlMER. move. Tt was carried strapped to its mother's back so that the woman's hands were free. 20. Picture Writing.— The Indians couhl not write but they could draw pictures pretty well. When they wanted to write a k'tter they used pictures instead Indians in Canoe, Fishing-. of words. This })icture writing woukl be hard for you or me to read but the Indians could understand it. THE INDIANS. 25 Some Indians once gave William Penu a belt made of beads. It had on it the picture of an Indian and a white man, hand in hand. This was the Indian's way of writing that they and the white men were to be good friends. Penn's Belt. 27. Government and Religion A number of Indian families living: top-ether formed a tribe. Each tribe had its chief. The chief was always one of the strongest and bravest men of the tribe. The people obeyed his orders and he was their captain or leader in times of war. The Indians worshipped a Great Spirit. They also believed in evil spirits. They thought that when a brave warrior died he went to the Happy Hunting Grounds. They buried his bow and arrows 26 HISTORY PRIMER. with him. Thev thouaht he would need them iu the Happy liuiitiiig Grounds. Indian Pipe. CHAPTER V. SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 28. Raleigh Sends Ships to America. — Walter Raleigh was a young Englishman. He thought that America ought to be settled by people from England. Queen Eliz- abeth was at that time ruler of Enoland. She was very friendly to Walter Raleiffh and helped him to carry out his plans. Raleigh sent out ships to try to find a good place for a settle- ment. When the cap- tains of the ships came back to England they told interesting stories about the new country. Queen Elizabeth was so much pleased with what Raleigh had done that she made him a knight. He was then called Sir Walter Raleigh. 27 Sir Walter Raleigh. 28 HISTORY PRIMER. The part of America which Ilaleigh's men had visited was named " Virginia" iu honor of Ehzabeth the vira'in (unmarried) queen. - 29. The First Settlement Fails. — II a 1 e i . Why the Pilgrims went to America. — The Dutch people treated their new neighbors very well but the Euglishmeu were not satisfied. They felt strange among their Dutch neighbors- They were afraid their children w o u 1 d grow u p speaking the Dutch language instead of the English. They were still Englishmen a n d wanted to live on land owned by Mayflow^er. England. So they made up their minds to leave Holland and sail for America. They were called Pilg^rims on ac- count of their wanderings from place to place. 44. The Voyage of the Mayflower. — Over 100 of these Pilgrims, men, women and children, started for the new world on a ship called the Mayflower. An English soldier, Captain Myles Stan dish, went with the Pilgrims. He was a little man, but he was Myles Standish. THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS. 39 brave and strong. He was as great a help to the Pilgrhns as John Smith had been to the Virginia set- tlers. The Mayflower had a long and stormy voyage. At last it reached the shores of America. 45. The Landing of the Pilgrims ( 1620).— When the Pilgrims landed they first stepped npon a flat rock lying at the water's edge. This is now known as ]?lymouth Rock. It is not very large, bnt it is one of the most famous rocks in the world. Hundreds of people visit it every year. 40. The First Winter — It Avas just before Christ- mas when the Pilgrims landed. The men got to work at once and built some rough log houses. The weather was very cold and the country looked bare and dreary. It was the beginning of a severe winter. It was very diflerent from the mild weather they had been used to in England. To make matters worse, the Pilgrims did not have enoup-h food to eat. Before that terrible winter was over most of the people became sick, and about half of them died. Captain Standish did all he could to help the people in their trouble. He was a kind nurse, as well as a brave soldier. That winter must have seemed a long and dreary one to the suflering Pilgrims, but at last spring came. Green grass and pretty flowers took the place of the 40 HISTORY PRIMER. snow. The Pilgrims now began to hope that their worst troubles were over. 47. A Visit from the Indians — One day the set- tlers were surprised to see some Indians coming to Friendly Visit from the Indians. visit them. One of the Indians called out '' Welcome, welcome," to show that they were friendly. He knew only a few English words. He had learned them from another Indian named Squanto who could speak English very well. Squanto had been taken to Eng- THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS. 41 land and afterwards brought back to his native hmd. 48. The Pilgrims Make Friends with the Indians. — These Indians belonged to a tribe whose chief was named Massasoit. He came to see the white men who had settled in his country. Massasoit and the governor of the Pilgrims made a solemn promise that the white men and the red men would be friendly to each other. This promise was kept for more tlian fifty years. The friendshi}) of the Indians was a good thing for the Pilgrims. Squanto and the other Indians taught them how to plant corn and where to catch fish. 49. A Plentiful Harvest — The Pilgrims worked hard and by the end of summer their crops were growing finely. In the autumn they had a large har- vest. They had plenty of food now — so much that they could lay by a great deal for the coining winter. The Pilgrims remembered their sufierings of the first winter and were filled with joy to think how much better off they were now. They were a very religious people and gave thanks to God for the bless- ings He had sent them. 50. The First Thanksgiving.— The Pilgrims thought it would be a good plan to set aside a day 42 HISTORY PRIMER. for feasting and thanksgiving. They even invited the Indians to share their feast with them. When the day came they had })lenty to eat. There were roast turkeys, ducks and geese, corn bread and pumpkin pie. Although the Indians were invited guests they brought deer and fish with them to help the feast along. There were three days of feasting and merry making. Before each meal the Pilgrims offered thanks to God. In the afternoons they played games and ran races. In the evening they gathered around great log fires and talked and sang. Perhaps there has never been a happier or jollier Thanksgiving than this first one. After this the Pilgrims set aside a day every year for giving thanks to God. • At first only the Pilgrims kept Thanksgiving Day. After awhile people in other parts of the country followed their example. Thanksgiving Day is now a regular holiday in all parts of our country. The President names the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day for all the people. 51. Troubles with the Indians. — There were some tribes of Indians who were not so friendly to the Pilgrims as Massasoit's tribe. Canonicus, another chief, hated both Massasoit and the Pilgrims. One day Canonicus tried to frighten the white THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS. 43 HISTORY PRIMER. settlers. He sent the Governor a bundle of arrows wrapped up in the skin of a rattlesnake. This meant that his tribe wanted to fight the Pilgrims. But the Governor sent him a good answer. He filled the snake skin with powder and bullets and sent it back at once to Canonicus. The chief took the hint and left the Pilgrims alone. To protect themselves against the In- dians the Pilgrims built a tall, strong wooden fence around the little towai of Plymouth. They kept their eyes and ears open to guard against sudden attacks. On Sundays when they went to the meeting house each man carried his gun. Even when they knelt down to pray they had their guns beside them so as to be ready for the Indians at a minute's notice. 52. Captain Standish Teaches the Indians a Lesson At one time the In- dians were quietly getting ready to kill all the white settlers. Captain Standish with a party of men was sent against them. They had a fight with the Indians. They killed some of them and brought THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS. 45 the head of the chief back with them. This scared oii' the Indians and the settlement was saved. 53. Indian Wars. — Bat the Indians still gave the settlers a great deal of trouble. They did not fight in open battle but would shoot from behind trees. Sometimes they would enter the cabins, Avhen the men were at work in the fields, and kill the women and even the little children. There were some fierce and bloody wars, but at last the Indians were taught the lesson that the white men had come to stay. Little by little, as time went on, the Indians were driven far away into the wilder- ness. CHAPTER VIII. HENRY HUDSON. THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK. 54. The Dutch Send Henry Hudson to America. — John Smith had tried to find a passage way through America to the Pacific Ocean. AUhoiigh he did not succeed, he felt sure that there was such a passage. He sent letters and maps to friends in England to show where he thought this passage could be found. Henry Hudson, a great sea-captain, was a friend of John Smith. He was one of those to whom Smith had written about t h e passage thro u g h America to the Pacific Ocean. Henry Hudson was an Englishman. He was so well known as a good captain that he was hired by 46 Henry Hudson. HENRY HUDSON. 47 the Dutch to make a voyage in search of the short way to India. 55. Hudson Discovers New York Bay and the Hudson River — Hudson sailed in a ship named the Half-Moon. After a stormy voyage he found a broad bay that seemed to lead far into the country. This was the bay that we now call New York Bay. Half-Moon on the Hudson. Hudson sailed up the bay and found that it led to a beautiful broad river. On the western shore of the 48 HISTORY PRIMER. river, the bank formed a high rocky wall which ex- tended for about twenty miles up the river. The Palisades, as this rocky wall is now called, are famous for their beauty. Hudson named this beautiful stream '' The Great River, " but it did not keep that name. It was soon called Hudson liiver in honor of the captain who had discovered it. 50. Hudson's Voyage up the River — The water of the Hudson liiver is salty for many miles from its mouth. This made Captain Hudson think that per- haps it was a strait connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the passage way that he was trying to find. As Hudson sailed further up the river he noticed that it was becoming shallow. At last he could go no farther for fear that his ship would run aground. He had sailed up the river more than one hundred miles, and had reached the place where the city of Albany now stands. He had not found the passage he was seeking, so he turned back and sailed down the river. Later he returned to Holland to tell the Dutch about his voyage. 57. Fur Trade with the Indians Though Henry Hudson had not found a short way to India, he made a valuable discovery. Tliere was no gold nor silver along the banks of the Hudson, but there HENRY HUDSON. 49 were Indian hunters who had valuable furs taken from the animaLs they trapped. Hudson found that the Indians were friendly. 'J'hey were willing to trade their furs for hatchets, knives, beads and other trifles. 