night,
thinking over the probabilities of the morrow and the occurrences of
the past, I am perfectly content to accept whatever my fortune may be,
confident that He who noteth even the fall of a sparrow will have some
purpose even in the fate of one like me. My darling and ever-loved
parents, good-by. God bless, protect, and care for you." These loving
and filial words were the last that came from his pen.

The Zouaves were embarked before dawn the next morning. The celerity
and order with which Ellsworth performed his work excited the
admiration and surprise of Admiral Dahlgren, who commanded the navy
yard.

The town of Alexandria was occupied without resistance; and Ellsworth,
with a squad of Zouaves, hurried off to take possession of the
telegraph office. On his way he caught sight of a Confederate flag
floating from the summit of the Marshall House. He had often seen,
from the window of the Executive Mansion in Washington, this self-same
banner flaunting defiance; and the temptation to tear it down with his
own hands was too much for his boyish patriotism. Accompanied by four
soldiers only and several civilians, he ran into the hotel, up the
stairs to the roof, and tore down the flag; but coming down was met on
the stairs by the hotel-keeper and shot dead. His assassin perished at
the same moment, killed by Frank E. Brownell.

Ellsworth was buried from the East Room of the White House by the
special order of the President, who mourned him as a son. Many brave
and able officers were to perish in the four years that followed that
mournful day; but there was not one whose death was more sincerely
lamented than that of this young soldier who had never seen a battle;
and it is the belief of his friends that he had not his superior in
natural capacity among all the most eminent heroes of the war. But who
will care to hear this said? If Napoleon Bonaparte had been killed at
the siege of Toulon, who would have listened to some grief-stricken
comrade's assertion that this young Corsican was the greatest soldier
since Caesar? I have written these lines merely to show how simple,
kindly, and heroic a heart Colonel Ellsworth had--and not to claim for
him what can never be proved.

CHAPTERS FROM A LIFE.

BY ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS,

Author of "The Gates Ajar," "The Madonna of the Tubs," etc.

ANDOVER GIRLS AS STUDENTS OF THEOLOGY.--THE DARK DAYS OF THE
WAR.--WRITING MAGAZINE STORIES AND SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOOKS.--THE