Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-29

been compelled to 60 with father through all
his campaigns to take charge Of; for the fiery
and bfoad old fellow would never let anybod,
but his master my father, and Israel, mount
or come near him, though he had now got 30
tanned down by old age that he would behave
quite deccntly with me or anybody was
in the house with mother, who happened to
be unusually downcast that day, and was
brooding over odr family cmbarrassmcnts ind
had just been saying:
mo. no. Seth, can hSssf pay, nor, with
our means, hardly begin to pay this dreadful
hioftgsge. And as l hear it is about to be
foretlussd, We must now soon be driven from
our pleasant home where we have lived so
long, and, Until your fathers death, so hap
PLY. My husband tie Colonel. fought as
well as the bravcst of them, nhd did ail he
could, and more than his part, for the good
cause, they are all Wiling to allow; and |
know very well that he wore himself out in
the service, and was thus brought to pre-
mature grave. And yet here is his family
almost on the verge of beggary."
Tears here started in mothers eyes, which
so touched me that ! rose and went and
looked out of the window when, to my sur
prise, saw entering the yard two we'll
mounted stranger gchticitcn, whom, from
something about their general appearance.
took to be old military officers of pretty high
rank--or at least, one Of them, who was large
and had very commanding look Having
significantly beckoned mother to my side, she
eagerly gnzed out at the new corners moment
in silence, when she suddenly gave start,
and. with an excited air exclaimed:
Seth just take notice of that noble look
one. Why, he looks ever SO ltiuch like the
picture | onse saw of-But no; that surely
can't be ~
4" Well, at any rate. mother, he must be
man of some consequence; for. see. brother
Israel WHO acts if he knew Elm; is swinging
his hat from his head clear away at arms
length, and bowing lower than he would to
king! Israel is quite too stiff necked to do
that for atty common man. but they are be-
ginning to talk, will just open the door here
little mite, and perhaps we can hear what
they ire saying
did SO, and the first words distinguished
were those of the parsonage who had SO at
tracicd our attention, shd 8EdI addressing my
brother, and pointing to the horse, by the side
Vt which he was standing, a'keJ,
'l Is not that the horse Colonel W arncr used
to ride in the WARP
" is. your Excellcncyi" replied israel,
again bowing low and very respectfully.
"Ah, yes; tiidtight 20, resumed the for
mer, turning to his companion, or a.tuch, and
pointing to the old rai etGea With that inter-
est with shich lic was khowf ever to regard
fine horses. II thought it could be no other.
Just glance at his leading points-shapely
head, arched neck, deep chest, launches, and
limbs. | have seen Colonel Warner riding
him on parade, when / ii5ied him as rare
animal, ava thought that the horse and rider.
taken together-for War WAS model of a
figure, and several inches taller than am
made military appearance second to none in
the Continental army. But my business is
with your mother my young friend. and will
now, if you will take charge Of my l5rse few
minutes s5 in ut once to see her."
Hesfihg Ibis announcement mother and
hastily retrcatcd to our fofmcr seats, and, with
the curiosity and excitement which with what
we had witnessed naturally raised in us, s-
lently awaited tic entry Of skc expected vis-
tors We had been thus seated but two or
three minutes before he eans in, and, bowing
graciously to my mother, Said:
II fake this to be Mistress Warner; the
wi4o$ o. my much esteemed friend, the late
Colonel Warner, Of the Continental army 2"
cit is, SIR" she replied, tremulously.
"Wil you permit me to introduce myself
to you, triSt4tl? 2" he resumed, with that win
ming sort of dignity had noticed in him from
the first; II am General Washington. And
II ter arrived in this section of the country.
a few days ago, made-and hope you will
pardon me the liberty took in your private
afFairs--I made some enquiries about you and
the situation oe your family; whcn learning
to my deep regret, that your late husband, in
consequence of his long continued absence
from his home and business, while in the SER
vice of his country. and his subsequent shat
tered health, resulting from the hardships OF
sar, hst you laboring under pecuniary EN-.
barassments, was prompted to- come and
see you"
"I had little dreamed of such an honor and
such Kindness Gcnerafjp she RESPONDED
nearly ovcrpowered by her emotions and the
imposing presence of her uagust visitor.
There is mortgage. hs' rcjoined, with
out responding in any way to her last t.iasrks
"a rather heavy mortgage on your honttstead I
II snr sorry" sts replied sadly, :" very
sorry sc be Completed to say there is !, Il niach
heavier one than I can ever pay"
80 ! had ascertained he proceeded '' aid
I havs aiso,.. sefcte coming htre. keeY as The
paias Of asser;aining the exact dinount now
Idue,, sat required to cancel this. 10 you,
Edoubthss, ruinous incumbraBte, and I BRO
pose How to leave with yot'the snhl of nit ieS
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