58. The Settlement of New Amsterdam When Hudson told the people of Holland about his dis- coveries they sent men over to trade with the Indians. The Dutch traders settled upon a long- nar- row island at the moutli of the Hudson River. This island was called Manhattan by the In- d i a n s. The Dutch bought the whole island from the m. Tliey gave the Indians about twenty-five dollars' wortli of hatchets, cloth, beads and other trifles in payment for it. The Dutch named their settlement New Amsterdam. This land is to-day worth many million dollars. It is where the great city of New York now stands. The Dutch were a quiet, peaceful, hard-working people. They kept their liouses neat and clean. The Indians were friendly with them and the settle- ment got along well. New Amsterdam (old print). 50 HISTORY PRIMER. 59. New Amsterdam Taken by the English — The English chiimecl the kind where the Dutch had settled, and sent some ships to take possession of it. The old Dutch governor, Peter Stuyvesant, hobbled Peter Stuyvesant and his Wooden Leg. around on his wooden leg and tried to get his soldiers to fight. The English had many more men than the Dutch. Tt seemed useless to fight, so the Dutch surrendered without a battle. When the English got possession of the town they changed its name to New York. This was in HENRY HUDSON. 51 honor of the Duke of York, a brother of the King of Enghind. 60. The Last Voyage of Henry Hudson — But what became of Henry Hudson 'I The year after lie discovered the Hudson river he made another voyage to America in search of the north-west passage. He sailed into the large bay that has been named after him. His ship was caught in the ice and he had to stay there several months. Hudson and his men did not have enough to eat. At last the men turned against Captain Hudson. They placed him and his son and a few others, who had taken his part, in a small boat and set it adrift. Captain Hudson and his compan- ions were never seen again. It is likely that they died of cold and starvation. CHAPTER TX. WILLIAM PENN AND THE FRIENDS. 61. The Friends Treated Badly in England.— The Pilgrims were not the only people who were treated badly in England on account of their religion. The Friends, or Quakers, as they are sometimes called, were also treated cruelly. They were beaten and put in prison. The Friends seemed to the other people of England to have queer notions. They did not believe in lighting and would not serve as soldiers. They thought one man was just as good as another, so they all dressed alike. A Quaker would not take oif his hat even in the presence of the King. 62. Penn's Plan to Help the Friends. — A young man named William Penn w^as a great leader of the Friends. He was not afraid to preach their religion 52 William Penn. WILLIAM PENN AND THE FRIENDS. 53 even though he was often put in prison for doing so. The English kept on treating the Quakers very badly. So at last Penn thought it would be a good plan to find a home for them in America. 03. The King Gives Pennsylvania to Penn. — The King of England owed Penn a large sum of money. He had but little money to spare, so he paid his debt by giving Penn a large piece of land in America. In honor of Penn's father the King called the land Pennsylvania. This means Penn's Woods. This land was worth very little in those days, but Penn was glad to get it. He thought it would be a good place for the (^)uakers to settle. 04. Settlement of Pennsylvania by the Quakers. — A number of Quakers were soon found who were glad of the chance to settle in Pennsylvania. They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and up Delaware Bay. They made a settlement (1681) on the Western bank of the Delaware Eiver. The next year William Penn himself came over wdth about one hundred more Quakers. They sailed up tlie Delaware River. William l^enii named the place where they landed Philadelphia. The word Philadelphia means " Brotherly Love." Penn used this name because he w^ished all the people who would live in this city to treat each other as brothers. 54 HISTORY PRIMER. 05. Penn Buys the Land from the Indians. — Penn believed in treating' everybody fairly. He tliouglit all men were brothers no matter what the color of their skin might be. He said the Indian was as good as the white man and ought to be treated just the same. As the Indians had been living in Pennsylvania before the white men came over, Penn said the land belonged to them. He thought it would be wrong to take their land without paying them for it. Penn ^^^^_s^ dians several thousand dol- lars' worth of hatchets, guns, b 1 a n- kets, b e a d s and o t h e r things in pay- ment for the land. 06. Penn's Treaty with the Indians — Penn and the Indians held a meeting under a wide-spreading elm-tree on the bank of the Delaware. Penn told the Indians that the red men and the white men were really one flesh and Treaty ■with the Indians. WILLIAM PENN AND THE FRIENDS. 55 blood and should live at peace with each other like brothers. The Indians had never been spoken to in this way before. They were greatly pleased. They promised that they would live at peace with the white settlers as lono* as the sun and moon would shine. C5 Cave-dwelling-s in River-bank. Penn gave the Indians presents and the Indians gave Penn a belt made of wampum. On this belt there was a picture of two men clasping hands. One had a hat on and was meant for William Penn. The other one was meant for an Indian chief. 56 HISTOEY PEIMER. Penn's treaty with the Indians was kept faithfully by Loth the red men and the (^)uakers. There were no Indian wars in Pennsylvania as there were in other parts of the country. This showed that the Indians were not such bad peoi)le after all. When the white people treated them well they were willing- to treat the white people well. 67. Early Settlers — Many of the first settlers lived for a time in caves which they du^r in the banks of the rive r. As soon as they they could, built log Early Philadelphia House. houses for them- selves. At first there were only a few houses. William Penn did not mean that Pennsylvania should be settled only by Quakers. He wanted people in all parts of the world who were treated badly in their own country to come here and be free. Many more people from many diiferent countries came to Philadelphia and the city grew rapidly. 68. Penn's Plan for Philadelphia Penn had WILLIAM PENN AND THE FRIENDS. 57 made a plan for the city. He wished it to have straight, broad streets. Many of the streets were named after the trees ; Chestnnt, Wahmt, Pine, etc. He wanted each house built by itself with a grassy lawn around it. He thought this would make the city beautiful. Besides this, fire could not spread easily if the houses were far apart. 69. Death of William Penn. — Penn helped the settlement in many other ways. It is no wonder that there was great sorrow when he died. The Indians as well as the white people felt they had lost a o-ood friend. Some of the red men sent Mrs. Penn a fine fur cloak. Tliis was to show her how dearly they loved her husband. Penn died nearly two hundred vears afro, but the people of Pennsylvania can never forget the good he did- The City Hall of Philadelphia has one of the highest towers in the world. On the top of this tower there is a large statue of William Penn. His hand is outstretched as if blessing the city he loved so well. statue of Penn. CHAPTER X. HOW THE ENGLISH COLONIES BECAME THE UNITED STATES. 70. The Thirteen English Colonies — We have now learned about four settlements in America. The first of these was Virginia, settled by John Smith and a company of Enolish " gentlemen." The second was New England, settled by the Pilo-rims. This was after- wards called Massachusetts. The third was New York, settled by the Dutch, and afterwards captured by the English. The last one we learned about was Pennsyl- vania, which was settled by William Penn and the Quakers. P)esides these colonies there were nine others, making thirteen altogether. Most of the people were Englishmen, and all the colonies belonged to England. 71. Governors Sent Over by the King of England — The King of England sent governors to 58 King Georg-e III. HOW COLONIES BECAME UNITED STATES. 59 most of the colonies. Only a few of the colonies were allowed to choose their own governors. The people had to obey all the laws made in England. Some of the governors sent over by the King did not treat the colonies fairly. The people hated these men, and wanted to choose their own governors. 72. The King Taxes the Colonies — The people of the colonies had other reasons to complain. The King of England needed money. So he tried to force his people in America to pay him taxes. This made them very angry. They thought the King had no right to take their money unless they were willing to give it. One of the ways the King tried to raise money from the people of the colonies was to put a tax on tea. This would make them pay a higher price for every pound of tea which they bought. The extra money was to be sent to the King of England. But he could not catch the people this way. They would not buy the tea. They said they would rather do without tea than pay the tax to the King. 73. The Boston Tea Party — A ship load of tea was sent to Boston. When they heard that the ship had arrived, a party of men in that city dressed them- selves up like Indians. They went on board the ship while it was anchored in the harbor. They broke open the chests and threw the tea overboard. 60 HISTOKY PKIMER. This was called the '' Boston Tea-party. " At most tea-parties water is poured upon the tea ; at this tea-party the tea was poured into the water. This bold act made the Kino: ^B very angry. He tried to punish the people of Boston by making a law that no ships could enter or leave the harbor of Throwmgr over the Tea. Boston until the tea should be paid for. He also sent soldiers to make the people obey the laws. 74. The Other Colonies Take Sides with Boston. — All these things only made the people more angry. The other col- onies thought that the Boston people were rio^ht and took sides with them against the King. If the King of England had been wise he would have paid more atten- Engiish soldier. ^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ complaluts of thc Auicr- HOW COLONIES BECAME UNITED STATES. 61 ican people. He had not sense enoug'li to do this, but kept on trying to make them obey his unfair hiws. 75. The Colonies Begin to Think About Sepa= rating From England.— At last the people saw that there was no use trying to get fair treatment from Independence Hall. England. They said, ''If we cannot get along with England, we will try to get along without her!" It was decided that each of the colonies should 62 HISTOKY PRIMEK. send some men to hold meetings in Philadelphia. Meetings were held in Carpenters Hall and in the State House, now called Independence Hall, at Fifth and Chestnut Streets. Signing the Declaration. 70. Declaration of Independence. — Tn the State House on the Fourth of July, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was agreed upon. This famous paper was written by Thomas Jefferson, and signed by all those present at the meeting. It declared that the colonies were now independent. This meant that they no longer belonged to England, but were free and would rule themselves. HOW COLONIES BECAME UNITED STATES. 63 Instead of English colonies tliey now called them- selves The United States of America. 77. How the People Received the News. — There was great joy among the people when they heard that the Declaration of Independence had been sio^ned. Bells were runo:, and bonfires were liohted. The Declaration was read to thousands of people and to the soldiers in the American army. When the people heard the news in New York they pulled OF A M ERl CA dy. Ge.rJ.^ HU. ncrw^/yi t^ fha^ ca^-il /xs, "^^^M^asrolSKHaj^BabrtfiwCUrri. -& 'top^ 'nyv^AJln\J^ Jl 'Vv^a/vJui/ru) ■■^^iUALyrt^ ykodt Hum ykirSi) c(e^i£cy*e, mc Ca.ti'ti^ Part of Declaration of Independence. [In Jeffersou'3 Writing.] down a leaden statue of the King. They melted it and made it into bullets. 