OCR Text |
Show ENrs mm ttgr-HER&ER- - ujv-- ry r v "s. SOWERBY MAD WAS That Is, Thought He Was at First He r. JACKSON T 'n long-necke- r r i I ' II IK. III If IE- U "aw m long-legge- - it- -. ' -,- TxV-V-t- -- ,t "V C "'f c ' Washington made major at the age of 22 sent on a perilous Jourand Ameri THOUGH the pages of ney of over a thousand mites. can history are adorned eswith the names of many He had many narrow over In his Journey capes great men, none are brightmountains, fording streams er and more . beautifully . ... it j and through forests where j i in itan-rQescruwQ ill " chased gold than those of Indians lay In hiding. After lIuV, and Lincoln. , Washlneton Students' of history are divided in their 111 Vk' I . VJ VVJv judgment which of the two men is the greater. But it is not really important that this question be decided. Destiny planned a certain line of wcrk for both men, and they did that work well. Their Innate ability Is pnly partly responsible for their success; it was their unselfishness and desire to do well whatever they undertook which helped them to succeed where others might have failed. If Lin? pcln deserves praise because necessity epurre.1 him on to greatness, Washington deserves as much credit because be became great without being driven on by necessity. Destiny demanded a double role of Washington she made Jiim a soldier and a statesman, and be performed both well. His trials as resident were almost as great as those be encountered as commander-in-chie- f of the jarmy. He was placed at the head bf a new form of government, and did not have precedents to guide Mm In hia undertaking. It was his early training which taught bim to think calmly His mind once and with judgment. made up, to act without fear. He was born on the banks of the river in a farmhouse; though the bouse was far better than a log cabin, It was not the mansion It Is supposed to have been. It was a large,' roomy place, with a deep sloping roof and a ilg outside chimney at either end. He was oue of many children. His father - was rich hi crops and land, though he tiad little real money. Most Virginia larmers planted tobacco, and when money was scarce they traded this product JIT TjerV7VAi &ySARD for food and clothing. Ills early years were spent on the farm, with plenty of exercise aud little schooling. George loved to his Interview with the French commander he started for home. The Journey back was tramp across the fields, forests and to swim In the streams. His education was gained at worse than going, for the rivers were exceed- a country school where he was taught for three The French governor reIngly treacherous. hours a day. Limited as his education was, fused to heed English commands and continued to build forts, so George Washington was aphe was fond of reading, and he had a book Into which he copied everything he wished to pointed to comnund soldiers to march against th French In the spring. This was the beginremember. In this book he put many rules which he himself had formulated. - These are ning of a war between the French and English, which lasted seven years. Gen. flraddock was only a few of the many: sent over from England and George was made "Labor to keep alive In your breast that lita colonel and commanded the Virginia troops. tle spark ol celestial fire called conscience." Though Braddork was a capable general, he "Think before you peak." did not understand the art of fighting the In"Whisper not In the company of others." dians and refused to heed young Washington's had been Lawrence, one of the advice. The general was shot In one of these sent to England to school, and the parents With this the Redcoats began engagements. had planned the same for George, but the to tried to call them back. but run, Washington father died suddenly, and Mrs. Washington All day he was In the midst of the fight. Four realized she could not afford to tend bim across bullets went through his coat and two horses the ocean. The boy had spent considerable were shot under hlra. time on the wharf and talking to teamen had stoThe war at an end, Washington returned adventure. for These a desire wakened home. He was anxious to see his mother, whom ries created a desire to ears a living as a sailhe had not seen In some time. Though Mrs. or, and be suggested It to his mother. Mrs. Washington was not a brilliant woman, she Washington did not like the Idea of having had plenty- - of good judgment and common George leave home nor did she approve of his sense, and was always ready to give her son career. He was sent back to school to study wise counsel Proud though she was of her surveying. When not studying he was training boy's energy and desire to serve his country hia company of boys to become soldiers, and he she was careful not to spoil him by excessive oTten got very Impatient when they made mispraise. She loved to hear of the hasards of takes. war, but she emphasized the dangers more Shortly after his brother Lawrence had marthan her boy's success. ried the daughter of Lord Fairfax a member of t this family took a great Interest In the boy. campaigns had Hardships and He bad such a fancy for the lad he put him to done much to Impair his health, and he went to Williamsburg to consult a physician. On surveying a large tract of land In the Shenandoah valley. Though the work was no euy this trip ha met Mrs. Martha Custls, widow of task, he was ao strong and enthusiast to be Daniel Parke Custls, one of the wealthiest acquitted himself exceedingly well. He did planters In the colony. They were married not ao alone a boy, George Fairfax, went as some five months later. Very little Is known his aid. They rather enjoyed the new expeof ber except that she was petite, pretty and rience of hunger, cold and facing Indian stratexceedingly