over, and that Washington was beaten, only to wake up next morning and find themselves in a new trap. They called Washington a fox. Indeed, he had all the cleverness of a fox, with the courage of a lion.

Little by little he wore the English generals out. He beat them in one place after another, until at last he beat them for good.

But the Americans came near losing, more than once. It was not because they had a small army and little money. It was because of treason!

A false friend, an Englishman who pretended to be a friend of Liberty, was made an American general, and he planned to betray the American army to the enemy. His name was Charles Lee. He failed.

Worse than a false friend, one of the American leaders, a truly fine soldier who had fought bravely, turned traitor through anger and jealousy. His name was Benedict Arnold. He too failed. But both nearly succeeded.

There is no enemy so deadly as a false friend, and no danger so great as treason. Treason means turning against your own country in secret, and plotting with the enemy so that they may win. A man who plans treason betrays his country as Judas betrayed Jesus.

Washington had to struggle against treason. And in the war of 1917 our President and our generals had to struggle against it. Many false friends and some base traitors were working in America during that war.

As American children let us pray that our country may forever be delivered from treason as she was in the Revolutionary War. Let us pray that no American shall yield to the temptation of enemy gold, or enemy flattery, and so leave his name blackened for all the centuries to come, as Benedict Arnold's was blackened.

TH

and honor, were raised for the first time over the Capitol of the new country in 1789. They flew for the first President of the United States of America, George Washington.

George Washington was the General of the little American army that won the war, as we know. And when the war was over the people knew they could find no other man so fitted to lead them in their new

life as Americans. So General Washington became President Washington, and he was as fine a President as he had been General. He was so wise and noble a President that he is called "the Father of his Country."

Some of the best stories in American history are the stories of George Washington as a boy. We all read them. There is a good story about his riding a 'colt, and there are fine stories about his fighting the Indians.

Even as a boy George Washington was the soul of honor; he said what was true, and kept his word. No one could frighten him into a trick or a lie.

He was brought up on a large plantation, and was taught to manage his workmen, and to master himself. He had a good education, both in books and in living. His mother was a fine wise gentlewoman, and their home was very beautiful.

All the good things American mothers and fathers wish for their children were his; a healthy outdoor life, study and play, money enough, home love, and high ideals. When the time came that his country needed him he had this true wealth to give: health, wisdom, ability, and character. And he put them all at his country's service.

George Washington was able to solve the hard problems of the War of the Revolution. He was also able to solve the problems of a new kind of government. That was very hard, for the men in the government were all new at governing, and all had their own ideas. But the President was very, very wise; he always saw what must be done. And he was firm as a rock; he was a tower of strength.

All the world says that George Washington was one of the ablest generals in history, and one of the great statesmen of the world.

America is very fortunate that her first President was a truly great man. Some countries have for their first hero only a fighter. But George Washington was a great general, a great statesman, and a very good and modest man besides. He was "first in war, first peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

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As American children we may be proud that our country was fathered, not by a robber or a tyrant, but by a true Christian, a great American gentleman.