3. The Light at Home, whene'er at last That beats upon his manly form. 4. The Light at Home! how still and sweet When the rough toils of day are o'er! The blessings that its beams impart, AROUND THE LIGHT AT HOME. IN LESSON X. THE SOLDIER BIRD.* H. II. BROWNELL. N the spring of 1861, Chief Sky, a Chippewa Indian, living in the northern wilds of Wisconsin, found an eagle's nest. To make sure of his prize he cut the tree down, and caught the eaglets as they were sliding from the *Col. J. W. Jefferson, who led the valiant Eighth Wisconsin Regiment in the Red River expedition, has given a similar account of this wonderful Bird; thus corroborating the truthfulness of this narrative. nest to run and hide in the grass. One died. He carried the other home, and built a nest in a tree close by his wigwam. The eaglet was as large as a hen, and covered with soft down. The red children were delighted with their new pet; and, as soon as he became acquainted, he would sit down in the grass, and see them play with the dogs. 2. But Chief Sky was poor, and he was obliged to sell the noble bird to a white man for a bushel of corn. The white man brought him to Eau Claire,* a small village, where the enlisted soldiers were busy in preparing to go to the war. "Here's a recruit," said the man. "AN EAGLE! AN EAGLE!" shouted the soldiers: "LET HIM ENLIST!" and sure enough, he was sworn into the service, with ribbons around his neck, red, white, and blue. 3. On a perch surmounted by stars and stripes, the company took him to Madison, the Capital of the State. As they marched into Camp Randall, with colors flying, drums beating, and the people cheering, the eagle seized the flag in his beak, and spread his wings, his bright eye kindling with the spirit of the scene. Shouts rent the air:-"THE BIRD OF COLUMBIA! THE EAGLE OF FREEDOM FOREVER!" 4. The State made him a new perch, and the boys named him "Old Abe;" and the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment was henceforth called, "The Eagle Regiment." On the march he was carried at the head of the company, and everywhere was greeted with delight. At St. Louis, a gentleman offered five hundred dollars for him, and another his farm. No, no; the boys had no notion of parting with their bird. He was above all price, — an emblem of battle and of victory. Besides, he interested their minds, and made them think less of hardships and of home. *Pronounced O Claire. 5. It was really amusing to witness the strange freaks and droll adventures of this bird during his three years' service,— his flights in the air, his fights with the guineahens, and his race with the boys. When the regiment was in summer quarters at Clear Creek, the eagle was allowed to run at large, and every morning went to the river, half a mile off, where he splashed and played in the water to his heart's content, faithfully returning to camp when he was satisfied. 6. Old Abe's favorite place of resort was the sutler's tent, where a live chicken found "no quarter" in his presence. But rations became scarce, and, for two days, Abe had nothing to eat. Hard-tack he objected to; fasting was disagreeable; and Thomas, his bearer, could not get beyond the pickets to a farm-yard. At last, pushing his way to the colonel's tent, he pleaded for poor Abe. The colonel gave him a pass, and Thomas procured for him an excellent dinner. 7. One day a farmer asked Thomas to come and show the eagle to his children. Satisfying the curiosity of the family, Thomas set him down in the barn-yard. Oh, what a screeching and scattering among the fowls! for Abe pounced upon one, and gobbled up another, to the great amazement of the farmer, who declared that such wanton behavior was not in the bargain. Abe, however, thought there was no harm in "confiscating" in time of war. 8. Abe was in twenty battles, besides thirty skirmishes. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, the storming of Corinth, and marched with Sherman up the Red River. The whiz of bullets and the scream of shells were his delight. As the battle grew hotter and hotter, he would flap his wings, and mingle his wildest notes with the thundering din around him. He was very fond of music, especially Yankee Doodle and John Brown. Upon parade he always gave heed to the word, "ATTENTION!" With his eye on the commander, he would listen and obey orders, noting time accurately. After parade he would put off his soldierly air, flap his wings, and make himself at home. 9. The enemy called him "Yankee Buzzard,” “Old Owl," and other hard names; but his eagle nature was quite above noticing it. One General gave orders to his men to be sure and capture the eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin; saying, he "would rather have him than a dozen battle-flags." But for all that, he scarcely lost a feather,— only one from his right wing. At last the war was over, and the brave Wisconsin Eighth, with their live eagle and torn and riddled flags, were welcomed back to Madison. They went out a thousand strong, and returned a little band, scarred and toil-worn, having fought and won. 10. And what of the Soldier Bird? In the name of the gallant veterans, Captain Wolf presented him to the State. Governor Lewis accepted the illustrious gift, and ample quarters are provided for him in the beautiful Statehouse grounds, where may he long live to tell us "What heroes from the woodland sprang, When, through the fresh awakened land, 11. Nor is the end yet. At the great fair in Chicago, an enterprising gentleman invited "Abe" to attend. He had colored photographs of the old hero struck off, and sold sixteen thousand seven hundred dollars' worth for the benefit of poor and sick soldiers. Has not the American Eagle done his part'? May not the Venerable Veteran rest upon his honors'? 12. 'Tis many a stormy day Since, out of the cold, bleak North, Many and many a day, -- O'er charge and storm hath he wheeled, – Tramp, and volley, and rattle! - He shall soar to his aerie-home,- LESSON XI. 1 DOUBLE-QUICK, the fastest time or step, in marching, next to the run, requiring one hundred and sixty-five steps, each thirty-three inches in length, to be taken in one minute. 2 AID ́- DE-CAMP, (aid ́-de-kong,) an officer selected by a general officer to assist him in his military duties. 3 MET A MOR' PHO SIS, (META, over; MORPHOSIS, forming,) a forming over; change; transformation. No THE BATTLE-FIELD. person who was not upon the ground, and an eyewitness of the stirring scenes which there transpired, can comprehend, from a description, the terrible realities of a battle; and even those who participated are competent |