The weekly Butte record., 1861-07-27
W a shin gton's Vision.
By WESLEY BRADSHAW.

ing very feeble; but though so old, his dim
ming eyes rekindled as he looked at Indepen-
dence Hall, which, he said, be had come to
gaze upon once more before he was gathered
home
What time is it?" said he, raising his
trembling eyes to the clock in the steeple, and
endeavoriDg to shade the former with a shak-
ing hand" what time is it? can't see so
well now as l used to-"
Halfpast three"
Come, then" he continued, g let us 90 in
to the Rall | want TO tell you an incident of
Washington's life-one which no one alive
knows of except myself, and if you live, you
will, before long, see it verified. Mark me, 1
am not superstitious, but you Will see it veri-
fed"
Reaching the 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 friend rela-
ted to me the following singular narrative,
which, from the popularity of our national
affairs at the present time, I have been indu.
ced to give to the world / give it, as nearly
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 world we were laughed
and scoffed at as silly, presumptuous rebels,
whom British grenaders would soon tame into
submission but, undauntedy, we prepared to
make good what we had said The keen en-
counter 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-Slx, but they little kDow-neither can
they imagne-the trials and sufferings of those
fearful days. And there is one thing that I
much fear, and that is, that the American
people do not properly appreciate the boon 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 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 ill, at one time victorious, and at an
other conquered. The darkest period we had
however, was l think, when Washington, after
several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge
where he resolved to pass the winter of IL
All | have often seen the tears coursing
down our dear old commanders care-worn
cheeks as he would be conversng with con-
hdential officer about the condition Of his poor
soldiers. You have doubtless 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 for aid and comfort from that
God the interposition of whose divine provi-
dence alone brought us safely through those
dark days of tribulation.
"One day, l remember it well-the chilly
wind whistled and howled through the leahess
trees, though the sky was cloudless and the
sun shining brightly-he remained in bis quar-.
tiers nearly the whole of the afternoon, alone.
When he came out, noticed that his face was
a shade paler than usual, and that there SEEM
ed to be something on his mind of more than
ordinary Importance. Returning Just after
dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters
of the officer l mentioned, who was presently
in attendance. After preliminary conversa-
ton, which lasted some half an hour, Wash
ington, gazing upon bis companion with that
strange look of dignity which he alone could
command, said to the latter
al do not know whether it was owing to
the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this af-
ternoon, as | was sitting at this very table, en-
gagged in preparing a Dispatch something in
the apartment seemed to disturb me- Looking
up, beheld, standing exactly opposite me,
singularly beautiful female So astonished
was for l had given strict orders not to be
dsturbed-that it was some moments before |
found language to inquire the cause of her
presence. A second third, and even a fourth
time did | repeat the question, but received no
answer from my mysterious visitor other than
q slight raising Of her eyes. By this time
felt strange sensation spreading through me.
l would have risen, but the riveted gaze of
the being before me rendered volition impossi.
BILE. l essayed once more to address her. but
my tongue had become paralyzed A new in
fuence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took
possession of me- All / could do was to gaze
steadily, yaeantly, at my unknown visitant.-
Gradually, the surrounding atmosphere seemed
as though becoming filled with sensations and
grew luminous. Everything about me seemed
to rarity, the mysterious visitor herself becom-
ing more airy, and yet even more distinct to
my sight than before. | now began to feel as
one dying, or rather to experience the sensa-
tions which have sometimes imagined accom-
pany dissolution. I did not think did not
reason, did not move all we're alike impossi-
bic. I was only conscious of gazing, fxedly,
vaeantly, at my companion.
"' Presently heard voice, saying, /" Son
of the Republic, look and learn ~ while, at
the same time, my visitor extended her arm
and fore6nger eastwardly. I now beheld
heavy white vapor at some distance, rising
fold upon fold This gradually dissipated, and
| looked upon strange scene. Before me Law