The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-19
wASHINGTOV'S VISION.
BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.

The last time ever saw Anthony Sherman,
was Oil the Fourth Of July, 1859, in Indepen-
dence Square. He was then ninety mine, and
becoming very feeble; but though so old, his
dimming eyes rekigdled as he gaZed upon lnde-
pendence Hall, which he had come to gaze upon
once more before he was gathered home.
"What tune is -" said lie. raising his trem-
bling eyes to the clock in the steeple, and ell.
deavOring to shade the former with shaking
hand, "what time is it? l can't see SO we'll as
/ used to-"
I" Half past three?"
"Come, then," he continued, "let us go into
the Hail. want to tell you an incident of WASH
ingtons life, one which no one alive knows of
except my self; and, if you live, you will before
long see it verified. Mark the predietion-.you
wi1 see it certified"
Reaching the visitors room, in which the sa.
cred relics OF our early days are preserved, We
sat down upon one OF the Old.iashiOned wooden
benches. and my venerable companion related
to me the following singular narrative, which,
frem the pecularities of our national Affairs
at the present time, have been induced to give
to the world. give il as near as possible in his
own words:
"When the bold action Of our Congress, in
asserting the independence Of the colonies be-
came known in the Old Worl , We were laughed
ard scOiled at "a silly, presumptuous rebels.
whom British grenadiers would soon ine into
submission; but undauntedly We prepared TO
make good what We had said. The keen encoun-
ter came and the world knows the result Ii is
easy and pleasant for the present generation to
talk and write OF the days Of 70, but they li'tle
know, neither can they imagine, the trials and
sufferings Of those fearful days. And there is
one thing that ! much fear, and that is, the
/ Ann do IL
boon Of freedom. Party spirit is yearly becom-
ing stronger and stronger, and without it is
checked, will, at no distant day undermine and
tumble into ruins the noble structure of the Re-
public. But let me hasten to the narrative
"FrOm the opening OF the Revolution We ex-
perienced all phases Of fortune, row good and
now i'll, one time victorious, and another con
quered Tire d,rkest period we had, however,
was. think, when Washington, after several
revcrses, retrested to Valley Forge, where he
resolved to pass the winter Of IT. All, have
often seen the tears coursing down our dear old
commanders care worn cheeks, as he would be
cOnversng with a confidential officer about The
condition OF the poor soldiers. You have doubt
less heard the story of Washington going to the
thicket to pray. Well, it is not only true. but
he used often to pray in secret f aid and CON-
fort from God, the interposition of whose Divine
Providence alone brought US safely through those
dark days Of tribulation
"One day, l remember it well-the chilly
winds whisted through the leafless trees, tho
the sky was clOudless and the sun shining bright
ly-he remained in his quarters nearly all The
afternoon alone. When he came out noticed
that his face was a shade paer than usual, and
that there seemed to BE- something on his minG
OF more than ordinary importance. Returning
just after dusk. he despatched an orderly to I'll,
quarters of the officer | mention, who was pres
emily in attendance. After preliminary con
versation, which lasted some half an hour, " ash
ington gazing upon his companion with tina
strange look Of dignity. which he alone coulo
command, said to the latter:
81 do not know whether il is owing to tn,
anxiety OF my mind or what, but, this Afternoon
as vas sitting at this very table engaged il
preparing q dispatch, something in the apart
ment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, be
held standing opposite to me a singularly beauti
! fai female. So astOaished was |. tor had give,
strict orders not to be disturbed, that il wa
some moments before found language to in
quire the cause Of her presence A second.
thifd, ana even . fourth time did repeat III
> question, but received no answer from the mystt
rious visitor. except slight raising of the eye,
ny 'his time feit strange sensations spreadin
) through me. would have risen, but the rivete
gaze OF the being before NE rendered volirio
impossible. / essayed once more to aidr..
her, but nv tongue had become powerles
F; Even thought itself suddenly became paralyze,
4 new influence, my sterous, potent, irresistbl
took possession Of me. All could do was gaz