1775, to seize some powder which the
Americans had at Concord, near Boston, and the result was the battle of
Lexington, where a good many Americans were killed, but where the
British soldiers were finally driven back. Large numbers of men took
their guns and gathered at Boston to watch the British troops, and keep
them in the city. They came from Massachusetts and the other colonies
called New England--from Connecticut and Rhode Island, and from New
Hampshire and Maine.

The Congress came together again in May, 1775, and Washington was also
there. The battle of Lexington had been heard of, and the people were
everywhere angry and excited.

[Illustration: WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND OF THE ARMY.]

The Congress resolved to resist all attempts by the British to force the
country to submit. It called for troops and guns and powder from the
various colonies. It adopted the soldiers around Boston as a part of the
"Continental Army," or the army of the whole country; it chose
Washington as commander-in-chief, to have the direction of all the
soldiers. When this was made known to him, he thanked Congress for the
honor, but he added, "I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in
this room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity I do not
think myself equal to the command I am honored with." He also refused to
take any pay for his services. "I will keep an exact account of my
expenses," he said. "These, I doubt not, Congress will discharge, and
that is all I desire." Washington hastened to Boston, learning of the
battle of Bunker Hill on the way. He found some seventeen thousand men
around Boston, and took command of them on the 3d of July, under a great
elm-tree, on the common in the village of Cambridge. He was then
forty-three years old, and a very tall and fine-looking man. His
features were large, his eyes were of a pure blue, usually grave, but
full of kindness, and at times very merry. His manners were gentle, but
full of dignity, and they often seemed very cold to those not well
acquainted with him, though at heart he was not cold.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

[Illustration]

PUCK AND BLOSSOM.

From the German of Marie von Olfers.

PART II.

"Ow!" sobbed Blossom, "that hurt."

"Never mind," said Puck, comfortingly, "things never go right the first
time; it'll be better by-and-by."

Then they went and they went, till they came to a great big pond. "This
is a horrid world," sighed Blossom. "Hope we