“When I commanded brave soldiers, they never pillaged--I should have punished them severely! And still more severely would I have punished officers who allowed such disorders as you are all now engaged in!” “And who are you, my pretty old man,” cried the officers with sneers and laughter, “who are you that you dare to speak to us in such a tone, and with such boldness!” “I am Kosciuszko,” was the quick reply. Each man stood fixed to the spot. Each was paralyzed with astonishment. There, before them with flashing eyes, stood Poland’s hero--the Polish soldiers’ “Father Thaddeus.” Then the men threw down their arms to the ground. They cast themselves at his feet. They sprinkled dust upon their heads as was their wild custom at home. They crept close to him, hugging his knees and begging for his forgiveness--for the forgiveness of their “Father Thaddeus.” * * * * * When Kosciuszko died in Switzerland, in 1817, there was found in his bosom next his heart, the blood-stained handkerchief which his lost love Ludwika had dropped beside him, so long before. To-day, in a little chapel at the foot of the lime-planted Hill, the Lindenhof, there is a bronze urn, in which lies the once brave heart of Thaddeus Kosciuszko. THE LITTLE FRIEND IN FRONT STREET _He entitled himself to the gratitude of the entire Country._ _Ex-President_ WILLIAM H. TAFT He was only a little man in his office on Front Street, Philadelphia. Only a little man--but how great! Without his help our War for Independence might have been lost. He helped to save the Country not with a sword, but by giving all the means that he had and expecting nothing in return. This little man--his “little friend in Front Street,” as James Madison called him--was Haym Salomon, a Polish Jew and a Patriot. Through Robert Morris, who was Superintendent of Finance, during the War for Independence, Haym Salomon loaned money to establish the Government and to pay the soldiers. Without his money, Washington could scarcely have held the Army together. And all the while, the little friend in Front Street was refusing any interest on his loans; and some of these loans were never repaid at all. And he not only financed the Nation, but generously made personal advances of money without interest to members of the Government, in order that they might keep on in their patriotic work. “When any member was in need, all that was necessary was to call upon Salomon,” said James Madison. But it was not only by financing our young Nation, that Haym Salomon showed his Patriotism. He was born in Poland of an intelligent educated family. He knew many languages. He was a friend of Kosciuszko and Pulaski. Because of oppression, he left Poland and came to New York City. He married and settled down to business. He soon found, however, that the Americans were heavily oppressed by England. So he threw himself heart and soul into the cause for Independence.