Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-03-20

we seek IN steep"
The host now reached the bible from The
shelf, and after reading chapter and sing
ing, concluded the whole with feryentI
prayer then, lighting pine-knot, con-
Quoted the person he had entertained to his
chamber, wished HIM good nights resi-
and retired to the adjoining apartment.
"John," whispered the woman, "that is
a good gentleman, and not one of the high
waymen, as supposed"
"Yes, SUSAN" said he, q like him better
for thinking Of his God, than for all his
kind enquiries after our welta.e. wish
our Peter had been home from the army, If
it was only to hear this good man talk,
am sure Washington himself could not say
more for his country, nor give better his
tory OF the hardships endured by our brave
soldiers"
"Who knows now" inquired the wife,
"but it may be he himself, after all, my
dear; for they do say he travels Just so, all
alone, sometimes. Hank! what's that?n
The sound of a voice came from the
chamber of the guest, who was now en-
gagged in private religious worship. After
thanking the Creator for HIS many mercies, I
and then asking blessing on the inhabi-
tants of the house, he continued, "and now
Almighty Father, if 1t is thy holy will,
that we shall obtain place and name
among the nations of the earth, grant that
we may be enabled to show our gratitude
for thy goodness, by our endeavors to fear
and obey thee. Bless Us with wisdom IN
orr councils, success IN baltic, and let all
our victories De tempered with humanity.
tndow, also, our enemies with enlightened
minds, that they may become sensible of
sheIr injustice, and willing 10 restore our
liberty and peace.-tirant tie petition OF
Thy servant, for the sake of him whom thou
has called thy beloved son: nevertheless,
not my will, but thine be done.-Amen"
The next morning the traveller, decIn
ing the pressing solicitations TO breakfast
with his host, declared /, was necessary for
him to cross the river Immediately; AT The
same time offering part of his purse as
compensation for what he had received,
which was refused.
Swell. sir" continued he, sssince YOU
will not permit me to compensate you for
your trouble, it is but just that 1 should in =
form you on whom you have conferred so
many obligations, aud also add to them,
by requesting your assistance i'll crossing
the river. ! had been out yesterday en-
deavoring to obtain some information res
Pecting our enemy, and being alone, ven-
tured too far from Inc camp On my re-
turn, was surprised by foraging party :,
and only escaped by my knowledge of the
roads, and the fleetness of my horse. M,
name is George Washington
Surprise kept the listener silent for
moment; then, after successfully repeating
the invitation to partake of some refresh-
ment. he FASTENED to call two negroes, with
whose assistance he placed the horse on
small raft Of timber that was living in the
river, near the door, and ,on conveyed
tho General TO the opposite side, where he
left him TO pursue his way TO the camp,
wishing him a safe and prosperous jour
ney. On his return to the house, he found
that while he was engaged in making pre-
parations for conveying the horse across
the river, his illustrious visitor had per-
suaded his wife to accept token of re-
membrance, which the family are proud of
exhibiting to this day.
The above is only one Of the hazards en-
countered by this truly great patriot, for
the purpose of transmitting TO posterlty the
treasures we now ENJOY. Let us acknowl-
edge the benefits received, by our endeav-
ors to preserve them in their purity; and
by keeping in remembrance the great
source from whence these blessings flow,
may we be enabled to render our names
worthy of being enrolled with that Of the
''Father of his country."-N. Y. Mirror.
A passage in The life Of Major Downing's
Autobiography.
We used to have a school in Downing
vile about three months in the winter sea-
son and two months in the summer, and l
went to the winter school three winters
from the time was twelve till | was fifteen
And was called about the best scholar of
my age that there was in school. But to
be impartial, must confess the praise did
Mt always belong to me, for used some
times TO work head work little in order
get the name Of being smart scholar.
One instance OF 1t was in reading. got
along in reading SO well, that the master
said l read better than some Of the boys
that were considerable older ltan 1, and
hat had been to school dozen winters.
But the way managed twas this. There
was cousin Obediah was the best reader
here was in school, and as clever boy as
one in a thousand, only his father had at
got no orchard. So used to carry great