“It bore strange fruit sometimes,” said Grandfather. “One morning in August, 1765, two figures were found hanging on the sturdy branches of Liberty Tree. They were dressed in square-skirted coats and smallclothes, and as their wigs hung down over their faces they looked like real men. One was intended to represent the Earl of Bute, who was supposed to have advised the King to tax America. The other was meant for the effigy of Andrew Oliver, a gentleman belonging to one of the most respectable families in Massachusetts.” “What harm had he done?” inquired Charley. “The King had appointed him to be distributer of the stamps,” answered Grandfather. “Mr. Oliver would have made a great deal of money by this business; but the people frightened him so much by hanging him in effigy, and afterward by breaking into his house, that he promised to have nothing to do with the stamps. And all the King’s friends throughout America were compelled to make the same promise.” NOTES AND QUESTIONS =Discussion.= 1. Describe the loyalty of the colonists to King George. 2. Give two reasons why the colonies began to feel more and more independent. 3. What were some of the laws passed by the English Parliament that made the colonies wish for independence? 4. What was the Stamp Act? 5. Would you have felt as Clara did or as Laurence felt? 6. Describe the change that these wrongs wrought in the colonists. 7. Describe the congress proposed by the Massachusetts legislature. 8. What did this congress do? 9. Why was this congress so important? 10. How did Liberty Tree get its name? 11. What “fruit” did it bear? 12. Pronounce the following: comprehend; sagacious; tributaries; effigy; Parliament. =Phrases= sagacious men, 355, 11 illegal and void, 356, 1 stubborn resistance, 356, 17 the aspect of the people, 356, 24 oppressive act, 356, 26 subject of the Crown, 356, 33 public measures, 356, 34 humble petition to the King, 357, 12 memorable event, 357, 18 remonstrances and petitions, 357, 22 violent deeds, 357, 27 hanging him in effigy, 358, 13 BRITISH SOLDIERS STATIONED IN BOSTON The next evening, Clara, who remembered that our chair had been left standing in the rain under Liberty Tree, earnestly besought Grandfather to tell when and where it had next found shelter. Perhaps she was afraid that the venerable chair, by being exposed to the inclemency of a September gale, might get the rheumatism in its aged joints.