Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-10
From, the Christian Witness.

on the pit of the stomach.
From the Christian Witness.
RELIGIOUS OPINIONS AND CHARACTER OF
WASHINGTON.
The following anecdote, beautiful in
many Of its features, contains striking
illustration Of Washiagton's habits Of priv.
ate devotion:
can additional example as occurring
during the war, and taken from respect.
able literary journal published in New
York, is here inserted as having in its
prominent points all the appearance oftruth.
"One pleasant evening in the month Of
June, in the year II, aman was observed
entering the borders of a wood, near the
Hudson river, his appearance that of a
person above the common rank. The
inhabitants of a country village would
have dignifed him with the title Of squire,
and from his manner, have pronounced him
proud, but those more accustomed 10 soclc.
ty would inform you, there was something
like military air about him. His horse
painted as if it had been hard pushed for
some miles, yet from the owners frequent
stops to caress the patient animal, he could
not be charged with want Of humanity; but
seemed to be actuated by some urgent
necessity. The riders 'forsaking good
road for the by-path leading through the
woods, indicated desire to avoid the gaze
of other travellers. He had not left the
house where he inquired the direction of the
aforementioned path, more than two hours,
before the quieiude Of the place was broken
by the noise of distant thunder. He was
soon obliged to dismount, travelling becom.
ing dangerous, as darkness concealed sur
rounding objects, except when helightnings
terrific flash afforded a momentary view
of his situation. A peal louder and Of
longer duration than any Of the preceding,
which now burst over his head, seeming
as if it would rend the woods asunder, was
quickly followed by heavy fall of rain,
which penetrated the clothing Of the stran.
ger ere he could obtain the shelter''of large
oak, which stood at little distance.
"Almost exhausted with the labors Of
the day, he was about making such dis
position of the saddle and his own coat, as
would enable him to pass the night with
what comfort circumstances would admit,
when he spicd light glimmering through
the trees. Animated with the hope of
better lodgings, he determined to proceed.
The way, which was somewhat steep, be-
came attended wih'more obstaclest the far.
thcr he advanced, the soil being composed
of clay, which the rain had rendered so soft
that his feet slipped at every step. By
the utmost perseverance, this difficulty was
finally overcome without any accident, and
he had the pleasure of finding himself in
front of decent looking farmhouse. The
watch dog began barking, which brought
the owner of the mansion to the door.
mWho is there? said he.
~A friend who has lost his way, and in
search of a place of Shelter was the answer.
"Come in sir added the first speaker,
.and whatever my house will afford, you
shall have with welcome
.sI must first provide for the weary
companion Of my Journey remarked the
other.
.But the former undertook the task, and
after conducting the new conner into q
room where his wife was seated, he led the
horse to a well-stored barn, and there pro.
vdcd for him most bountifully. On re-
Joining the traveller, he observed, 'lhat is
a noble animal of yours, sir
"Yes, was the reply, and | am sorry
that was obliged to misuse him so, as to
make it necessary to 6 i've you so much
trouble with the care of him; but | have
vet to thank you for your kindness to both
of u.s. =.
".I did no more than my duty, SIR SAID
the entertainer, 'and therefore am entitled
to no thanks. But Susan,' added he, turn
ing to the hostess, with a halfreproachfu
look, why have you not given the gentle
man somthing to eat?
"Fear had prevented the good woman
from exercising her wcll.krown benevo
lencc; for robbery had been committee
by lawlcss band of depredators, but
few days before, in that neighborhood, ant
as report stated that the ruflians were al
well-dresscd, her imagination suggeste'
that this man might be one of them.
"At her husbands remonstrance, sir
now readily engaged in repairing her error
. by preparing a plentiful repast. During
tho meal there was much interesting con
versation among the three. AS soon a
the worthy countryman perceived that hi
guest had satisfied his appetite, he informe
. him, that i, WIS TOW the hour at which Il