Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-04-17
WAsHINGT0N'S VISION,
BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.
From Tho American Monthlyl

The last time | ever saw Anthony Sher- |
man was on the Fourth of July, 1881, IN
Independence Square. He was then nine
ty-nine and becoming very feeble; but
though so old, his dimming eyes rekinN
died as he looked ut Independence Hall,
which he said he had came to gaze upon
once more before he was gathered home.
what time is itP said he, raising his
trembling eyes to the clock in the steeple,
and eudeavoring to shade the former with
a shaking hand, what time is it2 can't
see so well nov as | used to-
'iIalf-past three
Gene then he continued, 4ct us so
into the Halt want to tell yCu an Incl
dent of Washington's lfe, one which no
one alive knows except myself; and il
you live you will before long see it veri-
fed. Mark am not StPer;ttio'S, J@ you
,ciH sec il verifed.'
Reaching tho visitors room, in
which the sacred relics Of our early days
are preserved we sat down upon one of
the old fashioned wooden benches, and
my venerable companion related to me
the following singular narrative, which,
from the popularity Of our national af-
fairs AT the present time, have been in
duced to give to the world. give it, as
near as possible in his own words
When the bold action of our Congress,
in asserting the Independence of the col.
ONES, became known in the Old world,
we were laughed and scofed al as silly,
prasumptuous rebels, whom British gren-
adiers would very soon tame into submls-
sion; but undauntedly we prepared to
make good what we had said. The keen
encounter came, and the world knows
the result. 1t is easy and pleasant for
those of the present generation TO talk
and write of the days of Seventy Six. but
they little know, neither can they mag
inc, the trials and sutcrings Of those tearN
flu! days And there is one thing much
fear, and that is, the American people do
not properly appreciate the boon OF free
dom. Party spirit is yearly becoming
stronger and stronger, and without 1T IS
checked, will at no distant day, under
miHe and tumble into ruins the noble
structure 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, one time victories, and
another conquered. The darkest period
we had, however, was, | think, when
Washin gton, after several revorscs, ,retreat-
ed to Valley Forge whore he resolved to
PASS the winter of II. All have often
seen the tears coursing down our old com
mander's care worn cheeks, as he would
be conversing with confidential officer
about the condition Of his poor soldiers.
You have doubtless heard the story oil
Washington going to the thicket 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 dl-
vine providence alone brought us safely
through those dark days OF tribuIation.
One day, remember it we'll the ch!l>
ly winds vhistled through the leatless
trees, though the sky was cloudless and
the sun shining brightly-hc remained in
his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone.
When he came out | noticed that his face
was q shade paler than usual, and that
there seemed to be something upon his
mind of more than ordinary Importance.
Returning Just after dusk, he despatched
an orderly to the quarters OF the officer l
mentioned, who was presently IN attend
ance. After preliminary conversation,
which lasted some halfa an hour, Wishing
ton, gazing upon his companion with that
: strange look of dignity, which he alone
could command, said to thelatter:
Il do not know whether it is owing to
the anxiety of my mind, or what, but
this afternoon, as i was sitting at this very
table engaged in preparing dispatch
something in the apartment seemed tc
disturb me. Looking up, beheid, stand
ing exactly opposite to me, slngularly
beautiful female. So astonished was l,
for had given strict orders not to be dis
4 turbed that it was some moments before
I found language to inquire the cause OF hel
$ presence. A second, third, and even {
fourth time did | repeat the questions
D but received no answer from my myste
. rious visitor, except slight raising Of the
! eyes. BY this time | felt strange sensa'
tions spreading throughout me, | would
e have risen, but the riveted gaze OF the be.
ing before me rendered volition impossi'
l Bile. | cssayed once moro to address her
= out my tongue had become powerless
! Even thought itself presently became par
? alyzed. A new influence, mysterious, po
: tent, irresistible to possession ofme. 81
| could 90 was gaze, gaze steadily, vacant
" at my unknown vistant. Gradually
the surrounding atmosphere seemed a
O though becoming filled with sensations
r and grew luminous. Everything abou
!, me appeared to ratify, The mysterious Wis
0 itor herself becoming moro airy and ye
= moro distinct to my sight than before.
G now began to feel as one dying, or rathe
to experience the sensations which hav
sometimes imagined accompany dissolu
l ton. | did not think, | did not reason,
: did not move; all were alike impossible
# was only conscious of gazing, fxedly
= vacantly, at my companion.
''Presently heard a voice saying -
Son of the Republic, look and learn,
: while at the same moment my visitor ex
- terded her arm eastwardly. l now be
= held heavy white vapor at some dis
y ally dissipated. and l looked upon
o strange scene. Before mo lay spread on
Q in ono vast plain all the countries of th'
world, Europe, Asia, Africa and America
l.. Ettr nY,.