The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-31
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Washlngto 5 Vision.
lY " EsLEY BRADsaAT

The last time ever saw Anthony Sherman
was on the 4th Of July, 1859, in Independ-
ence Square. He was then niuety-one, and
becoming very feeble ); but though so old, his
dining eyes rckindlcd as he looked at indie
pendence Hall, which he said, he had come
to gaze upon once more before he was gath
cred home
What time is it?' said he, raising his
trembling eyes to the clock in the steepe, and
endeavoring to shade the former with shak-
ing hand what time is it?' | can't see
so well now as | used to-
Hall past three
Come, then, he continued let US 90 in
to tnc Hall; | want TO tell you an incident
of Washipgtons lite-ono which no one
alive knows Of except myself, and if you
live, you will, before long, see it verified -
Mark Eie, am not superstitious, but you
viii see it verified.
Reaching the visitors ROOM in which the
sacred relics OF cur early days are preserved,
we sat down upon one Of the old fashioned
OGDEN benches, and my venerable friend re.
lated to me the following singular narrative,
which from the popularity Of our national
affairs at the present time, | have been iu-
duced to give to the world. l give it as
nearly as possible in his own words:
When the bold action of our Congress in
asserting the independence Of the colonies,
became known in the world, we were laughed
and scotfed at as silly, presumptuous rebels,
whom British grenadicrs would soon tame
into submission but, undauntedly. we pre-
pared TO make good what we had said. The
keen encounter came, and the world knows
the result. It is easy and pleasant for those
Of the present generation to talk and write
Of the days OF Seventy-six, but they little
know-neithcr can they lmaglne-the trials
and sufferngs Of those fearful days. And
there is one thing that much fear, and that
is, that the American people do not properly
appreciate the blessings of freedom. Party
spirit is yearly becoming stronger and
stronger and unless it is checked, will, at no
distant day, undermine and tumble into ruins
the noble strunture of the Republic. But
let me hasten to my narrative.
From the opening OF the Revolution we
experienced all phases of fortune-now good
and now i'll, at one time victorious, and at
another conquered The darkest period VIC
had, however, was think, when Washing
ton, after several reverses, retreated to Val.
ley Forge, where he resolved to pass tle win
ter of II. All have often seen the tears
coursing down our dear own commanders
cheeks as he would converse with u conGden-
tial officer about the condition Of our poor
soldiers. You have doubtless heard the sto-
ry Of Washington going to the thickct to
pray. Well, it is not only true but he used
often to pray in secret for aid and comfort
from that God the interposition Of whose iv-
ine providence alone brought Us safely
through those dark days Of tribulation.
One day, | remember it weIl-the chilly
wind whistled and howled through the leaf
les trees, though the sky was cloudless and
the sun shining brighty-he remained in his
quarters nearly the whole Of the afternoon
alone. When he came out, l noticed that
his face was shade paler than usual, and
that there seemed to be something on his
mind of more than usual Importance. Re-
turning Just after dark, he dispatched an Or
derly to the quarters Of the officer L mention
ed, who was presently in attendance, Alter
preliminary conversation, which lasted some
half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his
companion with that strange loo. of dig
ntv which he alone could command, said to
the latter:
L DO not know whether it was owing tc
the anxiety Of my mind, or what, but this
afternoon, as was sitting at this very table
enea ced in preparing q dispatch something
in The apartment seemed to disturb me
Looking up, bcheld, standing exactly oppo'
site me- "a singular beautiful female. 50 as
tonished was for had given strict orders
not to be disturbed-that 1t was some mo-
mcns before l found language to inquire the
cause of her presence. A second third, and
even fourth time did L repeat the question,
bnt received no answer from my mysterious
visitor other than slight raising Of her eyes.
Rv this time felt strange sensation spread
through me. would have risen, but the
riveted gaze Of the being before me rendered
yoition impossible, | essayed once mere to
address her, but my tongue had become par
allied. A new influence, mysterious, potent
irresistible took possession of me. All l
could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at
NV unknown visitant. Gradually, the sur
roSnndipg S atmosphere seemed as though be-
coming filed with sensations and grew lumln'
Gus. Everything about me seemed to rarity
o"0' -,o.;o,s ,;si.or herself becoming more