devoted to her husband. She was egy. In later years George recalled his expevery proud of his successes, and used all her rience of roughing It In the Shenandoah valenergy to make his trials as cany as she could. There are those who attribute Washington's ley with great pleasure. This work was suddenly Interrupted by sickness In the family. first step upward to his marrlnge. This Is cerLawrence, hU hnlf brnthcr. was 111 and the phytainly untrue, for he was on the road to sue-ce- s sicians snt hint to the West Indies. George when he married her. Whenever Wash went along to keep him company, only to be ' Ington went on a long campaign his wife took taken with smallpox. Although Lawrence up headquarters where she mlKht be near him. started for home, he died after hi return. These winterings gradually became a regular custom. She seldom cotuplulned, although she This was a great shock to George, for the brothers were exceedingly devoted; but the frequently had to put up with Inconvenient When Washington was chosen was a loss of by forgotten (his headquarters. sting commander-in-chieof the army he did not accommission to go to the French who were cept the place with great eagerness, for be building forts on Rnsllsb territory. lie fe n ' ?t v,Mfr It V A s 1 . . 4J. ,1, ixim ' fear To-tom- half-brother- long-fough- f u 1 Sowerby swung his chair around and looked vindictively after a long legged, young man who was gal uniphlug down the hall. "Do you know, Finch," he said as b resumed bis seat, "there are time) when It just does me good to look at Hegclsteln and think how I (1espis him?" Finch jerked up his shoulders wltk what appeared to be a chuckle In a low state of development. "Better take something for it," he suggested. I don't blame him for looking libs a giraffe, resumed Sowerby, "becauss that Isn't his fault. I suppose he can't helping walking like a camel, either But there isn't any necessity" b tapped violently on the arm of hit chair with a lead pencil to emphaHlsa his remarks "there Isn't the slightest necessity for his acting like a cross kan between a pig and garoo." Finch withdrew his gaze from a not of library pante which stood in a largs pigeonhole in his desk and looked slowly around at Sowerby. "I don't see what right you have to call a man a whole menagerie," be said, mild- - , ly. "What's he ever done to youT" "Well, In the first place." sputtered Sowerby, "It makes me tired to set him loping around the halls as It nt was the only man In the place thai had anything to do. And then I gel so mad at myself for jumping out of his way before I realize that be Isn't an automobile exceeding the speed limit, Instead of a blame chump thai hasn't got sense enough to keep to bis own side of the road." Sowerby paused to Hharpon his lead pencil, which be bad broken In hia excitement, while Kitch waited with his eyes again fixed on the paste pot "And then that trick he has of hopping past you when you're waiting for the elevator, for fear he won't beat you to the first carfor all the world I'll hick like a darn kangaroo, him downstairs fur It some nlKht. at Sowerby looked threateningly Finch, who emitted another Imperfect-l- y developed chuckle. "And say,'" went on Sowerby, "did you ever watch him in the lunchroom? Actually, I've known him to grab half a dozen things from right under my band. I'll get mad some day and pour a glass of ice water down his foes, basneck." He kicked bis waste-pape- r ket heatedly. "And whqn he begins to eat! Holy smoke!" t "Hegelsteln isn't a pretty sight wbes he's feeding," admitted Finch. "But yon don't have to look at him. I don't." , Sowerby snorted. "It ought to bs against the law for a man to eat the way Hegelsteln does," he fumed. "It I had my way" The door opened and McNab came in with a bunch of papers In bis hand. "Say, Sowerby, what d'ye do about that Kozminskl case?" asked McNab. "By George, I've been so doggoned. busy the last two or three days 1 haven't got around to It yet" returned Sowerby. "I'm going to, though." McNab strolled over to the window and looked up at the sky. "Looks like snow," he observed. "Does look like It," agreed Sowerby. Finch turned a speculative eye oa the prospect outside, but did sot commit himself. ."Heard about Hegelsteln T" asked McNab, propping bis shoulder against tbe window frame and turning half round. "No. What about him?" Sowerby and Finch both spoke at once. "Going to be canned," said McNas. "Canned! How's that?" exclaimed Sowerby. McNab laid his papers down on tbe radiator, jerked up bis trousers legs at the knees and sat down on tbe window sill. "Kinder comical the way It happened," he began. "Seems the old mas was down on this floor last Rightabout closing time came down to see Pitman about something, and he was standing out here waiting for the elevator when along comes HegelsUtn, Jones waa standing there and he says Hegelsteln come chasing along as If the elevator ran only once a a week and he was just about to miss It Seems the old man had on bis automobile togs and Hegelsteln dldu't recognize him not expecting to see him oa this floor, anyhow and as he goes by ' the old man Hegelsteln gives him jolt that pretty near upsets him. Jones says It was the funniest thing he ever saw In his life. The old mas skated all over the hall. He wasn't so astonished, though, but that he caught on to who bumped him before Hegel-stel- n got In the elevator. "This morning the old man sends for Pitman and tells him to fire Hegelsteln. 'Won't have a man that goes around knocking people down In tbe halls,' Pitman says the old man says, 'He's no gentleman, confound bim!' "The old man was awful sore, Plt-mssays. So Hcgolstcln's got to go." "Humph!" said Sowerby as McNab stood up and shook down first one trousers leg and then the other. "Looks like a mighty small thing t fire a man for. Why," he went on, warmly, "there Ixn't any harm la Hegeliueln. That's just his wsy. He means all right. 