Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1869-10-21
[From Hearth and Iome.l
An Evening with the Past.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

7
| questioned our friend Mr.. GRAY
in regard to Washington,s dignity
of manner. "Was it'll asked, o
such a lofty and superhuman quail
ty as has been represented? Die
| it impose on small boys and foreigr
ambassadors alike ?"
"Why, as for that, Madam he
replied, II can safely say that ]
have seen nothing like it in these
later times. 1t has gone out Of
fashion. even with Presidents ~
Again Twas sket tical and irrev-
erent enough to ask: Glow much
of it was in the maa, George Wash
ington, and how much i'll the sta
ton and in the clothesP The cos
tune of gentlemen Of that day was,
You remember, elaborate, and what
we should call stiff A man inthe
Continental uniform of a Major
General, or in full-dress suit OF
black or purple, with rich lace ruf,
fes, with sword at his side, with
his bair tightly queued and thor
ioughly powdered, was somehow
compelled to be digniIicd, ,
perhaps so; still, WashiRgtoh
was impressive even for that time,
and its cust1mo, ! remember l&Rls
ing, when l8yas achild, with some
thing like &orror, a story Of a
yorng English1an of rank-a trav-
eller in this country, who laid wa
ger with an American officer that
he would dare to aecost Washing
ton with familiarity at one Of his
own receptions, Accordingly, at
the next leoee, he just walked bold
lyu up to the President, and laying
his hand on his shoulder, he says ::
How are you, General ? WHAT'S
new p
"They said Washington never ut
tered one word in reply, or even
made movement Of surprise; but
he turned slowly and loobed at the
offender, who afterward said, He
almost looked me through the
aoor:' then he crossed to the 9th
er side of room. Idon't think the
young man ever cared to repeat his
little experiment"
This aneclote has been told of
Gouverneur Morris, but Mr.. Gray
seemed quite positive that the rash
individual who thus playfully laid
his hand on the name of the Lion
of the Republic, was sort of rep
resentativc Of the British Lion--a
sprig of the nobility--one who had
looked on the face of great George
the Third, and perhaps knew by
sight that other George, most prof
ligate Of princes inmorals and prod
igal in waiscoats.
Gray continued: Common
Iy, General Washington walked ont
in the morning without any attend
ants. He used to 90 down High
street to Second, street, on whichhe
often stopped for few moments,at
his watch makers's, to compare his
lime with that in the shop. Some
lines, | believe he set his watch by
The clock in the old State House. !
lie walked down Second to Chest.
lnt, and up Chestnut to the corner
If Fifth, where he would stop for
/ half hour or so at the War Office
7rom theuce,he walked up to Sixth
street, and then home. He was so
'egular and punctual, that people
Snew Just when and where to meet
nm on his walks Every body !
,new him, and every body made |
way for him most respectfully--the
mem unless Qnakers, removing |
heir hats, and the woman bowing /
" conrtesving. Washington al !
vays acknowledged such marks Of
aspect, even from the poorest and |
in his own grand way
Mr.. Gray spoke highly OF limo
hy Pickering, Washington's Secre
ary of War,asaying she was an EN-
nenlly honest man. and a prodi-
rious worker" He illustrated this
tireless industry and
igid system by a single account
.iven him bya family friend or rel
tive, named, | believe, White, who
or some years was employed in
he War OAlce,
"Mr. White" he said, "heard
hat Pickering wanted a clerk, and
% applied for the position, early
ne morning, with a letter Of rec
Mr.. Pickering said
tile, but gave him a paper to copy.
Ie was pleased with Whites hand
,riting and the dispatch he used,
nd set him to work at once. They
,rote there in almost total silence
Il noon. Then Mr., Pickering
aid: Now, Mr.. White, we take an
our for dinner. Be here prompt