Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-27
sTAUNToN, VA, TUESDAY, AUGUST a. 1867.

| it, her heart passed out of her keeping, and
was given to him. She loved him with all the
honesty and devotion of her pure heart; and
she would have thought it happiness to 20
out with him into the back woods and share his
fatigues and troubles no matter how much sor-
row they might bring to her.
Nor did she love in vain. The young man,
whose knowledge Of the world was afterwards
so great, had not then learned to consider as
binding the distinctions which society drew be-
tween his position and that Of the lady. He
knew that in all that makes man, in integrity
| and honesty of purpose, he was equal to any
one. He believed that except in wealth he
stood upon perfect equality with Mary c.,
and he loved her honestly and manfully, and no
sooner had he satisfied himself upon the state
Of his own feelings than he confessed his devo-
ton, simply and truthfully, and received from
the lady lips the assurance that she loved him
very dearly.
Scorning to occupy doubtful position, or to
cause the lady to conceal aught from her pa
asked asked Mr. for f his fahny daughter anq hanl hand
Very angry grew the planter as he listened to
the audacious proposal. He stormed and swore
furiously, and denounced the young man as an
ungrateful and insoent upstart
My daughter has always been accustomed
to riding IN her own carriage" he said. "Who
are you, slrY
"a gentleman, sir" replied the young man,
quietly; and he left the house.
The lovers were parted. The lady married
soon after wealthy planter, and the young
man went out again into the world to battle
with his heart and conquer his unhappy passion
lie subdued it; but, although he afterwards
married woman whom he loved honestly and
truthfuly, and who was worthy of his love, he
was never wholly dead to his first love.
The time passed on, and the young man be-
gan to reap the reward of his labors. He had
never been to the house Of Mr. G. since his
cruel repulse by the planter; but the latter
familiar in every Virginia household Higher
and higher he rose every year, until he gained
position from which he could look down upon
the proud planter. Wealth came to him, too.
When the great struggle for independence
dawned, he was in his prime, happy husband,
and one of the most distinguished men in
America. The struggle went on, and soon the
s'poor surveyor" held the highest and proudest
position in the land
When the American army passed in triumph
through the streets of Williamsburg, the an
cient capital of Virginia, after the surrender of
CORVALLIS, the officer riding at the head of the
neighboring balconies, which was crowded with
ladies' Recognizing one of them he raised his
hat and bowed profoundly There was COM
motion in the balcony, and some one called for
water, saying Mrs. Lee had tainted. Turning
to young man who rode near him, the officer
said gravely, Henry, l fear your mother has
tainted You had better leave the column, and
go to her. -
The speaker was George Washington, once
the ''poor surveyor but then commander-in-
chief Of the armies Of the United States. The
young man was Colonel Henry Lee, the COM
njander of the famous Light Cavalry Legion,
the lady was his mother, and formerly Miss
C., the belle Of the Northern Neck"