78. The Colonies Ready to Fight. — The people knew that England would not let her colonies go without a hard fight to keep them. The Americans had stood the King's bad treatment long enough. They were ready to fight. Most of them felt as 64 HISTORY PRIMER. Patrick Heniy did. He said in a famous speech, " Give me liberty or give me death." Pulling Down the Statue of George III. 79. Our Nation's Birthday— The Fourth of July. — The Fourtli of July has been kept as a holiday ever since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Every boy and girl knows what it means to have a birth- day party. On that day friends make them presents, and they have a jolly time playing games and eating good things. The Fourth of July is the Patrick Henry. HOW COLONIES BECAME UNITED STATES. 65 birthday of the United States. The people all over the eountiy have a holiday. Flags fly from pub- Kc buildings and from many houses. Speeches are made, and the Declaration of Independence is read to crowds of people. Boys and girls enjoy them- selves setting off fire works. It is the greatest Amer- ican holiday. C) H A P T E R X I . GEORGE WASHINGTON. 80. Washington Made Commander=in=Chief. — There had been some fighting between tlie American and Enghsh soldiers even before the Declaration of Independence was made. After the fourth of Jnly the Americans knew that a long, bloody war would have to be fought with England. They chose George Washington to be the leader of their army, or commander-in-chief. George Washington is such a famous man in the history of our country that we should study the story of his life. 81. Washington's Boyhood.— George Washing- ton was born in Virginia on February 22nd, 1732. His father died when George was only eleven years old. His mother was left to take care of him and four otlier children all younger than George. To bring up these ^ve little children without their father to help her must have been a hard task for Mrs. Washington. But slie knew liow to make them obey her and slie taught them all to be respect- ful, orderly and truthful. 66 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 67 The stories of George's early life show how much he owed to the careful training that his mother gave him. If she had not been such a true and noble woman, we might never have heard of George Wash- in o-ton at all. Washing-ton and the Colt. 82. The Story of Washington and the Colt.— There is a story which shows how carefully his mother taught him to speak the truth. There was a wild young colt on the farm. It had never been broken. It was large and beautiful and Mrs. Washington liked it better than any of her gg HISTORY PRIMER. horses. Almost everybody was afraid of the colt, but George made up his mind to tame it. One day he got some playmates to help him catch the colt. He then slipped on the bit and bridle and jumped on the angry animal's back. Off they went, as fast as the colt could run. The colt tried hard to throw its rider. It grew Avilder and wilder, but (xcorge held on tight. At last it made one great jump and fell down dead. The colt had burst a blood-vessel. George knew that his mother would be very angry when she heard al)out the death of her colt. When the boys came in to breakfast she asked if her horses Avere being Avell taken care of. They all looked at each other, afraid to speak. At last George said, ''The colt is dead, Madam; I killed him. " At first jMrs. Washington was very angry. He then told the whole story and his mother said, " I am sorry that the colt is dead, but I am glad my boy always speaks the truth. " 83. School Days.^Washington studied hard at school. Some of his copy books have been kept to this day. They show how neat and orderly he was. In one of them there are over a hundred rules of conduct. Here are some of them: " Think before you speak. " " Speak not evil of the ahaent for it Is nnjtist. " " Eat not ivitli (greediness, neither Jiud fault ivith ivhat yon eat. " GEORGE WASHINGTON. 69 Thinking about rules like these and trying to keep them helped to make Washington a great man. George was a big strong boy for his age. People Extract from Washington's Cyft^^ "l^^/^Z/Z/^ Copy Book. to-day show the spot wdiere they say lie threw a stone across the Rappahannock River. He was also a good runner and wrestler. George Avas a leader among his playmates. When they i)layed soldier he was generally captain. He was looked up to by the other boys and often settled their quarrels for them. 84. The Young Surveyor, — Washington left school when he was about IG Acars of ag-e. He learned how^ to measure land and did a great deal of tliis kind of w^ork. l^'avelhng over the country he found out a great deal about the streams and forests and studied the 70 HISTORY PRIMER. ways of animals. He also learned the habits of the Indians who were then livincr in Virsrinia. 85. Washington Sent on an Important Errand. — The Governor of Virginia wanted to send an im- portant m e s- Washington Surveying-. sage to a French fort on Lake Erie- Tins was hun- dreds of miles a w a J. A 1- thongh Wash- ington was only twenty- one years old, the governor chose him to go on this errand. It was late in November when Washino^ton and six others started off on their dangerous trip. They had a hard time getting to the French fort. At last they reached it, and Washington gave the message to the commander. When they received the answer, the party started on the journey back to Virginia. 86. The Dangerous Homeward Journey. ^ — Wash- ington was in a hurry to get the French com- mander's message back to the governor. He went ahead with one of the men. The others were left to GEORGE WASHINGTON. 71 come on more slowly with the horses and baggage. It was now winter and the weather was very cold. When Washington and his companion reached the Allegheny River it was partly frozen, and large blocks of ice Avere rushing down the stream. The only tool they had was a hatchet, and it took them all day to make a raft. While cross- ing the stream the ice jammed again s t the raft, and Washington was thrown into the icy Av^ater. He managed to climb aboard the raft [, again. At last they reached an island where theV were Washington crossing- the Allegheny. obliged to spend the night. What a terrible night that must have been ! They had not even a fire to i dry their wet clothing. Instead of a soft, warm bed they had only the frozen ground to lie upon, i Next mornino- the river was frozen solid, and they were able to w^alk across. I At last they reached the governor's home, and I Washington gave him the answer to his message. 72 HISTORY PRIMER. The governor made Washington a Colonel in the army as a reward for his bravery. 87. The War with the French and Indians. — Soon after this a war broke out between the Eiipiish and the French in America. England sent General Braddock with a large number of English soldiers or red-coats, as they were called, to drive the French otf the land that Eno-land claimed as her own. Washington was C^olonel of a Virginia regiment. He and his men joined Braddock's army. In this war the Indians were helping the French. Braddock and his English soldiers did not know the Indians' way of fighting. Washington warned Brad- dock that the Indians were cunning and tricky. Instead of lighting face to face, as the English were used to doing, they would hide behind trees and rocks and lie in wait for their enemies. 88. Braddock's Defeat.— Braddock would not follow Washington's advice. He marched his army through the woods with banners flying and drums beating. Suddenly the enemy fired a great volley of bul- lets and killed and wounded manv of tlie Eno^hsli soldiers. Braddock's men formed in line to give battle, but did not know where to shoot, as the French and Indians could not be seen. The Virginians were the only ones who knew GEORGE WASHINGTON. 73 74 HISTOKY PKIMEK. what to do. They jumped behind trees and com- menced to fight Indian fashion. General Braddock and hundreds of his men were killed. Washington rode about on horseback giving orders to the men. Bullets tore through his clothing and horses were killed under him, but he escap- ed unhurt. It is strange that he was not killed. It s e eme d as though God was saving him to lead his country in the War for I n d e p e n d- ence. 89. General Wolfe and the Capture of Quebec. — The last battle of the French and Indian War was the taking of Quebec. This city stood upon a high George Washington. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 75 bluff and was almost surroimded by water. It was thought that no army would be able to capture it. General Wolfe was the leader of the English army. He discovered a rugged pathway leading to the top of the high cliff where the French had their army. One night Wolfe's army quietly climbed u\) this pathway. The French were surprised next morning to see the English soldiers facing them. In the battle that followed the French were beaten. Both General Wolfe and the French Commander Mont- calm were killed. The capture of Quebec ended the war and made the English the masters of America. 90. Washington Leads the Americans in Their War for Freedom. — After the French and Indian War, Washino-ton was the best known soldier in the colo- nies. When the trouble began with England he was chosen to command the American Army. He was commander-in-chief of the American armies all through the War for Independence. He was a brave general, and his men loved and respected him. The war lasted eight years. At last England gave up the fight and the United States became a free nation. Washington now went back to Mt. Vernon to live in peace and quietness in his country home. 91. Washington Chosen President.— Washing- ton had done great things for his country, but the people needed him again. They chose him to be 76 HISTORY PRIMER. the first President of tlie United States. Four years later tliey chose him again. He ruled the country wisely, and the people wanted to elect him a third time,. He thought no man should be President more than two terms, so he refused to serve again. ^"^, "-^ HJIlJll Washing'ton at Mount Vernon. 92. Death of Washington.— A few years later he died at Mt. Vernon. He is often spoken of as the '' Father of his Country. " It has been well said of him, that '' he was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. " CHAPTEE XII. PAUL REVERE^S RIDE AND THE BATTLE INGTON. OF LEX- 93. Minute Men.— When the news of the Boston tea-party reached England, the King sent General Gage and a number of soldiers to Boston. This looked like war, and the Am- ericans got ready to tight. As they did not know when the fighting might begin they formed com- panies of men who were to be ready at a minute's notice. These were called " Minute men. " 94. General Gage Plans to Capture the American Stores. — The Americans now collected all the powder, ball, guns, and cannon that they could get. General Gage heard that they had stored some of these things in Concord, a little town near Boston. He made up his mind to send soldiers there to cap- ture or destroy the powder and guns belonging to the Americans. Minute Man. 78 HISTORY PRIMER. General Gage tried to keep his plan secret, but some Americans found it out. One of these was a young man named Paul Revere. 95. Paul Revere's Ride.