Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-26
WASHINGTON'S DEATH.

Man proposes, God dispOses.' The {
quiet enjoyment so longed for as the fit
ting close of life of arduous duty, the :
period of peace and self-recollection, and
solemn special preparation for new con-
dition of being, desired by the wise and
good man, was destined to be short in
deed Scarcely had the prospect of war
faded away, and the country returned to
its usual occupations and its rests, and
the enjoyment of the good secured to it
by the tolls of its brave defenders, when
ne who had been foremost in labors and |
sacrifices, wisest in council, most patient
under defeat and obloquy, most moderate
in victory, least elated by praise, was
summoned to the Great Audit, the ma
ure and Importance of which he had so
well learned when a child at his mothers
knee. His time on earth was suddenly
finished, and we may consider it new
mark of the Heavenly favor that he was
vildrawn from a scene in which he had
acted so conspicuous a part before the
allure of his powers had lessened the
UNIVERSAL reverence he had been able to
rare Washington was not left 10 out
Ire himself His sun went not down in
Gloomy clouds, but, canopied gloriously
By the peoples love, and the whole worlds
reverance, shone with full splendor to the
last. His rural occupations were pur-
sued with unabated interest and vigor !;
he drew up plans for the management of
his estate extending to some four years
ahead, saying that even plan not the
best was better than no plan ; he plant
ed trees, for shade as well as fruit; be
beautifed his estate by care Of the gar
dens and shrubbery +; and he never, un-
less in case of very bad weather, omitted
his daily ride round the estate, for the mi
mute inspection of the farm business, and
the care of the negroes.
But in December, 1899, there was a
cold and rather threatening morning,
whose bleak winds should have warned
a man of sixty-eight that the tre-side was
the best place for him. Washington,
however, disregarding bis wifes prudent
advice, rode out as usual, having some
,t.u,. psll lrouie.I sD, s.,sO.,>l Il Lv1~r
70 rain and snow soon after he departed,
About dinner time he returned, cold and
weary, and somewhat wet, the rain hav-
no penetrated to his neck, while snow
hung on his white locks. Mrs. Washing,
tol was concerned to see this, and begged
pin to make some change in his dress
but he thought it unnecessary, saying hi;
great coat had protected him. He spen
the evening as usual, reading aloud tC
family, although he was observed to be ;
little hoarse. The next day, which prov
ed still more stormy, he seemed nearly a.
well as usual, although he complained o
having taken cold, and the weather pre-
vented his ride. He franked some let
tiers which Mr.. Lear had written, bat for
bore to send them to the post-office, say
ing the weather was too bad to send
servant out with them. At interval:
when the skies were little more favor
able, he went out to attend to the plant
ing of some trees. The evening of thi
day, Friday, December l3, passed in til
usual domestic way, the General wa
cheerful, and reading aloud a little, tn
with evident difficulty from increase
hoarseness.
About three in the morning he awok
Mrs. Washington, saying that he had
chill, and felt very unwell but he wou
not allow her to get up, lest she shou
take cold. At daylight, when the Sc
wants came to make fire, he desired tn
4 person on the farm-the overseer, WI
was in the habit of performing the off
for the negroes-should be sent for
bleed him.
Bleeding used to be remedy for ;
sorts of diseases, especially in the cou
try, where the services ola physician ca
not readily be obtained. This practiC
very much objected to by Mrs. Washin
ton at the time, is now universally co
demned, and it was doubtless the We
worst remedy that could have been tri
in the case of Washington, an old ma
and extremely temperate habits. I
overseer hesitated, and opened a vC
timidly but his master insisted, sayir
though with difficulty Don't be afra
the orifce is not large enough But /
disease, which was in the throat, grr
worse hour by hour.
As the day went on, there were furtf
attempts to reduce the patient, who,
THIS time, had begun to need all his
naming strength to draw his labori
breath.
4 cannot last long, he said to