ing to the rank of Colonel.

Mrs. Stearns determined to devote herself to the work of lecturing in
behalf of the Aid movement, and did extensive, and much appreciated
services in this direction. From time to time she visited the hospitals,
and learned the details of the work, as well as the necessities required
there; in that way rendering herself peculiarly competent for her chosen
field of labor. She continued in this service until the close of the
war, accomplishing much good, and laboring with much acceptance.

BARBARA FRIETCHIE.

Barbara Frietchie was an aged lady of Frederick, Maryland, of German
birth, but intensely patriotic. In September, 1862, when Lee's army were
on their way to Antietam, "Stonewall" Jackson's corps passed through
Frederick, and the inhabitants, though a majority of them were loyal,
resolved not to provoke the rebels unnecessarily, knowing that they
could make no effectual resistance to such a large force, and
accordingly took down their flags; but Dame Barbara though nearly eighty
years of age could not brook that the flag of the Union should be
humbled before the rebel ensign, and from her upper window waved her
flag, the only one visible that day in Frederick. Whittier has told the
whole story so admirably that we cannot do better than to transfer his
exquisite poem to our pages. Dame Barbara died in 1865.

BARBARA FRIETCHIE.

Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,

The clustered spires of Frederick stand,
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.

Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach trees fruited deep,

Fair as a garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,

On that pleasant morn of the early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain-wall--

Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.

Forty flags with their silver stars,
Forty flags with their crimson bars,

Flapped in the morning wind: the sun
Of noon looked down, and saw not one.

Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;

Bravest of all in Frederick town,
She took up the flag the men hauled down;

In her attic-window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet,

Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.

Under his slouched hat left and right