The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-06-19
g Thrilliua gkettll.
WASHINGTON'S VISION.
BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.


Sherman was on the 4th Of July, 1859,
in Independence Square. He was
then ninety one, and becoming very
feeble but though so old, his dimming
ewes rekindled as he looked at indie
pendence Hall, which, he said, he had
come to gaze upon once more before
he was gathered home.
"What time is it 2" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple, and endeayoring to shade the
former with o shaking hand-"what
time is it i? can't see so we'll now as
I used to-"
"Half past three.
Come, then. he continued, 'let us
go into the Hall; | 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, be-
fore long, see it verified. Hank me, |
am not sdpersti.ious, but you will see
it verified"
Reaching the visitors room, in which
the sacred relics Of our early days are
preserved, we sat down upon one Of
the old fashion wooden benches, and
nv venerable friend related to me the
following singular narrative, which,
from the popularity of our national
affairs at the present time, | have been
induced to give to the world give
it, as nearly as possible, in his own
words -
When the bold action Of our Con-
gross, ia asserting the independence Of
the colonies, became known in the
world, we were laughed and scofled a
as silly, presumptuous rebels, whom
British grenadiers would soon tame
into submission 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 imagine-tLe
trials and suferings of those fearful
days. And there is one thing that
much fear, and that is, that the Ameri-
can 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 III
to ruins the noble structure of the Re-
public. But let me hasten to my mar
Tative.
From the opening Of the Reyoln-
ton, we experienced oil the phases o
fortune-now good and now i'll, at one
time victorious, and at another con
quered. The darkest period we had
however, was, | think when Washing
ton, after several reVerses, retreated t.
Valley Forge, where he resolved Il
pass the winter of III. All ] hav,
often seen the tears coursing down on
dear old commander care-worn cheek
as he woul@be conversing with con
fidential officer about the condition G
his 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 t.
pray in secret for aid and comfort from
that God the interposition of who's
divine providence alone brought u
through those dark days of tribulation
Zone day, I remember it well, tn
chilly wind whistled and howlet
through the leafess trees, though tn
sky was cloudless and the sun Shinin,
brightly--he remained in his quarter
nearly the whole of the afternoon alone
When be came out, I noticed that hi
face was shade paler than usual, ant
that there seemed to be something Oh
his mind Of more than ordinary i'm
portance Returning just after dusk
be dispatched an orderly to the quar-
ters of the officer | mentioned, wh'
was presently in attendance. After
preliminary conversation, which lasted
some half an hour, Washington, gaz-
ing upon his companion with tha
strange look of dignity which be alone
could command, said to the latter
81 do not know whether it was
owing to the anxiety of my mind, OIL
what, but this afternoon as was sit.