Molly was on her feet proposing , `` Liberty forever , and down with all tyrants , '' to judge from her flashing eyes as she held her egg-shell cup aloft , while the others lifted theirs to drink the toast , and Merry , as hostess , sat with her hand on an antique teapot , labelled `` Sage , '' ready to fill again when the patriotic ladies were ready for a second `` dish . '' This was much applauded , and the curtain went up again , for the proud parents enjoyed seeing their pretty girls in the faded finery of a hundred years ago . The band played `` Auld Lang Syne , '' as a gentle hint that our fore-mothers should be remembered as well as the fore-fathers . It was evident that something very martial was to follow , for a great tramping , clashing , and flying about took place behind the scenes while the tea-party was going on . After some delay , `` The Surrender of Cornwallis '' was presented in the most superb manner , as you can believe when I tell you that the stage was actually lined with a glittering array of Washington and his generals , Lafayette , Kosciusko , Rochambeau and the rest , all in astonishing uniforms , with swords which were evidently the pride of their lives . Fife and drum struck up a march , and in came Cornwallis , much cast down but full of manly resignation , as he surrendered his sword , and stood aside with averted eyes while his army marched past , piling their arms at the hero 's feet . This scene was the delight of the boys , for the rifles of Company F had been secured , and at least a dozen soldiers kept filing in and out in British uniform till Washington 's august legs were hidden by the heaps of arms rattled down before him . The martial music , the steady tramp , and the patriotic memories awakened , caused this scene to be enthusiastically encored , and the boys would have gone on marching till midnight if Ralph had not peremptorily ordered down the curtain and cleared the stage for the next tableau . This had been artfully slipped in between two brilliant ones , to show that the Father of his Country had to pay a high price for his glory . The darkened stage represented what seemed to be a camp in a snow-storm , and a very forlorn camp , too ; for on `` the cold , cold ground '' -LRB- a reckless display of cotton batting -RRB- lay ragged soldiers , sleeping without blankets , their worn-out boots turned up pathetically , and no sign of food or fire to be seen . A very shabby sentinel , with feet bound in bloody cloths , and his face as pale as chalk could make it , gnawed a dry crust as he kept his watch in the wintry night . A tent at the back of the stage showed a solitary figure sitting on a log of wood , poring over the map spread upon his knee , by the light of one candle stuck in a bottle . There could be no doubt who this was , for the buff-and-blue coat , the legs , the nose , the attitude , all betrayed the great George laboring to save his country , in spite of privations , discouragements , and dangers which would have daunted any other man . `` Valley Forge , '' said someone , and the room was very still as old and young looked silently at this little picture of a great and noble struggle in one of its dark hours . The crust , the wounded feet , the rags , the snow , the loneliness , the indomitable courage and endurance of these men touched the hearts of all , for the mimic scene grew real for a moment ; and , when a child 's voice broke the silence , asking pitifully , `` Oh , mamma , was it truly as dreadful as that ? '' a general outburst answered , as if every one wanted to cheer up the brave fellows and bid them fight on , for victory was surely coming . In the next scene it did come , and `` Washington at Trenton '' was prettily done . An arch of flowers crossed the stage , with the motto , `` The Defender of the Mothers will be the Preserver of the Daughters ; '' and , as the hero with his generals advanced on one side , a troop of girls , in old-fashioned muslin frocks , came to scatter flowers before him , singing the song of long ago : -- `` Welcome , mighty chief , once more Welcome to this grateful shore ; Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow , -- Aims at thee the fatal blow . `` Virgins fair and matrons grave , Those thy conquering arm did save , Build for thee triumphal bowers ; Strew , ye fair , his way with flowers , -- Strew your hero 's way with flowers . '' And they did , singing with all their hearts as they flung artificial roses and lilies at the feet of the great men , who bowed with benign grace .
Jack , who did Lafayette with a limp , covered himself with glory by picking up one of the bouquets and pressing it to his heart with all the gallantry of a Frenchman ; and when XXXXX lifted the smallest of the maids and kissed her , the audience cheered .
Cornwallis Father Kosciusko Rochambeau Strew Syne Virgins Washington discouragements snow-storm