— On the night that the British were going to start , Paul Revere stood ready with a good horse to gallop through the country and rouse the people. A friend kept watch in a high church tower in Boston on the other side of the river. He was to hang out lan- terns as a signal to Paul Revere and other riders, to tell them which way the British were going. As soon as they saw the signal light they mounted their horses and galloped through the country in every direction. As they rode along they shouted to the startled people, " The British are coming. " Soon the news spread through the country. The Paul Revere's Ride. PAUL REVERE'S RIDE AND THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 79 " Minute men " came running out. When the British did come they found the Americans waiting for them. 96. The Battle of Lexington.— At Lexington, on the road to Concord, there was some fighting between the British soldiers and a small company of " Minute Battle of Lexington. men. " This was the first real fighting of the war. Some Americans were killed. Tlie British then marched on to Concord. Here they destroyed some of the powder and shot, and also some flour belonging to the Americans. They also 80 HISTORY PRIMER. set fire to the court-house. The British soldiers then began their march back to Boston. Meanwhile the whole country had been aroused. ^' Minute men " and farmers were pouring in from all sides. All along the road the Americans fired at the red- Concord Bridge. coats from behind walls and trees and haystacks. More than three hundred of the British were killed. This fight is generally called the Battle of Lex- ington. It was really the beginning of the War for Independence. CHAPTER XIII. THE AMERICAN ARMY AT VALLEY FORGE. 97. The British Capture Philadelphia.^As the war went on, England sent many generals and thonsands of soldiers to fight the Americans. Wash- ington had only a small army, and it was poorly clothed and fed. A number of severe battles were fonght. At last the British army entered Philadelphia. Washing- ton's men fonght bravely, but they could not keep the British out of the city. 98. Washington Retreats to Valley Forge. — When the British entered Philadelphia, Washington led his army to Valley Forge, about twenty miles away. Here they spent the winter. There were no houses for the soldiers, and the weather was too cold for them to live in tents. Washington set the men to work to build log houses. These were small and rough, with only the bare ground for a floor. A dozen men were crowded into each log hut. These rude houses were poor places to spend a bitter winter season. 6 81 82 HISTORY PRIMER. 99. Sufferings of the Americans. — The winter was a very cold one, and the ground was covered with snow. Valley Forge. The clothing of the men was torn and ragged. Some of them had worn-ont shoes. Others had no shoes at all, but used pieces of blanket instead. THE AMERICAN ARMY AT VALLEY FORGE. 8.3 Their feet became bruised and cut, and often left blood marks upon the snow. Food Avas very scnrce. The soldiers did not have enough to eat for themselves, and they could get hardly anything for their horses. Many of these faith- ful animals starved to death, and the men had to do their work. They harnessed themselves to sleds, and dragged heavy loads over the snow to their log huts. 100. How Washington Helped His Men.— Some of the farmers nearby liad been selling grain and other provisions to the British army in Philadelphia. Washington made them stop this. He forced them to supply his hungry soldiers Avitli food. Many of the men became discouraged and wanted to desert. Washington did his best to cheer up his down-hearted soldiers. In spite of their terrible sufferings he managed to keep the army together. If Washington had not been a great general, loved by his men, he could not have done this. 101. The British in Philadelphia.— While the sick and half-starved American army were suffering at Valley Forge, the Avell-fcd British soldiers were en- joying themselves in Philadelphia. They had good houses to live in, and had jolly times in the (^hiaker city. They passed the winter like a pleasant holiday. 102. Baron Steuben Helps to Drill the American Army. — Luckily, toward the end of the winter a great 84 HISTORY PRIMER drill master from Germany came to help the Ameri- cans at Valley Forge. His name was Baron Steuben. Steuben Drilling' American Soldiers. Washington got him to drill the American army. Steuben was a good teacher, and the soldiers learned their lessons well. They soon gave up their careless habits, and learned to obey orders, to stand up straio^ht and to march in o-ood order. This drilling was just what the soldiers had needed. When spring came, Washington had a good fighting army in spite of the hard winter they had passed. CHAPTER XIV. BETSY ROSS AND THE AMERICAN FLAG. 103. Our Flag.— All American boys and girls know their country's flag. It has thirteen stripes (seven red and six white), one for each of the first thirteen states. In the corner it has forty-five white stars on a blue field. There is a star for every state in the Union. Whenever a new state is admitted to the Union anotlier star is added to the flag. 104. FSags of the Colonies.— But we did not alwavs have this beautiful flao-. When the thirteen colonies belonged to England, the Union Jack or Eno-lish flao^ was their flag also. Besides this, each colony had a flag or banner of its own. So there were many different flags in the colonies Rattlesnake Flag-. 105. First Flags in the American Army. — When the fio-htiup; bep-an between Eno-laud and her colonies there were about a dozen different kinds of flags car- ried in the American army. On some of the flags there was a picture of a 85 86 HISTORY PRIMER. rattlesnake with thirteen rattles. Under the rattle- snake there were the words, " Don't tread on me. " Tiie troops from some of the northern colonies carried a flag with the picture of a pine tree on it. 106. The American Flag Adopted. — As the war went on, Washington Pine Tree Flag. wanted to liavc oiic kiiid of flag for the whole army. The flag which was to stand for the United States on land and sea was agreed upon June 14th, 1777, in the State House in Philadelphia. This was about two years after the war began. Tliis flag was just like our flag today except that it had only thirteen stars instead of forty-five. The stars were arranged in a circle. 107. The Story of Betsy Ross.— The first x\meri- can flag was made by a woman who lived in Phila- delphia. Her name was Betsy Eoss. She was famous for her good sewing. She used to make flags for sea-captains. It is said that once she made a fine rufiled shirt for Washington. When the new United States flag was adopted, Betsy Ross was asked to make one. The story is told that Washington and some other gentlemen called to see Betsy Ross about making the flag. When they asked her if she would do it she answered, " I do not know whether I can, but I'll try. " BETSY ROSS AND THE AMERICAN FLAG. 87 Washington thought that a six-pointed star should be used in the flag. Betsy Ross thought a five- pointed star would be better because it would be different from the stars on the English flag. Betsy Ross and the Flag Committee. '' Mrs. Ross, " said Washington, " don't you think that would be too hard to make *? " " Not at all, " said Betsy. " It is very easy. " She then folded a piece of paper and gave it one quick snip with her scissors. When she unfolded 88 HISTORY PRIMER. the paper, she had a perfect five-pointed star. Wash- ington and the other men were greatly pleased. They told Betsy to use the live-pointed stars and finish the flag as soon as she could. 108. Betsy Ross's House,— The house in which Betsy Ross lived and made the first flag is still stand- ing. It is No. 239 Arch St., Philadelphia. It is an old-fashioned little house, two and a half stories high. Many people visit it every year to see the house where the first flag was made. 109. Flag Day.— It was on the 14th of June, 1777, that our country's flag was adopted. On this ac- count, the 14th of June is now called '^ Flag Day. " In Philadelphia and in many other places. Flag Day is cele- wave over our school Ross House and nibL American i^ lag. brated every year. Flags BETSY ROSS AND THE AMERICAN FLAG. g^ houses and other })nblic buildings, and from the windows of many homes. In Philadelphia hundreds of school children visit Betsy Ross's home on this day. The story of the flag is told in the schools, and the " Star-Spangled Banner " and other patriotic songs are sung. CHAPTER XV. THE STORY OF LYDIA DARRAH. 110. American Women During the War. — When we study about the War for Independence it seems as though everything Avas done by the men. We must not forget that while the men were fighting in the army, their wives and families were left at home. The women had to work very hard to take care of the children without the help of their husbands. Many men who went to the war Avere killed in battle. Their poor wives and children never saw them again. 111. Lydia Darrah.— The women as well as the men were anxious to win the hght against England. There was one woman in Philadelpliia who helped the Americans at a time when they greatly needed help. Her name was Lydia Darrah. Lydia was the wife of a (Quaker school teacher. She used to nurse the sick. Many people in l?hila- delphia knew and loved her, because she was so kind and tender hearted. 90 THE STORY OF LYDIA DARRaH. 91 Lydia Darrah's House. 112. Meetings Held in Lydia Darrah's House. — When the British army was spending the winter in Philadelphia some of the officers held meet- ings in a back room in Lydia Darrah's house. They chose this room because they coukl meet there quietly and make secret plans without fear of being dis- turbed. 113. Lydia Over= hears the British Plans. — One afternoon they told Lydia Darrah to have the room ready by seven o'clock that evening. One of the officers said to her : " Be sure to have your family go to bed early. When we are ready to go, I shall let you know so that you can put out the candles. " Lydia thought this was a strange order but said she would do as she was told. She was afraid the British officers were getting ready to make a secret attack on the American army at Valley Forge. The Darrah family went to bed early as Lydia had promised. She was so worried that she did not undress. She threw herself on the bed but did not go to sleep. 92 HISTORY PRIMER. When all was still, Lydia slipped off lier shoes and went quietly to the door of the meeting room. She could hear the British otheers talking over their plans. She heard them say that they were going to slip out quietly at night to surprise and capture Washington's army. Lydia had heard enough. She crept softly back to bed. In a little while one of the officers knocked on her door. She pretended to be asleep. After he had knocked again, she got up, put on her shoes, and came to the door yawning, as if only half awake. When the British officers left the house Lydia put out the lights. She went back to bed but could not sleep. She made up her mind that she would keep the secret even from her family and friends. She meant to let Washington know as soon as pos- sible. 114. Washington Warned of His Danger. — Early in the morning, l^ydia Darrah told her husband that she must go to the mill to buy some flour. The flour mill Avas five miles away. At last she reached it and left her sack to be filled. She then hurried on. Luckily she soon met a scout from Washington's army. She told him her secret and hurried back to the mill for her flour. The scout rode ofl" as fast as he could to warn AVashington of the danger. THE STORY OF LYDIA DARRAII. 93 115. The British Plan Fails.— The Biitisli caiiied out their jilaiis as tar as they could. They inarched oti' quietly in the darkness. At last they reached the place where they expected to s u r p r i s e W ashington and his men. But they did not catch the m nap- ping . They f o u n d the army ready for a fio:ht. Their plans h a d failed, and they marched back disgusted. They wondered how their plans had been found out. Of course Lydia Darrali knew but she said nothing. Lydia Darrah and the Scout. CHAPTER XVI. