Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-03-15
For the Spectator.
Gen Washinston's Little Pet.

During General Wa>hington's second Presi-
dental term, and whilst Congress held its ses-
sions in PhiladeI pi.ia, the Father of his coun-
Try frequently travelled by private conveyance
from Mount Vernon 10 the then seat of Gov
erutnent-the city of Brotherly Love. The
usual route between those points led by way of
Wrghtsvie, situated on the West bank of the
SusquehanDa RIVER, wh ch classic stream was
crossed at that point. in that early day, by a
rude ferry boat 1t SO fell out hat the Gener-
al was, on more than one occa-ion, detained at
this crossing by high water and drifting Ice.
which made the passage very dangerous, and
this detention extended, IN some Instances, to
two er three days The President was conse-
quently constrained to while away the time as
best he could on the dull shores of this turbu-
lieut. stream, until the ierryman pronounced he
passage >aie. Wrghtsville (now consdera-
bic town. was at that day composed of only a
single dwelling house, which bore the title of a
tavern. 1t was the rendezvous of the lofty and
the iowly- the quarters of he loved soldier
and 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 10 this
double capacity of 'Bonlface and "Charon'
performed the delicate and responsible duiles
pertaining to the respective offices very sails
fac oriIy to the general public. Mine host
of the Wright>vllle Iun relulced in the pater-
nifty of sprghtly fair haired, bright-eyed lit
tie boy of three or four summers, who, unawed
by the presence of his father iIlustrious guest,
by bis innocent prattle made himself very pop
s,lar with the General. They became fast
friend, IN ! oft would Washingt m take the lit
tie cuib ~, AIDED lad nn hi, knee, lay his hand
on his heat, aad With iasherly tenderness, en-
courage the child Ia the be.lef that the rela-
,ious established between them were mutual,
and altogether satisfactory.
Three quarters OF a century have passed a.
way The fcrryman and his guest longer
encounter the blIiows OF the surging Susqae-
hanna they have alike been eried over the
cold stream of death. aud alike sleep that sleep
which knows no waklng But that little boy
he sunpy-faced pet upon the knee of Wash
inpton- he lives STILL
Ga the streets of Waynesboro, Augusta
County, Virginia, a venerable form may often
be seeu-bowed down under the weight of ac-
cumutated years-with locks Of silver gray
wi h trembling step end eye dimm d t,y the
finger OF time, unvrring testimony, that the
battle of lite has been sharp and hUtly contes-
Ted. and that he now ngers on the shore o
time, awaiting the call of the boatman- wht
will come, as come he viii, 10 all.
The little chlld of Wnghtsvllle In 1894, i
the old patriarch Of Waynesbor, IN 1S7U-the
progeniior If a large family of children ano
srand children now settled In various s ates o.
the Union, aud for success in life few parent.
can rejoice over equal good fortune, aud few
fathers have more reason to be proud OF thei
sous. This relic of the olden time is wei
known in the county of Augusta, where he ha
spent near 60 years of his life, and from hi
connection with the magisteiai Office in tn,
county (to which he was elected by the people
and, also, from the per>stency with which h
maintained his position when he believed him
self TO be right he bears he universal soujsique
of Squire joseph Morrison. . *x