Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-09-05
wALHINGToN's VISION.
By WESLEY BRADSHAW.

1859, in Independence Square. He
was then ninety-one, but though SO
old, his dimming eyes were kindled as
he looked at Independence Hall, which,
he said, be bad come to gaze on once
more before he was gathered home.
"What time is it?'' said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple, and endeavoring to shade the
former with a trembling hand-"what
time is it? 1 can't see so well now as
] used to-"
"HaIf-past three"
Z "Come then," he continued, ''let US
90 into the Hall; want to tell you an
incident of Washington's life-one
which no one alive knows except my
self, and if you live, you will, before
long, see it verified. Mark me, am
not superstitious, but you will see it
verified"
Reaching the visitors room, in which
the sacred relics of our early days are
preserved, we Sat down on one Of the
old fashioned wooden benches, and my
venerable friend related TO me the fol-
lowing singular narrative, which, from
the peculiarity of our national affairs
at the present time, l have been in
duced to give to the world. l give it
as nearly as possible in his own words:
"When the bold action Of Congress
in asserting the independence Of the
colonies became known to the world
we were laughed and scoffed at as silly,
presumptuous rebels, whom British
grenadiers would soon tame into sub
mission; but, undauntedly, we pre-
pared 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 gene
ration 10 talk and write Of the days OF
'76, but they little know, neither can
they imagine, the trials and sufferings
of those fearful days. And there is
one thing that much fear, and that is,
that the American people do not prop
erly 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 Revolu-
ton we experienced all phases Of for
tune-now good and now ill-at one
time victorious and at another con-
quered. The darkest period we had
however. was, l think. when Washing
ton. after several reverses, returned TO
Valley Forge, where he resolved to
pass the winter of TT. And have
often seen the tears coursing down our
dear old commanders care worn cheek
as he would be conversing with con-
idenlial 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 ;nterposition Of whose divine
Providence alone brought us through
those dark days Of tribulation.
Zone 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 his quarters nearly the
whole Of the afternoon. alone. When
he came out noticed that bis face was
shade paler than usual, and that there
seemed to be something on his mind oI
more than ordinary Importance. Re-
turning Just after dusk. he dispatched
an orderly to the quarters of the officer
mentioned, who was presently in at
tendance. After preliminary conver
sation, which lasted some half an hour
Washington, gazing upon his compan
ion with that strange look of dignity
which he alone could command, said Il
the latter:
81 do not know whether it was ow
ing to the anxiety of my mind, or what
but this afternoon / was sitting at thi
very table. engaged in preparing dis
patch, when something in the apart
ment seemed to disturb me. Lookin
up, beheld standing directly opposit
me a singularly beautiful female. S
astonished was for l had given striC
orders not to be disturbed-that it wa
some moments before l found languag
to inquire the cause of her presence
A second, third, and even fourth tim
did l repeat the question. but receive
no answer from my mysterious visito
other than slight raising OF the eye!
BY this time felt strange sensatio
spread over me. 1 would have riser
but the rivited gaze of the strange be
ing before me rendered violation i'm
possible. l essayed once more to at
dress her, but my tongue became pal
alyzed. A new influence, mysterious
potent, irresistible, took possession
me. All could do was to gaze steaG
lily, vacantly at my unknown visitan
Gradually, the surrounding atmosphel
seemed as though becoming filed wit
sensations, and grew luminous. Ever.
thing appeared to rarity, the mysterio'
visitor herself became more airy an
yet more distinct to my sight than b
fore. now began to feel as one dyini
or rather to experience the sensation
which l sometimes imagined accon
pany dissolution. / did not think,
did not reason, / did not move, &
were alike impossible. was on
conscious of gazing ixedly. vacant
at my companion.