Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-06-12
WINNING HIS WIFE.
SOME PERSONAL INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE
OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.


The public career of Washington is
an oft-told tale. Washington was essen
TALLY countryman; he became a soldier
and ruler from force of circumstances,
not from choice. He was younger son,
Geo. Esten Cooke tells US, and begun
life as surveyor for his connection,
Lord Fairfax of "Greenway Court" in
Virginia valley-the eccentric old noble
man who owned nearly one-fourth of the
colony of Virginia, who became the ear
ly protector of the boy, George Wash
ington, and who, when more than thirty
years afterward, he heard that Lord
CORVALLIS had surrendered to this same
boy, exclaimed to his old body servant:
''Take me to bed, Joe it is time for me
to die -
The youth was sixteen when he ford
ed the Shenandoah, chain and compass
in hand, ruddy boy with bright face
and curling hair, intent on earning his
"doubloon day" He had left behind
him little 'lOwland beauty" as he
called her-the mother afterward of
Light Horse" Harry Leland by the
light of his bivouac fire in the great
woods he made bad verses in her honor.
Then came Braddock's march and the
Indian wars on the frontier, and the
youth was put in command there, and
became tough and enduring for the
greater work of the future He made
high reputation and received public hon.
ors; but he did not seem to desire them.
He preferred country life at Mount YER
non, which was now his property, and
the enjoyment Of the society ofhis young
wife and his old neighbors. His first
meeting with Mrs. Washington was ac-
cidental and little romantic. He was
making a rapid horseback journey from
the frontier to Williamsburg, when, in
Kent county, he met a gentleman who
invited him to stop for the night. He de-
clined-his business was public and ur-
gent; but consented to dine, ordering
his horse to be ready in an hour.
In an hour his horse was awaiting him
at the door, held by his stiff old body
servant, Bishop, presented to him by
Braddock. But Colonel Washington was
not ready, and did not make his appear
ance until next morning. He had made
the acquaintance of the beautiful young
Martha Curtis, who in January, 1859,
became Mrs. Washington, bringing him
fortune of about 100000. Thenceforth
the young soldier seemed to. lose all his
ambition. Private life pleased him bet
ter than public. Ingrained in him were
the instincts and tastes of the planter,
and he loved the management of his es-
tate as politician loves to govern a ma
tion-to lay out new fields, plan i'm
provements, raise thoroughbred horses
and new breeds of cattle, and to ride out
gun in hand, or follow the hounds, of
which he had an excellent pack.
His character was sedate, and he
seemed rather cold, but he entertained
literally, though his personal habits
were plain and temperate. He was more
man of business than student. In
his county and in the Burgesses he threw
his great name into the scales of revolu-
tion; and receiving from Congress in
l775 the summons to take command of
the American armies, at once obeyed the
summons, urging his incompetency, but
calmly accepting the responsibility. He
set out for Boston, was everywhere re-
ceived with acclamations, and at Cam
bridge took command of the colonial for
ces, resolved to do his duty ard leave
the rest to Providence.