The Spirit of the Flag

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Dr. Reid, a young American physician in the Philippines, risks his life in the cause of patriotism, and eventually wins the love of the girl of his choice. With the idea of developing in the natives in his community the spirit of manly citizenship, Dr. Reid requests the War Department to furnish him with a number of discarded Winchesters with which to drill the natives. His request is granted and he succeeds in getting together quite an enthusiastic company. Dr, Reid is not the only instructor in patriotism. Young Pauline Bush, a teacher in the Islands, has for some time been instructing her pupils in all that the American flag means to her. When she finds that Dr, Reid is also patriotically inclined, a bond of friendship is cemented between the two Americans. Bonita, one of Pauline's pupils, has for some time been deeply but hopelessly in love with the young doctor, and is very despondent when she sees the growing attraction between the young Americans. Her father wishes to join Dr. Reid's company, but because of his age is not allowed to do so. Dr. Reid, however, gives him a gun, which the old man becomes very fond of. Camped close to the settlement is a company of Spaniards, one of whom, through disorderly conduct, is stripped of his uniform and driven from camp. This renegade makes his way to the settlement and there encounters Bonita, the young native girl. Bonita's beauty attracts the renegade, who makes insulting advances to her. Doctor Reid witnesses the encounter and after a short, sharp fight with the renegade, he is sent about his business. The renegade, smarting under the drubbing he has received, vows revenge on the American, and when he discovers him drilling the natives, he hastens to the Spanish camp and informs the officer in charge that the American doctor is teaching the Filippinos war. The Spaniards hasten to the settlement and finding Bonita's father fondling the gun given him by the doctor; they decide to make an example of him. They seize the old man and drag him to a nearby wall, where they proceed to execute him, Bonita, who witnesses the shooting of her father, is wild with grief, and runs to her beloved teacher and tells her what has occurred. Pauline fearlessly rushes to the place of the execution, and furiously reprimands the two Spaniards who are standing by the body. They debate for a moment, then grab the teacher and attempt to drag her away. Dr. Reid, who is hunting nearby, sees the struggle and swiftly dispatches both soldiers. He hastens to Pauline's side and leads both girls away. Dr. Reid realizes the significance of the shooting of the old man and quickly gathers his little company together. They are not a moment too soon, for the Spaniards charge the settlement. The women and children hide at the school house, where they are at last joined by the men, fighting each inch of the way. A desperate battle is waged around the tiny school house and the doctor and his little band are more than outnumbered. Bonita sees the battle from a distance and hastens swiftly to the American camp and informs the officer what she has seen. The American troops hurry to the scene of the conflict and reach the schoolhouse just as the doctor, who has fired his last round of ammunition, is about to surrender. The Americans quickly drive the Spaniards from the field, but Bonita, who has followed, is shot. She falls, clutching the American flag which she has learned to love. Dr. Reid and Pauline find the young native girl and feelingly drape her remains with the silken folds of "Old Glory."