aw,
Stately honor, and reverent awe.
Sign of a nation, great and strong
To ward her people from foreign wrong;
Pride and glory and honor, all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high;
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

_Youth's Companion._

INDEPENDENCE BELL.

=Anonymous.=

This poem, which has long been a favorite in school readers, describes the
emotions of the people of Philadelphia on that memorable day in July,
1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. It was resolved by
Congress that the signing should be announced to the people by the ringing
of the old Philadelphia State-house bell, now the most venerated relic of
those stirring days. By a strange coincidence, the bell, cast years before
the Declaration was dreamed of, bears the following inscription, from the
Bible: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants
thereof."

There was tumult in the city,
In the quaint old Quakers' 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.

As the bleak Atlantic currents
Lash the wild Newfoundland shore,
So they beat against the State-house,
So they surged against the door;
And the mingling of their voices
Made a harmony profound,
Till the quiet street of Chestnut
Was all turbulent with sound.

"Will they do it?" "Dare they do it?"
"Who is speaking?" "What's the news?"
"What of Adams?" "What of Sherman?"
"Oh, God grant they won't refuse!"
"Make some way there!" "Let me nearer!"
"I am stifling!" "Stifle, then!
When a nation's life's at hazard,
We've no time to think of men!"

So they beat against the portal,
Man and woman, maid and child;
And the July sun in heaven
On the scene looked down and smiled;
The same sun that saw the Spartan
Shed his patriot blood in vain,
Now beheld the soul of freedom
All unconquered rise again.

See! See! The dense crowd quivers
Throughout all its lengthy line,
As the boy beside the portal
Looks forth to give the sign!
With his small hand