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 116. How Franklin Helped to Win Independence. — There were some Americans who did not join the army, but who helped their country in other ways. Benjamin Franklin was one of these men. He Avas nearly seventy years old when the war began, but he Avas not too old to work for his country. He helped to write the Declaration of In- dependence and he was not afraid to sign it. He went to France to get the King to help America in her iip-ht o Benjamin Franklin. a^Xaiust F U P" 1 a U d. Franklin was well liked by the King and people of France. He got the King to lend the Americans 94 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 95 a large sum of money, and to send over warships and soldiers to light on the American side. 117. Franklin's Autobiography.— Franklhi did many other great things in his long and useful life. He wrote a book in which he told the story of his life. You will enjoy reading this l^ook when you are older. Here we can tell you only a little of the story of Franklin's life^ 118. The Boyhood of FranI<:Hn.— He was born in Boston, about two hundred years ago. He had many brothers and sisters for he was the youngest of seventeen children. As a boy, he was a leader among his playmates. The shore around the pond where they went fishing was lovv^ and swampy. There was a pile of stones lying nearby where a house was being built. One evening when the workmen had gone home, Franklin got his playmates to help carry the stones and build a little wharf. When the workmen found out what had been done, they complained to Franklin's father. Benjamin made the excuse that the wharf was useful. It was needed to keep the boys from getting their feet wet. His father corrected him, and said, ''Nothing is useful that is not honest. " 119. Franklin Runs Away to Philadelphia. — Franklin worked for an older brother who had a 96 HISTOEY PRIMER. printing shop. His brother gave him poor pay and sometimes beat him cruelly. Franklin stood this as long as he could, but at last ran away. He was now seventeen years old. Although Franklin had been getting very small wages he had saved a little money. After a long a n d weary journey partly on foot and partly by boat, he reached Philadelphia. He had spent nearly all his money. He landed from the row-boat at Mar- ket St. wharf on a Sunday morning. He was tired, wet and hungry. The first thing he did was to go into a bakery shop Franklin walking up Market Street. n,nd buV tlirCC bi*^^*" puffy rolls. His pockets were stuffed with some clothes he had brought with him. So he walked up Market Street with a roll under each arm and eating the other one. He must have looked very funny as he tramped along. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 97 A young girl standing in a doorway laughed at him as he passed by. Her name Avas Deborah Head. Strange to say, some years after, she became his wife. 120. Franklin as a Printer.— Franklin soon got work in a printer's office in rhiladelphia. It was not long before he had a printing shop of his own. He published a news- paper and a fa m o u s almanac. It was called '' Poor Eichard's Alman- ac." Franklin filled the almanac with his wise sayings. Almost every- body to-day knows some of these sayings : " Earhj to bed, early to rise, ntalvcs a man healthy, ivealthy a)id wise.'''' " Keep thy shop, and thy shop will heep thee. " " Heaven helps them that help themselves. " 121. Franklin's Kite. — Franklin did many other useful things. He studied about electricity. He thought that lightning and electricity were the same Franklin's Kite Experiment. 98 HISTORY PRIMER. thing. To see whether he was right he made a kite out of a silk handkerchief. He fastened a pointed piece of wire to the top of the kite to draw the hghtning to it. One stormy night he flew his kite. He tied a key to the string and held the string by a silk thread. As a thunder cloud passed over the kite, he held his knuckles near the key. S p a r k s jumped from the key to his knuckle. He had proved that light- ning was only a kind of electricity. All over the world Franklin and his kite. the Lightning=Rod. — The statue of Franklin. people began to talk about 122. Franklin Invents Franklin learned more than this from his kite, pointed wire on it had drawn the lightning from the clouds. Why not use a long pointed wire, thought he, to save a house from being struck by light- BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 99 ning. So he invented the hghtning rod. This made him more famous than ever. 123. Other Things That Franklin Did. — It would take a large book to tell all that Franklin did. There were only open fire-places in those days, so Franklin invented a stove. The Philadelphia Library was started by him ; so was the University of Pennsylvania. He taught the people better ways to pave and light the streets. He started the first fire-engine company and the first hospital in Philadelphia. We have already learned how Franklin helped his country during the War for Independence. When the war was over, Franklin was one of the men who made the treaty of peace between England and the United States. 124. Franklin Honored by the World Many of the thino'S Franklin did were useful to the whole world as well as to his own country. In 1906, two hundred years after he was born, his birthday was celebrated in both America and Europe. The world does not forget men like Ben- jamin Franklin. LOf C, CHATTER XVII. STEPHEN GIRARD. 125. The War of 1812.— About thirty years after the War for Indepeiuleiice, another war broke out between England and the United States. It is gener- ally called the war of 1812 as it began in that year. The most important battles of this year were fought at sea. England had so many big w^arships that she was called Mistress of the Sea. The United States had a very small navy, but the American sail- ors were very good fighters. Our warships won many battles. 126. The British Capture Washington Eng- land had so many more warships than the United States that they were able to do a great deal of harm to the towns along the sea coast. In the summer of 1814 the British landed from some of their ships in Chesapeake Bay. They marched to the city of Washington, the capital of the United States. They captured the city and set fire to many of the public buildings. The American army had lost some other land battles. It began to look bad for our country. 100 STEPHEN GIRARD. 101 127. Stephen Girard Lends Money to the United States. — The g-overiiment ^vas now badly in need of money for the Army and Navy. It tried to l)orrow a larg-e sum from the people, bnt nearly everybody was afraid to lend any money. There was one man who was willing to help. His name was Stephen Girard. He was one of the richest men in the United States. He loaned the govern- ment nearly five mil- lion dollars. With- out this money the United States might not have been able to carry on the war. 128. Stephen Qirard's Early Life. — Stephen Girard had made his money by hard work and careful saving. The story of his life is interest- ing. He was born in France. As a boy lie did not have a very happy time. His step-mother treated statue of Stephen Girard. 102 HISTORY PRIMER. him badly and his father was very strict with him. Stephen wanted to leave home and go to sea. He went on a ship as cabin boy when he was only fourteen years old. He worked hard and became a good sailor. He was made captain of a ship when he was only twenty-three years old. 129. Qirard Becomes an American Citizen. He Grows Rich. — During the War for Independence Girard was captain of an American trading ship. He sailed up the Delaware River to escape being captured by British warships. He landed at Philadelphia. Here he sold his ship and opened a grocery store. Stephen (ifirard now became an American citizen, and lived in Philadelphia the rest of his life. He worked hard and saved his money. He became a ship builder and a great merchant. His ships traded in all parts of the world. He grew very rich. 130. Girard a Kind=liearted Man Stephen Girard worked hard himself and made his servants and the people he employed work hard. Some thought he was a harsh master, but lie really had a kuid heart. He was fond of little children, and was kind to animals. When hundreds of people in Philadelphia were dying of yelloAV fever, it was hard to get anyone willing to nurse the sick. Most people who could afford it, left the city. But Stephen Girard did not STEPHEN GIRaRD. 103 run away. He gave his money and risked his own Kfe to save the sick. 131. Girard College — When Stephen Girard died he left about six million dollars for a home where poor orphan boys might be taken care of and educated. This home is called Girard College. It is in Phila- Girard College. delphia. It has large grounds and many buildings. There is a hio;h stone wall all around it. Almost two thousand boys live there now. There is a fine statue of Stephen Girard near one of the entrances to City Hall, in Philadelphia. It was given to the city by some of the men who were educated in Girard College. CHAPTER XVIII. THE STORY OF SLAVERY. 132. How the Slaves were Treated. — When we were studying the story of Jamestown, we learned that about 300 years ago a number of negroes were brought to Virginia. They were not hired as servants, but were sold to the white settlers as slaves. Slaves were owned by their masters just as a horse or dog is. The slaves did not get wages for their work. They were fed and clothed by their masters, and were given rough cabins or huts to live in. They were bought and sold, or exchanged by their owners just as horses are today. Many of the slaves had kind owners, but some had cruel masters, who beat them and made them work too hard. 133. How the Slaves were Brought to America. — Where did these slaves come from 1 They were brought from Africa. They were not even asked whether they wanted to leave their homes. They were captured or were bought by the slave traders from the chiefs of the negro tribes. The slaves were huddled together like animals in 104 THE STOKY OF SLAVERY. 105 the hold of a ship, were iioiii": nor what they reached America the slave-traders sold them to the white settlers. Thousands of negro slaves were brought to America in They did not know where they was to become of them. When LATELY imported in the Sloop j^u/>ufui Cdjar^ very likely Negro Men, Boys and Girls, Rum, Sugar and MolaiTes, to be Sold very reafonable by John Inglis. Alfo Choice good Aiad.eira Winc at ^ iS per Pipe for ready Money. To be SOLD, BY Benjamin Fender at Dtnnit Ratchj .d's in Market -jlreet, near the IJigo of the IncUan King, fevtral Ncgroe Mcn» Women and tioy>, at a very reafonable Price for Bread, Flower, &€. this way. By the time the War for Inde- pendence be- gan there were ^l jfX ^ V Lately improtcd from Antigua and to be Sold by Edward Jones in Ifacc Norris'j Afley. APARCFLof likely Ne. gro Women &Girls from thirteen ^ to one and twenty Ycari of age, and have slaves in all ^" '^^^»''^^"^'"^**-^°^ the colonies ^^'^ Advertisement of Slaves for Sale. Some were used as house servants, but most of them worked upon the farms. 