Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-01-11
WAsHIKGTON'S VISION.
BY WESLEY BRADSHAW.

ne ls11N AAAA4t 4 ENEA saw 4AAAAAA1AAg
Sherman, was on the Fourth Of July,
1859, in Independence Square. He
was then ninety-nine, and becoming
very feeble; but though so old, his
dimming eyes rekindled as he gaZed
up Independence Hall, which he had
come to gaze Oh once more before he
was gathered home.
What time is it ?" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple, and endeavoring to shade the
former with a shaking hand, what
time is it? I can't see so well as I
used tor
Half past three"
Come, then" he continued, ." let
us 90 into the Hall, I want to tell you
an incident OF WashingtOn's life
one which no one alive knows OF,
except myself; and IL you live, you
VIII DenOse long see it verified. Marx
The pTcdicfiOH-yOW tctH sec h UsTt-
red ~
Reaching the visitors room, in
which the sacred relies Of our early
days are preserved, we sat down upon
one of the old fashioned wooden
benches, and my venerable COM
panion related to me the following
singular narrative, which, from the
pecuIiarity OF our national affairs, /
have been induced to give to the
world. Igive it as near as possible in
his own words:
'cWhen the bold action Of our Con-
gress, in asserting the independence
OF the colonies, became known in the
old world, we were laughed and
scOffed at as silly, presumptuOus re6-
els, whom British grenadiers would
very soon tame into submission; but
undauntedly we prepared to make
good what we had said. The keen
encounter came, and the world knows
the result 1t is easy and pleasant
for those of the present generation to
talk and write Of the days Of 'T6, but
they little know, neither can they i'm
agine, the trials and sufferings Of
those fearful days. And there is one
thing that I much fear, and that is
the American people do not properly
appreciate the boon Of freedom. Party
spirit is yearly becoming stronger and
stronger, and without il Is checked,
will at no distant day, undermine and
tumble into ruins the noble structure
of the Republic. But let me hasten
to my narrative"
From the opening of the Revolu-
ton we experienced all phases OF for
tune, now good and now i'll, one time
victorious, ard another conquered.
The darkest period we had, however,
was, I think, when Washington after
several reverses, retreated to Valley
Forge, where he resolved to pass the
winter Of ~. All i have often seen
the tears cOursing down our dear old
commanders care worn cheeks, as he
would be cOnversing with eonhden-
tial officer about the condition Of his
poor soldiers. You have doubtless
heard the story of Washington going
TO the thieket to pray; well, 1t is not
only true, but he used often to pray
in secret for aid and comfort from
that God whose divine providence
alone brought us safely through those
dark days Of tribulation.
Zone day, remember It well-the
chilly winds whistled through the
leafless trees, though the sky was
cloudless and the sun shining bright
ly-he remained in his quarters near
ly all the afternoon alone. When he
came out I noticed that his face was a
shade paler than usual, and that there
seemed to be something upon his
mind Of more than ordinary impOr-
tanee. Returning just after dusk, he
despatched an orderly to the quarters
OF the officer I mentioned, who was
presently in attendance. After pre-
liminary conversation, which lasted
some half an hour, Washington gaz-
ing upon his companion with that
strange look Of dignity, which he
alone could command, said to the
latter:
Il do not know whether it is owing
to the anxiety of my mind, or what.
but. this afternoon, as / was sitting at
this very table engaged In preparinga a
dispatch, something in the apart
ment seemed to disturb me. Looking
up, beheld, standing opposite to me,
& singularly beautiful female. So MS
tonished was /, for had given strict
orders not to be disturbed, that it was
some moments before 1 found Ian
guage to inquire the cause of her pres !
enee. A second, a third, and even a
fourth time did repeat the question,
but received no answer from my
mysterious visitor, except 3 slight |
raising of the eyes. BY this time / |
felt strange sensations spreading /.
through me. I would have risen, but |
the rivited gaze Of the being before |
me rendered yOlutlon impossible. / |
essayed once more to address her, but |
my tongue had become pOwerless. !
Even thought itself suddenly became |
paralyzed. 4 new influence, mystic |
Tious, potent, irresistible, took posses
sion Of me. All I could do was gaze, /
gaze steadily, yacantly at my un-
known visitant. Gradually the sur !
rounding atmosphere seemed as |
though becoming filed with seusa-
tiOns, and grew luminous. Every |
thing about me seemed to rarely, the /
mysterious visitor herself becoming 1
more airy and even more distinct to !