Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-03-29
Gem. WashingtOn's Little BET.

During General WashiDgton's second Presi-
Dental term, and whilst Congress held its
sessions in Philadelphia. the Father of his
country frequently travelled by private con-
veyance from Mount Vernon to the then seat
of fGovernment-the city of Brotherly Love.
The usual route between those points led by
way of Wrightsyille. situated on the West
bank of the Susquehanna River. which clas-
sic stream was crossed at that point, in that
early day, by rude ferry boat. 1t SO fell
out that the General was, on more than one
occasion, detained at this crossing by high
water and drifting ice, which made the pas
sage very dangerous, and this detention ex
tended, in some instances, to two or three
days The President was consequently con-
strained to while away the time as best he
could on the dull shores of this turbulent
stream, until the ferryman pronounced the
passage safe Wrightsville (nOw considera-
bic town. was at that day composed of only o
single dwelling house, which bore the title OF
a tavern. 1t was the rendezvous Of the. lofty
and the lowly-the quarters of the loved
soldier aud chief executive of the nation, as
we'll as of the humble country swain. The
keeper of the Hotel was the keeper of the
ferry, who in this double capacity of "Boni>
face and "Charon' performed the delicate aud
responsible duties pertaining to the respective
Offices very satisfactorily to the general public.
''Mine host" of the Wrightsville Inn rejeieS i;
in the paternity of sprightly fair barred,
b1ight-eyed little boy of three or four sum-
mers who, unawed by the presence of his
fathers illustrious guest, by his innocent
prattle made himself very popular with the
General. They became fast friends. and oft
would Washington take little curly beaded
lad on his knee, lay his hand on his head, and
with fatherly tenderness, encourage the child
in the belief that the relations established
between them were MUTUAL and altogether
satisfactory.
Three quarters ofa century, have -ipossed
away. The ferryman and his ..llest neIenger
encounter the pillows of s6fgipgf .Sgsqu-
hanna-they have alike been ferried over the
cold stream of fsdentlt and alike sleep that
sleep which knows no waking. utthat little
boy-the sunny >faced pet, upon the knee of
Washington-'he lives still.
On the -streetsIo Wayuesboro, Augusta
county, yirg6ia, venerable form may often
be seem bowed down under the weight of ac-
cumulated yeass--with locks of silver gray
with trembling step and eye din,med by the
finger Of time, unerring testimony, that the
battle of life has been sharp and hotly con
tested, and that he nos tliagers ON the shore
of time awaiting the cali of the boatmau-
who will,icou,e as come he will, to all
.The,littIe ehildof iYrishtsvillc in 1874, is
the old patrisrclio OF WayDesboro in ISTO-the
progenitor of large family of children aud
grandchildren now settled in various States
of the Union, aud for success in life few
parents rejoice over equal good fortune.
and few fathers have more reason to be proud
of their sons. This relic Of the olden time is
well known in the county of Augusta. where
he has speut near 60 years of his life, and
from his connection with the magisterial Office
in the county Ito which he was elected BY the
peope) and also. from the persistency with
which he maintained his position when he
believed himself to he right. he bears the
universal soubriqwet of Squire Joseph Nor
! risOn." Stomtom Spectator.