134. The Invention of the Cotton Gin — Soon after the United States became free from England, something happened that made the people of the southern states want more slaves. A vouno- man named Eli Whitnev invented the cotton gin. This was a machine for separating the 106 HISTORY PRIMER. seed from the raw cotton of the cotton plant. Before Whitney invented the cotton gin, this work had to be done by hand. It was very slow and tedious. It took a man a whole day to pick the seeds from a pound of raw cotton. With the help of the cotton gin, the seeds could be cleaned out of 1000 pounds of cotton in a day. ]\Iuch more cotton was then raised and the people of the south thought they needed the slaves in the cotton fields more than ever. 135. People of the North Against Slavery — Most people living in the northern states thought it was wrong to keep slaves. They believed that every man should be free, no matter wliat the color of his skin was. The people of the south needed the negroes on their cotton plantations and most of them were not willino: to set the slaves free. The states in the north wliere they had no slaves, were called free states. The states in the south were called slave states. The slaves were sometimes treated so cruelly that they would run away. Tlie people of the north would then hide them in their houses and help them First Cotton Gin. thp: story of slavery. 107 to escape. Some of the runaway slaves had deep scars upon then* bodies which showed how terribly they had been beaten. The north- ern people were angry because they thought the slaves were treated so badly. The southern people were angry be- cause the people of the north helped the slaves to run away. 130. '* Uncle Tom's Cabin." — A northern Avonian named Mrs. Stowe, wrote a book called '' Uncle Tom's Cabin." It was all about the slaves and their cruel masters. Hundreds of thousands of people read this book. Nearly everybody was talking about " Uncle Tom," ''Topsy" and ''little Eva." The northern people who read the book now felt quite sure that all Picking Cotton. 108 HISTORY PRIMER. slavery was wrong. They were ready to do almost anything to free the slaves. 137. War Between the North and the South. The Slaves Set Free There were many bitter quarrels between the north and south about slavery. The southern states wanted to leave the Union and have a govern- ment of their own. They thought they had the right to do this. They were afraid the United States Government would make them set the slaves free. The northern states did not believe any one had the right to break up the Union. At last war broke out between the north and south. It was a long and bloody struggle. After four years fighting, the terrible Civil war came to an end. The south was defeated, and the Union was saved. Soon after the close of the war, a law was passed which made all the slaves free. Harriet Beecher Sto-wre. CHATTER XIX. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Ill telling the story of 138. President Lincoln. slavery a ii cl the Civil War Ave did not mention the name of the man who did more than anybody else to give the slaves their freedom. This great m an was Abraham Lincoln. He was President of the United States during the war. Lincoln's life should be studied by every school boy. It shows how even a poor boy, by Abraham Lincoln. hard Avork and honesty, may reach the highest posi- tion in our land. 109 110 HISTORY PRIMER. Lincoln's Early Home. 139. Early Life of Lincoln.— Abraham Lincoln was bom about one huudred years ago on an out-of-the- way Httle farm in Ken- tucky. The house his parents lived in was only a rough shanty. When Abraham was "''^ '■ seven y ears old the family moved to Indiana. Here they chopped down trees and built a log cabin to live in. Little Abe helped all he could. Their furniture was home-made. It was rudely put together out of logs and sticks. On the floor in a cor- ner of the room was a bi": bag stuffed with leaves. This was Abe's bed. 140. Lincoln at School. How He Taught Himself. — T h e r e was a little log school house a long way from Abe's home. It was kept open only a few months of the year. Abe went to this school as Lincoln Learning- to use an Axe. THE STORY OF AfJRAHAM LINCOLN. Ill iSmila =s3(3SL often as lie could. Here lie learned to read and write. Schools in those days were not very good, and the teachers themselves did not know much. Abe studied hard at home and learned more there than he did in school. He did not have paper and pens to work with so he Avrote upon a big wooden shovel, using a piece of charcoal for a pen- cil. He had to clean the shovel off when h e needed a fresh place to Avrite on. During the day he worked hard up- on the Httle farm. Lmcom studying at Night. He studied at night by the light of the burning logs in the open fireplace. 141. The Books Lincoln Read — Abe had very few books, but he read them until he knew whole pages by heart. One of these books was a story of the life of Geoi'o^e Washino-ton. It was oiven to Abe as pay for work that he had done upon a neighbor's farm. Some of the other books he read and studied were 112 HISTORY PRIMER. " Kobiiison Crusoe," " History of the United States," *' ^sop's Fables," "Pilgrim's Progress," and the Bible. Young Abraham Lincoln soon became known as the smartest boy in the neighborhood. 142. Lincoln the Rail Splitter. — Young Lincoln grew fast. When he was nineteen years old he was six feet four inches tall. His out door life made him strong and healthy. He could lift as much as two ordinary men. He was a tine woods- man. He used to chop down trees and split logs into rails for rail fences. He earned his living^ for a while as a farm-hand and rail sphtter. 143. Honest Abe. — Lincoln was noted not only for his size and strength. He also became famous for his honesty. When he was twenty-one years old, he got a position to tend a country store. He treated the Lincoln Splitting- Rails. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 113 customers well and soon became known for his fair dealing. One time a woman by mistake paid liim a few cents too much. That evening', after the store was closed, Lincoln walked all the way to the woman's house, a distance of three miles, to pay the money back to her. This was only one of the many tliiugs that Lincoln did that made the people call him '' Honest Abe." 144. Lincoln Becomes a Lawyer Lincoln had to work hard for a living, but he always found time to study. After a Avhile he began to study law-books, as he wanted to be a lawyer. Before he was thirty years old, he had been elected to the Illinois Legislature — the place where the laws are made for the state, and he was practicing law for a living. People were anxious to hire him as their lawyer because they knew he was honest and they could believe what he said. 145. Lincoln's Kind Heart. The Story of the Pig — The people liked Lincoln not only because he was honest, but also because he was kind hearted. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in trouble. He was kind even to dumb animals. The story of Lincoln and the pig is often told. One day as Lincoln was driving to the court-house ! 114 HISTORY PRIMER. he heard a loud squeahng. Looking around he noticed a pig which had fallen into a mud hole. The trying w a s hard to get out, but fell back every time. Lincoln felt like helping the })oor animal but he was wearino* a new suit of clothes, and he was afraid Lincoln and the Pig-. ^.p gpoilillP" It He drove on, but the thought of the poor pig bothered him. At last he turned back and pulled the pig out of the mud hole. He had to go to court that day with his clothes all S2:)attered witli mud. But his mind was at rest. 146. Lincoln Elected President Abraham Lin- coln became so famous as a lawyer that the people sent him to Congress, the place where laws are made for the whole nation. At this time the whole country was excited about slavery. Lincoln made many great speeches against slavery. He was now so famous that the Republican party wanted him to be the President of the United States. In 1860 he was elected President. The poor rail-splitter had at last reached the THE 8T0KY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 115 highest position that any man in this comitiy can hold. 147. Lincoln Saves the Union — Soon after Lin- cohi was elected President, the great Civil War broke out between the north and south. The people of the south wanted to have a sepa- rate government of their own. But Lincoln thought that the Union should not be broken and that it was his duty to hold the United States together. The President was commander-in-chief of the army and navy. During the four terrible years of this bloody war, Lincoln proved himself to be a great and powerful leader. He always seemed to know the best thing to do. 148. Lincoln Frees the Slaves — During the war Lincoln set free all the slaves in the states that were fighting against the Union. After the close of the war all the rest of the slaves were set free. Lincoln had saved the Union and rid our country of slavery. 149. The Death of Abraham Lincoln The war had hardly ended when a terrible thing happened. While President Lincoln was sitting in a theater quietly watching the play, he was suddenly shot through the head by a man named Booth. The murderer thought tliat in this way the south could get revenge for its defeat. Booth was shot 116 HISTORY PRIMER Lincoln's Statue. by soldiers while he was trying to make his es- cape. T h e whole country, south a s well a s north, mourned the death of President Lincoln. Even those wdio did not agree with him loved him for his kindness of h e a r t and his great honesty. Next t o Washington, many people think Abra- ham Lincoln was the great- est of Americans. CHAPTEK XX. MEMORIAL DAY. 150. Memorial Day and What it Means. — In almost every state in the Union there is a hoUday called Memorial Day. This holiday is set aside to honor the memory of the soldiers who fought in the civil war. In the north, Memorial Day is kept on May 30th. In the south it is ten days earlier, May 2()th. Spring- is then at its heio-ht. The weather is usuallv warm and pleasant, the grass is green, and tlie flowers are in bloom. 151. At the Soldiers' Graves — On ^Memorial Day, companies of soldiers parade to the cemeteries where their former comrades lie buried. Each soldier's grave is marked with a little flag. Bands play solemn music. Speeches are made telling about tlie brave deeds of the soldiers. Prayers are said, and muskets are flred in salute over the soldiers' graves. The most beautiful })art of Memorial Day services is the placing of flowers upon the graves of the soldiers. Great crowds of people attend the services 117 118 HISTORY PRIMER. in the cemeteries and help to decorate the graves. This is the reason this holiday was at first called Decoration Day. But Memorial Day is the better name, because the services are held in memory of the dead soldiers. 152. Memorial Day Exercises in the Schools. — In most cities, schools are closed on Memorial Day, so that the children may also help to decorate the graves. The day before the holiday, old soldiers some- times visit the schools and make speeches to the pupils. They tell them interesting stories about the battles they were in and what they themselves saw durino; the Civil War. ( )ld time war sono-s and other patriotic songs are sung by the children. In many schools, flowers are brought Ijy the pupils to be used in decorating the soldiers' graves. Some- times several Avagon loads of flowers are taken from a siup-le school. 