The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-10-28
Anecdote Of Washington.

In 1874 no was stationed at Alexandria
with his regiment, the only one in the col
ony, Of which he was tho colonel. There
happened at that time to bo an election in
Alexandria for members of assembly, and
tho ballot ran high between Col. George
Fairfax aud Mr.. William Egoy. Washing
ton Sas on tho sido Of Fairfax, and Mr.. vii.
liam Payne headed tho friends Of Elgey.-
In tho course OF tho contest Washington
grew very warm, (for his passions naturally
were very powerful, though a wise regard
to duty. i. G. honor and happiness soon ro-
duced them to proper commaDd.) and un.
luckily said something to Mr.. Payne, who,
though but cub in size, was lion in heart,
elevated his shillalah. and, at q blow, ex.
tended our hero on tho ground. Nows was
soon carried 10 tho regiment that their Col
onel was murdered by mob On the pas.
sions OF the soldiers, who doated upon thcir
commander, such n report fell at once like
a fash Of lightning on q magazine of powder.
In a moment the whole regiment was under
arms and in rapid motion toward tho town.
burning for vengeance. During this time
Washington had been lberal!y piled with
cold water, ncids and volaties and happily
for Mr.. Payne and his party, was 10 far re-.
covered as 20 go out and meet his enrapec
soldiers, who crowded round him with faces
Of honest joy to SEQ him alive again. After
thanking them for such an evidence of their
attachment to him, he assured them that
he wac not hurt 10 the least, and begged
tbom, by their love of him and of their duty.
to return poacably to tboir barracks. As
for himself, no went to his room, generously
chastising his passion, which had Just struck
but spark, and that like to have thrown
the whole town in a flame and foolnp him
self the aggrcssor of Mr.. Payne, he resolved
to u'ake him the honorable roparation OF
asking his pardon. No sooner had he made
this heroic resolution than, recovering that
delicious gaycty which over accompanies
good purposes in q virtuous mind, he wcnt
to ball that highland behaved ns pleasant.
ly as though nothing had happened. Early
next morning he wrote a polite note of in
yitation to Mr. Payne, to meet him at tho
inn. Payne took it for a challenge, and re.
paired to tho inn in full expectation Of
smelling gunpowdcr. But what was his sur
prise, on entering the chamber, to see, in
lieu of q brace Of pistols, decantcr of wine
and q pair of glasses on the table Wash
ington rose to mect him, and offering h
hand, with a smile began =" MIR. PAYNE. t.
err is sometimes nature; to rectisy error i
always glory. believe ! was wrong in tn
affair OF yesterday. You have had, think
somo satisfaction, and if you doom that sui
Rcient thoro is my hand lot Us be friends
An act of such sublime virtue produced il
proper effect upon the mind of Mr.. Payn,
who from that moment, became the mos: on
thusiastic admirer and friend of Washington
and for his sake, ready at any time to charg
up to battery Of two.and forty pounderi
would our youth" says tho narrator, " b
{ persuaded to act 10 style SO correct ar
0 heroic, our papere would no longer sho'
o US with accounts Of elegant young men mt
doripg each othor on false principles
n honor-by ono desperate deed deprivi
70 themselves of all present pleasures. and
r all future hopes. RecoiiectiOns ef the I'm
- icdn Revolution.