The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-01-19
NO. 81.

to deal gently with her, appeared bent on
testing her speed and other qualities. and
tina, too in a manner little likely to meet
with favor in man Of Washinglon's high
sense Of propriety. lie would leave the
train, and riding up to one Of these liquor
ing establishments. there remain till we
were out Of sight; when he would come
up upon tie run, ride with us awhile, and
gallop on forward 10 the next. This he
repeated three times, the last Of which
brought the mettlesome creature to foam
and evidently much fretied her. At the
first transgresslon thus committed against
the Generals orders respecting the mare,
as well as against his known sense Of
propriety, he seemed surprised, looking
as if he wondered at the young mans te-
merity, and contented himself with throw
ing after him glance Of displeasure. Al
the second, he appeared highly incensed,
although he said nothing, and repressed
his Indignation, acting as if he thought
this must be the last offence, for the pun
iShmenl Of which he chose private occa-
sion. But as the offender rode up the
third time, Washington hastily threw
open the carriage window, and asking the
driver to halt, sharply ordered the former
alongside when with upilted cane, and
tone and emphasis which startled all,
and made the culprit shrink and tremble
like leaf, he exclaimed, "Look you, sir !
Your condnct is unsunerable Fall in
behind there, sir; and as sure as you
leave us again, will break every bone in
your skin ~
1t is needless, presume, to say that
the offence was not repeated, or that the
young gallant needed any more tanning.
Here SAID Capt. L., now taking from
drawer and handing me for inspection
deed of Washingtons drafting, so singu-
larry brief as to be all embraced in seven
or eigh, lines written in a bold hand
across hal-shect Of shor; fcolscap, yet
constituting, though not one word could
have been spared, conveyance Of real
estate to the grantee and heirs, which, as
far as could be perceived, was perfectly
legal; Here is deed Of a plantation
from Gen. Washington 10 me, which |
show yon, not only as curiosity of itself,
but for the sake of introducing the pleas
ant little incident out Of which i, Original
ted. Soon after leaving, the Generals
employment, | CHANGED to be riding
through the interior of Virginia, when
came across a deserted plantation. the
situation and general appearance OF which.
though oveIrun with weeds and bushes,
yet pleased me so much, that took the
frs, opportunity 10 make some inquiries
concerning its ownership, &c, and way
told that it was supposed TO belong t.
Gen. Washington. The night after |
reached home, went to sleep thinking
of this plantation, and wondering that J,
who supposed knew all Washing,on's
lands, never heard of it before: when l
happened, know not why, TO dream tina.
the General made present of it TO me.
The next day, as il further happened, |
rode over to Mount Vernon, the General
being then a, home. A'ier attending to
the more immediate object Of my visit, l
asked him if he owned such plantation
as the one had seen, now describing it
TO him. At first he replied in the mega
tive, but soon rising and going TO consult
book in which he kept record Of all
his deeds, he said he did own the irac, Of
land, but though Of value, he had entirely
overlooked it for some years.
lowell, General" said banteringly,
II dreamed last night that you gave me
that plantation"
Washington, contrary 10 his usual
habit, laughed outright, and observed,
'"You did not dream Noun. Vernon
away from me, did you -
80 no, was not so grasping as that,
tho honestly had the Dream replied
in the same vein Of pleasantly when
nothing more being said, the affair on my
part passed from my mind as joke, and
was forgotten It seemed however, thai
nv dream was not SO vain one as | had
supposed; for the next morning, as was
taking my leave, the General dropped a
folded paper into my hat, carelessly re-
marking that could examine it at some
leisure opportunity. did so, and TO my
great agreeable surprise, found i. 10 be
this very deed, made ont, probably. after
had retired the night before, and convey
ing as YOU perceive, for the consideration
of natural affection, the valuable plantation
: had discovered DIP. T.
Spare minutes are the gold dust OF times
and Young was writing true, as well as
striking line when he affirmed that
Islands made the mountains, and mo-
:, 1919 .,aLn lilo Nnnr ~ 'Eha snnrc min.