153. How Memorial Day Began. — The first Memorial Day was held May .'](), 18G8, three years after the close of the Civil War. A society had been formed by many of the soldiers who had fought for the Union during this war. This society was called the Grand Army of the Iiepublic. General John A. Logan was chosen as the head of the G. A. Ii. He sent out an order for the first Memorial Day to the members of the G. A. R. in MEMOKIAL DAY. 119 all parts of the coantiy. Afterwards in the difFerent states, Memorial Day was made a legal holiday. It is said that a German soldier in the Union army fi r s t suo-o-ested Memorial Day. He wrote a letter to one of General L o g a n' s officers, telling him of the custom in Germany of dec- orating the soldiers' graves every spring. He thought it would be a o-ood idea to have this beautiful custom in America. General Logan also thouo;ht this a beautiful way to honor the dead ; so General Logan. he issued the order for the first Memorial Day. 154. What Memorial Day Teaches. — We should all be thankful that we have Memorial Day. We can learn many good lessons from it. Tt calls to our memory the noble actions of the soldiers who risked their lives for the sake of their country. It helps to teach us that we also should love our country, and be ready to help it whenever we are called upon to do so. In war times we may have to fight for our country's sake and even die for it. In times of peace we can serve our country by being good citizens, and by leading honest, upright lives. CHAPTEE XXI. OLD WAYS AND NEW. 155. Our Times Better Than the *'Good Old Times." — We often hear about " the good okl tunes." Perhaps if we had to hve as people did in those days Ave should not find them so pleasant. We are sure that we can do many things better and more quickly to-day than people could in olden times. A poor man today can live more comfortably than a rich man could in the olden times. He does not have to go to a well or pump to get water. All he has to do is to turn on a spigot in his liouse. In the daily newspapers he can read what is hap- pening in all parts of the world. Wlien the great earthquake destroyed nearly the whole city of San Francisco, the news was printed all over the world the same day. In a very short 120 Old-time Well. OLD WAYS AND NEW. 121 time railroad trains and steamships were loaded with food, clothing-, tents and ])edding', and hurried to the relief of the homeless people. If such a thing had happened in the olden days when there was no tele- graph nor railroad, thousands of people would have died for want of help. We will now learn about some of the chanires that have bei^n made in the last two hundred years. Open Fireplace and Spinning-'wheel. 150. Heating. — Tn colonial days, stoves were hardly ever seen. Most of the houses had large, open fireplaces. The logs burning in the hre- 122 HISTORY PRI]\IER. place made a cheerful blaze, but they did not heat the room well. Most of the heat went up the chimney. The open fireplace Avas also used for cooking. The pot or kettle was hung upon an iron crane that swung over the burning wood. The Franklin stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin, was one of the hrst used. For a long time, only wood was burned in the stoves. The first load of hard coal was brought to Philadelphia about one hundred years ago. It was some years before people learned how to use coal. To-day coal is burned in almost every home for cooking and heating. Many buildings nowadays are heated in Ijetter ways. Steam or hot water is sent through pipes to radiators in all parts of the house. How different from the log fires of olden times ! 157. Lighting. — In colonial dai^s they did not have gas or electricity for lighting. On winter evenings the blazing logs ^^^ ^^^ °^ Getting a Lierht. of the open fireplace gave light as well as warmth. Hand Printing- Px-ess. OLD WAYS AND NP^W. 123 Candles and lamps Avere also nsed. Whale oil was bnrned in the lam|)S. There were no niatehes. Fire was started with the old-fashioned tinder-box, flint and steel. The streets and roads were very dark. People had to carry lanterns at nig-ht. Millions of matches are now used every year. Modern Printing Press. We would not know how to get along without them. We still sometimes use candles and lamps, but most of our lighting is done by gas and electricity. City streets are lighted brightly at night by large electric lights. There is no longer any need of carrying lanterns, as there was years ago. 158. Machinery. — Tn olden times almost every- 124 HISTORY PRIMER. thing was made by hand. To-day ahnost everything is made by machinery. (Jf course things can be made much faster by machinery. To make a pin by hand woukl take a lon^j: time. To-dav there is a machine that will turn out thousands of pins in a Interior of a Mill. very short time, all ])olished, pointed, and placed neatly in rows in paper packages, ready to be sold. Newspapers and books used to be printed by means of hand presses. It was slow, hard work. Benjamin Franklin used a hand press. To-day steam presses turn out books and papers faster than a man can count them. We wonder what OLD WAYS AND NEW. 125 Benjamin Franklin would think if he could see a big- steam press printing, cutting, folding, and counting the large newspapers of to-daj. He would probably feel like praising the good new times instead of the " good old times." In the ohl days there was a spinning-wdieel in almost every home. The women spun the w ool into thread, and the cloth was woven by hand. Men dressed in coarse, homespun clothes in those days. To-day the spinning and weaving are done by machinery in large mills. 159. Travel. — Years ago, travel was slow and dangerous. Out- side of the towns and cities, people generally went u p o n horseback because the roads were not o-ood enough for car- riages. There w e r e some good roads c n n e c ting the hxrger towns and cities. The old- fashioned stage- Early Travel on Horseback. 126 HISTORY PKIMER. coach was used on these roads. It took three days or more to go from Philadelphia to New York in this way. To-day an express train makes the trip in about two hours. The steam locomotive was first used in America about seventy-live years ago. All the cities and most Old Stage-coach and Inn. of the small towns are now connected by lines of railroad. Electricity is also used to make cars go. To-day there are trolley cars in almost every little town. We may live to see the day when electricity will be OLD WAYS AND NEW. 127 used instead of steam on all railroads. Automobiles are being used more and more. The time may come Electric Car. when it will be a rare sight to see a carriage drawn by a horse. Travel on Avater has also changed very much since colonial days. In those days, row-boats and sail- boats were used. Sometimes people made long journeys in canal-boats. Traveling was slow and uncomfortable. About a hundred years ago the steand^oat was invented by Robert Fulton. The people Avere sur- prised, and many were scared, Avhen they hrst saw Fulton's boat steaming up the Hudson River. Soon steamboats Avere being built in many parts of the country. At first they Avere used only on the rivers and lakes. To-day large steamships built of steel cross the ocean and go to all parts of the 128 HISTORY PKIMER. world. Some of these ships are so large that they can carry three or four thousand passengers. -^«» — m^ ^-r ^J Old Print of First Railroad Train. Steamships are safer, faster, and much more comfortable than the old-fashioned sailing vessels. Modern Express Train. 100. Communication, Letters and Messages. — In colonial davs, messag^es had to be carried from one place to another. There Avas no other way of sending them. As travel was slow, it took a long time for messages to be delivered. OLD WAYS AND NEW. 129 Automobile. The slow old stao;e-coaches were used for carrying mail. The people in Philadelphia would not know what was happening in Boston until a week or more after it had taken place. Sometimes very im- portant messages were sent by men on horse- back called couriers. Even such messengers were slow compared with the railroads and steam- ships of to-day. Courier. 130 HISTORY PRIMER. Although raih'oads and steamships carry the Travel by Canal-boat. mail very quickly, we now have quicker ways of sending- messages. Nearly seventy years ago Professor Morse found Modern Steamship. OLD WAYS AND NEW. 131 Old Print of Steamboat. a -way to send messages along wires by means of electricity. His invention is called the telegraph. The message travels as fast as lio:litnino\ To-day telegraph poles and wires maybe seen all over the conn- try. Wire cables have even been laid along the bed of the ocean from continent to continent. Important new^s is telegrai)lied all over the world, so that it is known everywhere almost as soon as it happens. The telephone is another wonderful invention. It is better than the telegraph because you can talk to })eo})le many miles away and hear their answers at once. People nowadays have become so used to the telephone and telegraph that they Telephone, w O U 1 d UOt know how to get along without them. We w o u 1 d find it h a r d to g(3 b a c k to the days of the courier and the stage-coach. Telegraph Inbtrurauat. APPENDIX. PATRIOTIC SELECTIONS. PAUL REVERE'S RIDE. Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy -Five : Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend — " If the British march By laud or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch Of the North Church tower, as a signal-light— One if by land, and two if by sea ; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm. For the country-folk to be up and to arm." Then he said good-night, and with muffled oar Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore. Just as the moon rose over the bay, Where swinging wide at her moorings lay The Somerset, British man-of-war : A phantom ship, with each mast and spar Across the moon like a prison bar, APPENDIX. And a huge, black hulk, that was magnified By its own reflection in the tide. Meanwhile his friend, through alley and street, Wanders and watches with eager ears, Till in the silence around him he hears The muster of men at the barrack-door, The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet. And the measured tread of the grenadiers Marching down to their boats on the shore. Then he climbed the tower of the old North Church, Up the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread. To the belfry-chamber overhead. And startled the pigeons from their perch On the sombre rafters, that round him made Masses and moving shapes of shade — By the trembling ladder, stee}) and tall. To the highest window in the wall, Where he paused to listen and look down A moment on the roofs of the quiet town. And the moonlight flowing over all. Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride. Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride, On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere. Now he patted his horse's side, Now gazed on the landscape far and near, Then impetuous stamped the earth, And turned and tightened his saddle-girth ; But mostly he watched with eager search The belfry-tower of the old North Church, As it rose above the graves on the hill. Lonely, and spectral, and sombre, and still. PATRIOTIC SE LE( :T I ( )NS. Aud lo ! as he looks, ou the belfry's height A glimraer, aud then a gleam of light ! He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns, But lingers and gazes, till full on his sight A second lamp in the belfry burns ! A hurry of hoofs in the village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark, And beneath from the pebbles, in passing, a spark Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet : That was all ! And yet, through the gloom aud the light, The fate of a nation was riding that night ; And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight, Kindled the land into flame with its heat. * * * * * * You know the rest. In the liooks you have read How the British regulars fired aud fled — How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence aud farm-yard wall, Chasing the red-coats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, Aud only pausing to fire and load. So through the night rode Paul Revere ; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm — A cry of defiance, aud not of fear — A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo for evermore ! For, borue on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last. In the hour of darkness, and peril, and need. The people will waken and listen to hear The harrying hoof-beats of that steed. And the midnight message of Paul Revere. — Longfellow. iv APPENDIX. CONCORD HYMN. By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And flred the shot heard round the world. