Or hast thou aimed to soar in skies,
Where mightier spirits fearless rise,
And, feeble as the bird that springs

Toward heaven, ere time had nerved his wings,
With flagging plumes too soon returnest,
All drooping, to the ground thou spurnest?
Fly to thy father's tranquil breast,
Thou weary bird, make there thy nest.

Alas, for orphan hearts! that mourn
The dearest ties of nature torn;
They gaze not on a father's eye;
No more upon his bosom lie;

For them, life's surest friend is gone;
In grief, in hope, their heart's are lone;
And e'en should love still light its fires,
What earthly love is like a sire's?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD.

Serjeant Jasper.

At the commencement of the revolutionary war, Serjeant Jasper enlisted in the second South Carolina regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Moultrie. He distinguished himself in a particular manner, at the attack which was made upon Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, on the 25th of June, 1776.

In the warmest part of the contest, the flag staff was severed by a cannon ball, and the flag fell to the bottom of the ditch, on the outside of the works. This accident was considered, by the anxious inhabitants of Charleston, as putting an end to the contest, by striking the American flag to the enemy.

The moment that Jasper made the discovery that the flag had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and mounted the colc rs, which he tied to a

sponge staff, on the parapet, where he supported them until another flag was procured. The subsequent enterprise and activity of this patriot induced Colonel Moultrie to give him a sort of a roving commission, to go and come at pleasure, confident that he was always usefully employed.

He was privileged to select such men from the regiment as he should choose, to accompany him in his enterprises. His parties consisted generally of five or six, and he often returned with prisoners before Moultrie was apprised of his absence. Jasper was distinguished for his humane treatment, when an enemy fell into his power. His ambition appears to have been limited to the characteristics of bravery, humanity, and usefulness to the cause in which he was engaged.

When it was in his power to kill, but not to capture, it was his practice not to permit a single prisoner to escape. By his sagacity and enterprise, he often succeeded in the capture of those who were lying in ambush for him. In one of his excursions, an instance of bravery and humanity occurred, as recorded by the biographer of Gen. Marion, which would stagger credulity, if it were not well attested.

While he was examining the British camp at Ebenezer, all the sympathy of his breast was awakened by the distresses of Mrs. Jones, whose husband, an American by birth, had taken the king's protection, and had been confined in irons, for deserting the royal cause after he had taken the oath of allegiance. The well founded belief was, that nothing short of the life of her husband would atone for the offence with which he was charged.

The anticipation of the awful scene of a beloved husband expiring upon a gibbet, had excited the severest emotions of grief and distraction. Jasper secretly consulted with his companion, Serjeant Newton, whose feelings for the distressed female and

child were equally excited with his own, upon the practicability of releasing Jones from his impending fate.

Though they were unable to suggest a plan of operation, they were determined to watch for the most favorable opportunity, and make the effort. The departure of Jones and several others, (all in irons,) to Savannah, for a trial, under a guard, consisting of a serjeant, corporal, and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding morning.

Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards from the main road, is a spring of fine water, surrounded by a deep and thick underwood, where travellers often halt, to refresh themselves with a cool draught from the pure fountain. Jasper and his companion considered this spot the most favorable for their enterprise. They accordingly passed the guard, and concealed themselves near the spring.

When the enemy came up, the corporal, with his guard of four men, conducted the prisoners to the spring, while the serjeant, with the other four, having grounded their arms near the road, brought up the rear. The prisoners, wearied with their long walk, were permitted to rest themselves on the earth. Two of the corporal's men were ordered to keep guard, and the other two to give the prisoners drink out of their canteens.

The two last approached the spring where our heroes lay concealed, and, resting their muskets against a tree, dipped up water; and, having drunk themselves, turned away, with replenished canteens, to give to the prisoners also. "Now, Newton, is our time!" said Jasper. Then, bursting from their concealment, they snatched up the two muskets that were rested against the tree, and instantly shot down the two soldiers that kept guard.

By this time, the serjeant and corporal, a couple of brave Englishmen, recovering from their panic, had

sprung and seized up the two muskets which had fallen from the slain: but, before they could use them, the Americans, with clubbed guns, levelled, each at the head of his antagonist, the final blow. Then, securing their weapons, they flew between the surviving enemy and their arms, grounded near the road, and compelled them to surrender.

The irons were taken off, and arms put in the hands of those who had been prisoners, and the whole party arrived at Parisburgh, the next morning, and joined the American camp. There are but few instances upon record, where personal exertions, even for self-preservation from certain prospect of death, would have induced a resort to an act so desperate of execution; how much more laudable was this, where the spring to action was roused by the lamentations of a female unknown to the adventurers.

After the gallant defence at Sullivan's Island, Colonel Moultrie's regiment was presented with a stand of colors, by Mrs. Elliot, which she had richly embroidered with her own hands, and, as a reward for Jasper's particular merit, Governor Rutledge presented him with a very handsome sword. During the assault against Savannah, two officers had been killed, and one wounded, endeavoring to plant these colors upon the enemy's parapet of the spring hill redoubt.

Just before the retreat was ordered, Jasper endeavored to replace them upon the works, and, while he was in the act, received a mortal wound, and fell into the ditch. When a retreat was ordered, he recollected the honorable conditions upon which the donor presented the colors to his regiment, and, among the last acts of his life, succeeded in bringing

them off.

Major Horry called to see him, soon after the retreat, to whom, it is said, he made the following communication: "I have got my furlough. That sword was presented to me by Governor Rutledge,

for my services in the defence of Fort Moultrie;— give it to my father, and tell him I have worn it in honor. If the old man should weep, tell him his son died in the hope of a better life.

"Tell Mrs. Elliot that I lost my life supporting the colors which she presented to our regiment Should you ever see Jones, his wife, and son, tell them that Jasper is gone, but that the remembrance of that battle, which he fought for them, brought a secret joy into his heart, when it was about to stop its motion forever." He expired a few moments after closing this sentence.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH

Dejection.

When sickness clouds the languid eye,
And seeds of sharp diseases fly

Swift through the vital frame;
Rich drugs are torn from earth and sea,
And balsam drops from every tree,
To quench the parching flame.

But oh! what opiate can assuage
The throbbing breast's tumultuous rage,
Which mingling passions tear!
What art the wounds of grief can bind,
Or soothe the sick, impatient mind,
Beneath corroding care!

Not all the potent herbs that grow
On purple heath, or mountain's brow,
Can banished peace restore:
In vain, the spring of tears to dry,

For purer air or softer sky,

We quit our native shore.