The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-08-22
Washington's Dream.
BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.


The last time I ever saw Anthony
Sherman was on the Fourth of July,
1000, in Independence Square. He was
then ninety nine, and became very fee
Bile; bat though SO old. bis dim ming eyes
rekindled as he looked at Iudepende ence
Hail. which be said he had come to gaze
upon once more before he was gathered
home
What time is itl' said be, raising bis
trembling eyes to the clock in the steeple,
and endesvoring to shade the former with
shaking hand, what time is i'll
can't see so we'll now as | used to-
Half past three
Come then he continued, 'let as 90 10
the Hail. want to tell you an incident
of Washington's life, one which no one a.
live knows except myself; and if you live,
you will before long see it verified
Mark, | am not superssitious, 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 fashioned wooden benches, and my
venerable companion related to me tbe
following singular narrative, which from
the popularity of our ustioDal affairs at
the present time, have been induced to
give the world. give it as near as pos
sibIe in his own words:
when the bold action of our Congress,
asserting the independence of the colo
Dies, became known in the old world, we
we're laughed and scofed at, as silly, pre-
sumptous rebels, whom British Grena-
diers would very soon tame into submis-
sion; but uDdauntedly We prepared to
make good what he 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 '76, but they little
know, neither can they i'm agine. the trials
and suferings of those fearful days
And there is one thing | much fear, and
that is, the American people do not prop
erly appreciate the boon of freedom
Party spirit yearly becoming stronger
and stronger, aud without it is checked, g,
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 i'll, one time victorious. and
another conquered. The darkest period
We had, however, was | think, when
ashington after several regcrses re-
treated to Valley Forge, where he re-
solved to pass the winter Of II. Ah! |
baye>often seen the tears couruing down
our old commanders care worn cheeks,
as be would be conyersing With conf
Dental officer about the condition of his
poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard
the story of Washington going to the
thicket to pray; we'll, it is not only true,
but be used often. to pray in secret for
aid and comfort from that God. the in
terposition of whose divine providence a.
lone brought US safely through those dark
days Of tribulation.
'Oue day, | member it well-the
chilly winds whistled through the leadess
trees, though the sky was cloudless aud
the sun shining brightly-he remained
in his quarters nearl y all the afternoon
alone. When be came out noticed that
his face was shade paler than usual,
ond that there seemed to be something
upon his mind of more than ordinary i'm
portance. Returning just after dusk, be
dispatched an orderly to the quarters of
the officer mentioned, who was presently
in attendance. After apreliminary conVer-
saton, which. lasted some half an hour,
Washington, gazing upon his companion
with tha strange look of dignity, which
he alone could command, said to the lat
ter:
Il do not know whether it is owing to
the anxiety Of my mind, or what, but
this afternoon, as [ was sitting at this ve-
ry table engaged 10 preparing dispatch,
something in the apartment seemed to
disturb me. Looking up, | beheld /,
standing exactly opposite to me, singu.
larly beautiful female. So astonished
was I, for | had given strict orders not
to be disturbed, that it was some mo-
ments before [ found language to inquire
the cause OF her presence. A second, a
third, and even fourth time did | re-
peat the questions, but received no an
swer from my mysterious visitor, except
slight raising of the eyes. BY this time
felt strange sensations spreading through
out me. | would have risen. bat the riv.
eted gaze of the being before me render
ed voltion impossible. | esssyed once
more to address her. but my tongue had
become poweress. Even thought itself
presently became paralysed. ~ pew in
fuence. myst' rious, potent, irresistible
took possession of me. All | could do
was gaze, gaze steadily, vacantly, at my
unknown vstaut. Gradually the sur
rounding atmosphere seemed as though
becoming filed with sensations, and gre ="
luminous. Everything about me ap'
peared to ralify the mysterious visitor
herself becoming more airy and yet more
di.tinct to my sight than before. | now
began to feel as one dying, or rather to
experience the sensations which | have