The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-10-19
AnecdOtc Of Washington.

In 1854 he was stationed at Alexandra
with his regiment, the only one in the col
ony, of which he was the colonel. There
happened at that time to be an election in
Alexandra for members of the assembly,
and the ballot ran high between Col George
Fairfax and Mr.WiIlam m E!gey. Washing
ton was o. the side OF Fairfax, and M. Viii
litm Payne headed the friends OF Elgey.-
In The course of the contest Washington
grew very warm, ('or his passions naturally
were very powerful, though wise regard
TO duty E. honur and happiness soon R."
duced them to proper com mnand,) and unluck
iJy said something to Mr.. Payne. who,
though but cup in size, was lion in heart
elevated his shiIlaah, and, at blow, ex'en.
ded our hero on the ground. News was
soon carried 10 the regiment that their col
onel was murdered by a mob On the pas.
sioas Of the soldiers, who doated upon their
commander, such report fell at once like
fl. .sh OF Lightning on magazine OF pow
der. In a moment the whole regiment was
under arms and in rapid motion towards the
town, burning for vengeance. During this
time Washington had been literally piled
with cold water, acids and volaties ; and
happily for Mr.. Payne and his party, was so
far recovered as to 60 out and meet his en-
rsued soldiers, who crowded round him with
faces of honest joy TO see him alive again
After thanking them for such on evidence
| of their attachment to him, he assured them
that he was not hurt in the least, and begged
them, by their love OF him and OF their duty
to return peacaoly to their barracks. Al
for himself, he went tu his room, generously
chastising his passion, which had just struck
but spark, that would like 20 have thrown
the whole town in fame and feeling him
self the aggressor Of Mr. Payne, he resolve
to make him the honorable reparation OF ask
ing his pardon. No sooner had he madethi
heroic resolution than, recovering that dell
cious gayety which ever accompanies goo
purposesin a virtuous mind, he went to bal
that night, und behaved as pleasantly d
though rothing had happened. Early ne1
morning he wrote polite note OF invitatio
to Mr.. Payne, to meet him at the inn. Payn
took it for a challenge, and repaired to tn
inn in full exp ;ctation of smelling eunPow
der. But what was bis surprises ON enteI
ing the cha mber, to see, in lieu Of braC
0, pistols, a decanter of wine and pair {
glasses on the table. Washington rose
meet him, aud Offering his hand, with
smile began MIR. Payne, to err is som'
times nature tu rectiiy error is always g''
. ~. | believe | was wrong in the afflir {
3 yesterday. You have had, | think, som
sat isfaction, and if you deem that suticie'
there is my hand let US be friends" A
act OF such sublime virtue produced its prof.
or effect upon the mind Of Mr.. Payne, VIII
from that moment, became the most enth
: 81 astic sdmirer and friend Of Washington
i and for his sake, ready at any time to chare
D up to battery Of two,and forty pounder
"WouId our YOUTH" rsys the narrator. "|
persuaded to act in a style so correct q
y heoric. our papers would no longer sho
us with accounts Of elegant young men m,
b dering each other on false principals Of no
u or-by ono desperate deed depriving theI
selves OF all present pleasures, and of
q future hopes"
[RscOliections Of the American Rsvolutit