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps ; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream. We set to-day a votive stone, That memory may their deed redeem When, like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit that made those heroes dare To die or leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee. — Ralph Waldo Emerson. INDEPENDENCE BELL. There was tumult in the city, In the quaint old Quaker town. And the streets were rife with people Pacing restless up and down ; People gathering at corners, Where they whispered each to each. And the sweat stood on their temples. With the earnestness of speech. * * * * "Will they do it?" "Dare they do it?" "Who is speaking?" "What's the news?" " What of Adams ? " " What of Sherman ?" " O, God grant thev won't refuse ! " PATKIOTIC SELECTIONS. "Make some way, there!" "Let me iicaivr ! " I am stitliiig ! " — " Stifle, then : When a nation's life's at hazard. We've no time to think of men!" * •:•!• * * Aloft in that high steeple Sat the l)ellman, old and gray ; He was weary of the tyrant And his iron-sceptered sway ; So he sat with one hand ready On the clapper of the bell, When his eye should catch the signal, Very happy news to tell. See ! see ! the dense crowd quivers Through all its lengthy line, As the boy beside the portal Looks forth to give the sign ! With his small hands upward lifted, Breezes dallying with his hair. Hark ! with dee[), clear intonation, Breaks his young voice on the air. Hushed the people's swelling murmur, List the boy's strong joyous cry ! " Ring ! " he shouts aloud ; " ring ! Grandpa ! Ring ! O, ring for Liberty ! " And straightway, at the signal. The old bellman lifts his hand. And sends the good news, making Iron music through the land. How they shouted ! What rejoicing ! How the old liell shook the air, Till the clang of freedom ruffled The calm o;liding Delaware ! vi APPENDIX. How the bonfires and the torches Illumed the night's repose, And from the flames, like Phojuix, Fair Liberty arose ! That old bell now is silent, And hushed its iron tongue, But the spirit it awakened Still lives — forever young. And while we greet the sunlight On the Fourth of each July, We'll ne'er forget the bellman. Who, 'twixt the earth and sky, Rung out our Independence, Which, please God, shall never die ! — Anonymous. INDEPENDENCE. Day of glory, welcome day. Freedom's banners greet thy ray ; See, how cheerfully they play With thy morning breeze. On the rocks where pilgrims kneeled. On the heights where squadrons wheeled. When a tyrant's thunder pealed O'er the trembling seas. * * * * God of peace, whose spirit fills All the echoes of our hills. All the murmurs of our rills, Now the storm is o'er, Oh, let freemen be our sons, And let future Washingtons Rise, to lead their valiant ones. Till there's war no more. - PATRIOTIC SELECTIONS. By the patriot's hallowed rest, By the warrior's gory breast, Never let our graves be pressed By a despot's throne ; By the pilgrims' toil and cares, By their battles and their prayers, By their ashes, let our heirs Bow to Thee alone. — John Pierpont. SONG OF MARION'S MEN. Our band is few, but true and tried, our leader frank and boh The British soldier trembles when Marion's name is told. Our fortress is the good greenwood, our tent the cypress-tree : We know the forest round us, as seamen know the sea ; We know its walls of thorny vines, its glades of reedy grass, Its safe and silent islands within the dark morass. Woe to the English soldiery that little dread us near ! On them shall light at midnight a strange and sudden fear; When, waking to their tents on fire, they grasp their arms in vain, And they who stand to face us are beat to earth again ; And they who fly in terror deem a mighty host behind. And hear the tramp of thousands upon the hollow wind. Then sweet tlie hour that brings release from danger and from toil ! We talk the battle over, and share the battle's spoil ; The woodland rings with laugh and shout, as if a hunt were up. And woodland flowers are gathered to crown the soldier's cup, With merry songs we mock the wind that in the pine-top grieves, And slumber long and sweetly on beds of oaken leaves. APPENDIX. Well knows the fair and friendly moon the band that Marion leads, - The glitter of their rifles, the scampering of their steeds. 'Tis life to guide the fiery barb across the moonlit plain; 'Tis life to feel the night-wind that lifts his tossing mane : A moment in the British camp, — a moment, and away Back to the pathless forest before the peep of day. Grave men there are by broad Santee, grave men with hoary hairs, - Their hearts are all with Marion, for Marion are their prayers. And lovely ladies greet our band with kindliest welcoming, With smiles like those of summer and tears like those of spring. For them we wear these trusty arms, and lay them down no more. Till we have driven the Briton for ever from our shore. — Bryant. THE AMERICAN FLAG. When Freedom from her mountain height Unfurl' d her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night. And set the stars of glory there. She mingled with its gorgeous dyes The milky baldric of the skies. And striped its pure celestial white, With streakings of the morning light; Then, from his mansion in the sun She called her eagle-bearer down, And gave into his mighty hand The symbol of her chosen land. * * * * Flag of the free heart's hope and home. By angel hands to valor given, Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven. PATKIOTIC SELF.CTIONS. ix Forever float that standard sheet! Where breathes the foe but falls before us, With Freedom's soil beneath our feet, And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us? — J. Rodman Drake. THE STAR=SPANQLED BANNER. Oh ! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh ! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mist of the deep. Where the foe 's haughty host in dread silence reposes ; What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep. As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam ; In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream ; 'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh! long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ! And where is that band, who so vauntingly swore. Mid the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave ; And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ! APPENDIX. Oh! thus be it ever, when tree nieu shall stand Between our lov'd home and the war's desolation ! Blest with victory and peace, may the Heav'n rescued laud Praise the Power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation ! Then conquer we must when our cause it is just; And this be our motto, " In God is our trust ; " And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ! — Francis Scott Key. UNION AND LIBERTY. Flag of the heroes who left us their glory, Borne through their battle-iields' thunder and flame, Blazoned in song and illumined in story. Wave o'er us all who inherit their fame ! Up with our banner bright. Sprinkled with starry light. Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation's cry, — Union and Liberty ! One Evermore ! * ***** Lord of the Universe, shield us and guide us. Trusting Thee always, through shadow and suu. Thou hast united us, who shall divide us? Keep us, O, keep us the Many in One ! Up with our banner bright. Sprinkled with starry starry light. Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation's cry, — Union and Liberty ! One Evermore ! — 0. W. Holmes. PATEIOTIC SELECTIONS. xi ODE FOR DECORATION DAY. Flowers for the mourned ones, fresh in their bloom, Gifts of the grateful, brighten their tomb. Sing the glad anthems, loved they so well ; Speak of their loyalty, deeds of theirs tell ; Visit each grave with a floral oblation ; Leave, where they slumber, love's sweet decoration ! Tears for the l)rave ones, fallen in strife, Liberty's martyrs, giving their life ! Patriot soldiers, loving their land, Hasting to battle, — heroes so grand ! Honor their memories on History's pages ; Build for them monuments lasting through ages ! Dirges for brothers sleeping in death ! Faced they the cannon's sulphurous breath ; Feared not the foeman, never would yield ; Bled for their country, died on the field ! Precious their offering, — let it be cherished ; Gratitude give them, for nobly they perished ! Fame for the true hearts, true to the flag, Strong for the Union, firm as a crag ! Fireblast of battle, missies of lead. Turned them not backward, laying them dead ! Deeds of such daring with earth's choicest are blended. Long as the flag waves, so bravely defended ! Garlands unfading give to our braves ; Flowers immortal bloom on their graves ! Veteran warriors, young hearts and bold, Foremost in conflict, — silent and cold ! Memory keeps and rehearses their story ; Die not their names, star-lighted with glory ! xii APPENDIX. Rest for the martyred, — rest iu the grave; Thunders of battle wake uot the brave; War-drum aud shouting, musketry's roar, Rolling loud o'er them, heeded no more! Peace that they fought for came to us timely; Freedom they died for triumphed sublimely. — S. Drayton Phelps. THE PATRIOT DEAD. Breathe balmy airs, ye fragrant flowers, O'er every silent sleeper's head ; Ye crystal dews and summer showei's, Dress in fresh green each lowly bed. Strew loving offerings o'er the brave, Their country's joy, their country's pride ; For us their precious lives they gave. For freedom's sacred cause they died. Each cherished name its place shall hold, Like stars that gem the azure sky ; Their deeds, on history's page enrolled, Are sealed for immortality. Long, where on glory's fields they fell, May Freedom's spotless banner wave, And fragrant tributes grateful tell Where live the free, where sleep the brave. — Samuel Francis Smith. DEATH OF LINCOLN. Oh, slow to smite and swift to spare, Gentle and merciful and just ! Who, in fear of God. did'st bear The sword of power, a nation's trust. PATRIOTIC SKLKC'TIONS. In sorrow by thy bier we stand, Amid the awe that hushes all, And speak the anguish of a land That shook with horror at thy fall. Thy task is done. The bond are free. We bear thee to an honored grave, Whose proudest mouuiuent shall be The broken fetters of the slave. Pure was thy life. Its bloody close Hath placed thee with the sons of light. Among the noble host of those Who perished in the cause of Right. — William Cullen Bryant. AMERICA. My country, 'tis of thee Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died. Land of the Pilgrims' pride. From every mountain side, Let freedom ring! My native country, thee. Land of the noble free. Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above. 10 xiv APPENDIX. Let music swell the breeze, And riug from all the ti*ees Sweet Freedom's soug; Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake, Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of li])erty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King ! — Samuel Francis Smith. OCT 16 t906 ^ ^ ~N