1 never saw a fellow that meant any better than Hegelsteln. Conned! By George! Now, what do you think of that?" Finch meditatively snapped a rubber band at the paste pot and held bis peace. knew It was to be a long and hard fought war, and a position latent with responsibility. The struggle was as difficult as he Imagined, for many times during the war the soldiers were ready to lay down their arms and go home, but his courage never failed him and he pushed on. When the sky lookea blackest he would plan some campaign to make of defeat a victory. A happy Illustration of this was when one Christmas nli;ht the soldiers were quite ready to give up and go home. They were camping on the banks of the Delaware. Pointing to the other side, he said: "Our enemy Is camping there." They were Hessian soldiers, and since It was Christmas night, they were celeIt was with difficulty the army brating. crossed, for the night was wild, dark and cold. Dut In spite of the great blocks of Ice on the river, Washington managed to get his army across, and a victory was the result. A more difficult year was spent In Valley Forge. It was a long, cold winter, the soldiers hungry for food, and they did not have enough clothing and blankets to keep themselves warm. Many times they were on the verge of mutlneerlng. It was only by means of his tact and good Judgment that be brought harmony Into camp and gave the war a successful ending. After leaving the army be went back home and spent much time Improving the farm. The Mount Vernon estate gradually became an expensive affair. Here he kept open house, and never a day went by without his receiving call-er- a Some of the dinners ' and and friends. levees were often elaborate, and he struggled hard not to appear bored. He had hoped to spend the rest of his life among these pleasant surroundings. He often told his friends: "Let those who wish such things as office be at the head of things, I Co not wish them. All I desire now Is to settle down at Mount Vernon and to enjoy my farm." Dut after the constitution was ratified and the votes of the electors were opened and counted It was found that During everyone had voted for Washington. hls'presldency he had many knotty problems, but lie met them all with good sense and Judgment. Ilecause be played the double role of commander of the army and the first president of this nation equally well he Is entitled to the name, the Father of His Country. THE MEANS." "END JUSTIFIES "The end justifies the means." This motto, from the coat-o- f arms of Washington, will no doubt flash Into the minds of certain admirers of the father of his country who glance at the genealogical tree, which Is England's latest contribution to the question of Washington's ancestry. "Let no man fancy he knows sport," said the d late Moncure D. Conway, "unless he has family treed an ancestor of George Washington." Yet, despite the many clever scholars and antiquarians of America who have tried their hands at this ' sport," it has remained for a fellow of the Royal Historical society of England, Rev. Frederick W. Ragg, to convey to us the latest Interesting revelation regarding the ancestry of our first president Darrlng those that champion the truly demothan cratic standpoint, less prevalent It was In 1620, which scorns to connect Itself with old world titles and abhors royalty, there remain many liberal souls among us who do not grudge to one who was acknowledged first In war and first In peace a share In the homage accorded the first family of England. to-da- Edward I. was himself a mighty warrior, and In many wars; his prowess was early exercised on the Turks, during the last crusade ever embarked on by England's kings, and when the throne became his own he success fully carried out his project of uniting England, Scotland and Wales. He brought the famous to Westminster abbey, and . stone of Scone under him England became a mighty nation. He was a monarch wise and great, even though he had little leaning toward democratic government and did not display special fondness for Magna Charter. Edward Longshanks was not 'an ancestor to be despised by his descendant George, of kingly bearing and equally long legs. . That this direct line of descent has not until now been established may seem a bit surprising In vlew of the exhaustive research that has been devoted to the Washington ancestry. The reason Is, however, not difficult to understand when one reflects that such research baa been concerned exclusively with the male line, while this royal blood Is Introduced Into the family by Margaret Uutler, who married Laurence Washington In 1588. . Mr. Worthlngton Chauncey Ford and others who have made a special study of the Washington pedigree trace the line back to John Wash-Ingtoof Whitfield, five generations back of the aforesaid Laurence and his wife Margaret These students state that this Margaret Butler was the daughter of William Butler of Tlghes, Sussex, but do not follow the Butler pedigree back of this point. Here Mr. Rngg has taken up the quest, and after careful study of old records, tombstones, and entries In church registers has proved that William Butler, father of Mrs. Laurence Washington, stands tenth In direct descent from Edward I. Reference to the above geneulogleal tree Just completed by Mr. Ragg, end verified since Its arrival In America by various genealogical experts, who have pronounced It satisfactory, will show conclusively that George Washington i In the sixteenth generation In direct descent from the monarch in question, and Is, there the fore, great great- - great great-grea- t great grandson of Edward I. Plantagenet. first . n n |