Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-04-03
"a %
eSe}e<f Aerefare.
EPISODE IN
The Youth of General Washington.

more than fifteen years of age, but his tall
and manly frame his expressive countenance,
lofty brow ana almost puritan simplicity of
aspect, indicated u character far in advance of
his years His compani0n, VINO appeared to
have numbered six or seven years more than
himself wore, with a certain easy grace, the
uniform Of an English majr 1t. was easy
to recognize in him one of hose Young no
blemen Of the eighteenth cen 5ry, fitted alike
to shine in saloon, or to via laurcls upon
the battle field
The latter was, in fact, fhe representative
OF one Of the nohlest families of Great Brit
ain. The 70: mer was the son of small
landed proprietor in the State of Virginia,
which was then, in common with the other
States Of the Union, under the dominion of
the English crown.
Why should you hesitate? asked the ell
der Of the two, addressing himself in an ami
mated tone to bis young companion; your
family is Of English origin, as are all ofthose
which till superior station in our colonies.
Yes, but for more than two centuries my
an ;es 0 lave lived and died in this country,
and we have become thorough Americans
While subjects of Great Britain, you must
sill be English. You surely cannot dream
of throwing yourself into the hands of that
foolish faction which dreams of an indepen-
dence that must ever be impossible
impossible! The future is long, and
America is great
But she can yet be civilized; range your
self on the side of civilization You know
well that the mother country opens wide her
arms to welcome those among her coonists
who offer her their services. The sea is the
element for you Lord Rodney is my friend,
and he will gladly do all he can to serve you;
and before many years are over, you will re-
visit your native shores as an Admiral Come
now, you must go home and tellyour mother
that you have made your decision, and to-
morrow.you will embark with me for Eng
land
Farewell, replied the young colonist; to-
morrow shall meet you on board your ship,
either to accomt any you to England, or else
to bid you adieu.'
You will accompany me, | am sure
Farewell TIL Tomorrow
The Englishman, with firm STEP and
disengaged air, took the path which led to
| the shore.
The American with thoughtful counten-
e fssctd tns and ctgsS
dwelling in which he and his mother dwelt
together, he paused for a moment at the
threshold; then summoning all his courage,
| he turned the handle of the door and en-
! tered
The young American lady (or she was
still young) was seated alone and clad in the
deepest mourning Her countenance was
calm, but sad; Bible lay open on the table
before her, and by its side lay some scattered
papers and miniature portrait
The yong man recognized the portrait of
nis father; he stood still for moment, pale
and silent and then, throwing his arms
around his mothers neck, while the tea,s
started to his eyes, he exclaimed
This is the anniversary Of the day
Yes, George, it was this day, five years
ago. that your father died in my arms
When he ielt his end approaching, he told
the to call you TO his bedside, and when he
) had blessed us both, he said to me-l leave
you cAiId-make him man have jus
, been reading his instructions over again. con
tinued she, and the views he expressed with
; regard to you, and have been asking my
} self whether we have each fulfilled our duties
as he would have wished
! oh, my mother, y0u, at all events hay
: fulfilled your duties nobly and devotedly.-
C As to myself, [ long to choose some caree
) which may enable me to show myself wor
3 thy of such father. If this were not an in
Z OppCFCunG moment, i HOulu HO" COllSul y U
! on the subject of my choice
e There could not be a more fitting momen
S nv SON, in which to discuss the natter
5 Sit down and let us talk it over. Tn
It spirit Of your father, which doubt not watcf
# es over us from above, will help to point ou
l to US the path which you should tread her
; below.
: George seated himself by his mothers sid,
# HOY hn afns
l. sions which were open to the youth of tt
If American continent, and after some hesiti
2 ton, the young man expressed his desire
g enter the English navy.
i At these words his mother started an
colored deeply and, as if By an nvoluntar
movement covered her husbands portra
which still lay Oh the table. She then ros
from her seat, and said il grave, but earne
tone
S The English navy! Have you rehecte
s. well, George upon this matter?
4 have quite decided on it. my dear m IT.
is er, if can obtain your consent
If 1T is not my mind you neel, it is that
l. your father, my Son. Let US go together
his grave.
d, She then cast hasty glance over the p
or pcrs which lay upon the table, selected tv
be among their number, which she placed in b
BOSOM and locked up the rest in casket t
&C. gether with the portrait.
es TIE widowed mother and her son tn
n. proceeded together in silence to the gray
ne they there knelt side by sile and prayed
ne The widow was the first to rise; she DIRE
-ir the papers from her bosom. and handed o
Of the two 10 the young man, saying, as S
To- did So
= Read this, George, and remember it is yo
an father who speaks
The Taper contained series of reflection
or full of grandeur and yet of simplicity, on t
ks origin, the history, and the destinies
an America. They closed with these words
America must become new world in t
is full acceptation of the wcrd; and, to eff
is this, she must detach herself from the
ar World Independent and Republic
her future destinies lie in these two wor
a which commend to my sons meditation
1t is from new nation alone that or
ad- republic can be formed
end These words seemed to quicken thoug
Iou and feelings into life, which had hithertol
ose dormant in the young mans breast.
be- My father was right he exclaimed. "
patriotic pride.
ent His mother smiled in the midst of
grief, and faint glow tinged her pale ch,