within the sacred edifice.

"General Washington," said Blue-Eyed Boy, "on Thursday Congress
declared _us_ free and independent."

"Where are your dispatches?" leaped from the General's lips, his face
shining.

"Why--why, I haven't any, but it's all true, sir," faltered the boy.

"How did you find it out?"

"I was right there, sir. Don't you remember me? I help Bellman Grey
take care of the State House at Philadelphia, and I run on errands for
the Congress folks, too, sometimes."

"Did Congress send you on this errand?"

"No, General Washington; I can't tell a lie, I came myself."

"How did you know me?"

Blue-Eyed Boy was ready to cry now. To be sure he was sturdy and
strong, and nearly fourteen, too; but to be doubted, after all his
long, tiresome journey, was hard. However, he winked once or twice
violently, and then he looked his very soul into the General's face,
and said: "Why, I saw you every day you went to Congress, only a
month ago, I did."

"I believe you, my lad. Get your horse and follow me."

Blue-Eyed Boy followed on, and waited in camp until the tardy
despatches came in on Tuesday morning, confirming every word that he
had spoken.

The same evening all the brigades in and around New York were ordered
to their respective parade-grounds.

Blue-Eyed Boy was admitted within the hollow square formed by the
brigades on the spot where stands the City Hall. Within the same
square was General Washington, sitting on horseback, and the great
Declaration was read by one of his aids.

It is needless to tell how it was received by the eager men who
listened to the mighty truths with reverent, uncovered heads.
Henceforth every man felt that he had a banner under which to fight,
as broad as the sky above him, as sheltering as the homely roof of
home.

THE OVERTHROW OF THE STATUE OF KING GEORGE.

If, on the evening of July 9, 1876, at six of the clock, you go and
stand where the shadow of the steeple of St. Paul's church in New York
is falling, you will occupy the space General Washington occupied,
just one hundred years ago, when with uncovered head and reverent
mien, he, in the presence of and surrounded by a brigade of noble
soldiers, listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

You will remember that at the church door on Sunday, Blue-Eyed Boy
brought to him, by word of mouth, the great news that a nation was
born on Thursday.

This news was now, for the first time, an