Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-14
floors, which were waxed, not, as with US, car

floors, which were waxed, not, as with US, car
petcd.
Passing through the great hall, ornamented
with pictures of English hunting scenes we as
cended the oaken staircase, with Its carved and
antique balustrade: we stood at tho door-we
passed the haudle-the room, and the bed where
he died were before us. Nothing in tho lofty
drama Of his existence surpassed the grandeur
of that final scene The cold which he had ta-
ken from exposure, in overseeing some part of
his grounds and which had resisted the earlier
domestic remedies that were applied, advanced
in the ccurse of two slort days to that frightful
form of disease of the throat, laryngitis. 1t
becsno necessary for him to take his bed His
valued friend, DR.. Craik, was instantly sum-
moned; and assisted by the best medical skill of
the surrounding country, exhausted all the
means Of his art, but without affording him re-
lief He patiently submitted, though in great
distress to tho various remedies proposed, but it
became evident from the deep gloom settling
upon the countcnances of the m edical gentle
Hen, that tho case was hopcless; advancing iu-
siduously, the diseasshad fastened itself with
deadly certainty. Looking with perfect calm
ness upon the sobbing group around him, he
said, grie'e not my friends it is as anticipa-
ted from the first; the debt which we all owe is
now about to be paid. | am resigned to tho
event" Requesting Mrs, Washington to bring
two wills from his escritoir, he directed one to
be burned, and placed the other in her hands,
as his last testament, and then gave some final
instructions to Mr.. Lear, his Secretary and rela-
tive, as to the adjustment OF his business affairs.
He soon after became greatly distressed; and IS
in the paroxysms, which became more frequent
and violent, Mr.. Lear, who was ut his side, as
sieted him to turn, he, with kindness, but with
difficulty, articulated, " fear give you great
trouble, sir but perhaps it is duty which We
all owe on, to another trust you may receive
the same attentisn when you shall require it,"
As the night wanod, the fatal symptoms be-
came more imminent his breath more laborod
and sufocatng and his veico now failed him.
Perceiying his end approaching, he Strengthened
himself to his full length he folded his own
hands in the necessary attitude upon his chest,
placing his finger upon the pulse Of the left
wrist, and thus calmly prepared, watching his
own dissolution, he awaited the Summons of his
Maker The last faint hope of his friends had
disappeared; Mrs. Washington, stupeGed with
grief, sat at the foot of the bed, her eyes fixed
steadtastly upon him DR.. Craik in deep gloom,
stood with his face buried in his hands ut the
fire ; his black servant Christopher, the tears
uncontrolled, trickling down his face, on one
side, took the last look of his dying master;
while Mr.. Lear, in speeches. grief, with folded
hand bent over his pillow on the other.
Nought broke the stiffness Of his last mo-
nlents, but the suppressed sobs Of tho atTaction-
ate servants collected on the staircase the tick
of the largo clock in the hall as it measured off,
with painful distiuctaess, the last feoting mo-
ments of Ills existence, and the low moan Of the
winter wind, as it swept through tho leaaess,
snow-coyorcd trees. The laboring and wearied
spirit drew nearer and nearer to its goal; the
blood languidly coursed slower and more slowly
through its channels tue noble heart stopped,
struggled, stopped, huttered the right hand
slowly slid from the wrist upon which its finger
had boon placed; it fell at the sido and the
manly sfBgy Of Washington was all that re-
,naincl extended upon the death couch.