ything
for his country"; but he added that as soon as the war was ended he
would comply with his father's wishes in regard to a profession. The
father was quite as patriotic as the son. He immediately assented to his
son's desires. In those days, however, correspondence could not be
conducted so swiftly as at present, and some time must have elapsed
before this matter was positively settled between the two. As the war
went on, and doubtless none the less whole-heartedly after the news of
Nathan's death had been received, Mr. Hale did all he could for the
comfort of passing soldiers. It is said of him that many a time he sat
at the door of his hospitable home and watched for passing soldiers that
he might take them in and feed them; and, if necessary, lodge and clothe
them. He often forbade his household "to use the wool raised upon his
farm for home purposes, that it might be woven into blankets for the
army."

Anxious as had been young Hale to join the army, he appears to have
deferred making any decided plans until he had received the necessary
permission from his father. Having received it, he at once took steps
for securing his dismissal from his school and his admission into the
army. During the weeks of waiting it had become known that he was
anxious to enlist, and a military appointment was waiting his
acceptance. To secure his dismissal, on July 7 he addressed the
following letter to the proprietors of his school,--a letter that for a
young man of twenty is as dignified as it is patriotic:

GENTLEMEN: Having received information that a place is allotted me
in the army, and being inclined, as I hope for good reasons, to
accept it, I am constrained to ask as a favor that which scarce
anything else would have induced me to, which is, to be excused
from keeping your school any longer. For the purpose of conversing
upon this and of procuring another master, some of your number
think it best there should be a general meeting of the proprietors.
The time talked of for holding it is six o'clock this afternoon, at
the schoolhouse. The year for which I engaged will expire within a
fortnight, so that my quitting a few days sooner, I hope, will
subject you to no great inconvenience.

School-keeping is a business of which I was always fond, but since
my residence in this town, everything has conspired to render it
more agreeable. I have thought much of