The Boy Patriot   By: Edward Sylvester Ellis (1840-1916)

by

EDWARD SYLVESTER ELLIS,

The Author of "The Blue Flag," "Cheerily, Cheerily," Etc.

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"HE WILL BLESS THEM THAT FEAR THE LORD, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT."

[Illustration]

Published by the American Tract Society, 150 Nassau Street, New York.

The character of Blair Robertson, the Fairport boy, will not have been sketched in vain, if it prompt one young American to such a hearty serving of God as will make him a blessing to our dear native land. We have laid the scene of our story fifty years ago, but we trust that its lessons will be none the less appropriate to the present day.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by the AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of the State of New York.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Fairport 5

CHAPTER II.

The young Orator 9

CHAPTER III.

The English Boy 25

CHAPTER IV.

The Patriot's Work 36

CHAPTER V.

Blair's Company 44

CHAPTER VI.

A Pilot 65

CHAPTER VII.

No! 62

CHAPTER VIII.

The Storm 69

CHAPTER IX

A Reward 74

CHAPTER X.

A New Deck 80

CHAPTER XI.

"Mum" 86

CHAPTER XII.

The First Effort 95

CHAPTER XIII.

Temptation 105

CHAPTER XIV.

"Derry Duck" 113

CHAPTER XV.

A Letter 128

CHAPTER XVI.

A Marvel 134

CHAPTER XVII.

The Conflict 144

CHAPTER XVIII.

Wages 152

CHAPTER XIX.

Home 160

CHAPTER XX.

Sacred Joy 170

CHAPTER XXI.

Conclusion 174

THE BOY PATRIOT.

CHAPTER I.

FAIRPORT.

Were you ever on the coast of Maine? If so, you know how the rocky shores stretch out now and then clear into the ocean, and fret the salt waves till they are all in a foam. Old Ocean is not to be so set at defiance and have his rightful territory wrung from him, without taking his revenge after his own fashion. Far up into the land he sends his arms, and crooks and bends and makes his way amid the rocks, and finally falls asleep in some quiet harbor, where the tall pines stand by the shore to sing him a lullaby.

In just such a spot as this the town we shall call Fairport was built. Axe in one hand and Bible in the other, stern settlers here found a home. Strong hard featured sons, and fair rosy cheeked daughters made glad the rude cabins that were soon scattered along the shore. The axe was plied in the woods, and the needle by the fireside, and yet grim Poverty was ever shaking her fist in the very faces of the settlers, and whispering sad things of what the uncertain future might have in store for them.