Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-09-12
WASHINGTON'S VISION.
THE WAR OF 1912 AND OF 1861 RE-
yEALED TO IllM-ANOTHER WAR
IN 1877.

The last time | ever saw Anthony
Sherman was on the 4th Of July, in
lS49, in Independence Square. He
was then ninety. one and becoming
very feeble but though so old, his
dimming eyes re-kindled as he looked
at Independence Hall, which he said
he had come to gaze upon once more
before he was gathered home.
"What time is it ?" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
s,eeple, and endeavoring to shade the
former with trembling hIlsd. "What
time is it? | can't see so we'll as |
used to"
"Halfpast three
Come then,' he continued, "let us
90 into the Hall | want to tell you
an incident in Washlngton's lite--one
which no one alive knows of except
myself, and if you live you will before
long see it verified. Mark me, | am
not superstitlous, but you will see it
verified"
Reaching the visitors rooms, in
which the sacred relics Of our early
days are preserved, we sat down upon
one of the old-fashioned wooden
benches, and my venerable friend re-
lated to me the following narrative
which from the popularity of our ma
uonal affairs at the present time, |
have been induced to give to the
world. ] give it as nearly as possible
in his own words
"Wben the bold action of our Con-
gress in asserting the independence OF
the colonies, became known in the
world, we we've laughed at and scoffed
at as silly, presumptous rebels, whom
the British grenadiers would tame in
to submission but undauntedy, we
prepared to make good what we 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 '76, but they little know,
neither can they imagine the trials
and sufenngs of those fearful days,
And there is one thing much fear
and that is, that the American people
do not properly appreciate the boon
of freedom. Party spirit is becoming
stronger, and unless it is checked, will
at no distant day undermine and tum,
BILE into ruin the noble spirit OF the
Republic. But let me- hasten to my
narrative.
From the opening of the Revolu
ton, we experience all phases of fort
une--now good and now i'll at one
time victorious, at another conquered
The darkest period we had, however
. was, think, when Washington. after
, several reverses retreated to Valley
, Forge where he resolved to pass the
, winter Of III. All! | have otter
, seen the tears coursing down our deal
old commanders care-work cheek as
he would be conversing with a conf
dental officer about the condition o.
his poor soldiers. You have doubtless
heard the story Of Washington going
to the thicket to pray. Well, it il
not only true, but he used often te
| pray in secret for aid and comfort
, from God, the lnterposition of whose
, divine providence brought us safely
, through those dark days Of tribula.
ton.
One day-I remember well-tht
chilly wind whistled aud howlec
, through the leafless trees, though the
sky was cloudless and the sun shining
brightly-he remained in his quarters
: nearly the whole Of the afternoon
alone. When he came out, l noticed
that his face was 4 shade paler thar
usual, aud that there seemed TO bt
something on his mind of more thar
ordinary importance. Returning just
, before dark he despatched an orderly
to the quarters OF the officer l men
| toned, who was presently in atten
dance. After preliminary converse
| ton, which lasted som, half an houl
Washington, gazing upon his com
+ panion with a strange look OF dignity
, which he alone could tcommand, sale
to the latter:
= / do not know whether it was ow
5 ing to anxiety ofmy mind or what
but this afternoon, as l was sitting a'
this very table engaged in preparing {
dispatch. something in the apartment
seemed to disturb me. Looking up,
beheld, standing exactly opposite me-
singularly beautiful figure. So as