Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-08-27
Gen. Washington and the Boys.

zen. " hSllnSlOn anu lnc DOlSs
In the month of October. 1889, General
Washington, who, was then president of
the United States, and residing in New
York, made tour, attended by his secre-
taries, Messrs Lear and jackson, to the
states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and
New Hampshire.
History tells us how in every part of the
country through which he passed the
people embraced the opportunity then
offered to show their respect and even
veneration for this man, in whose character
whatever was great aud good, whatever
dignifed and adorned human nature was
so happily blended.
Whenever lie approached town or
village the roads were lined with the
inhabitants who had turned out to bid
him welcome; and, in many instances
was escorted by local companies Of militia
from place to place.
The whole community was now wrought
up to the highest pitch Of excitement in
regard to the presence of the distinguished
visitor, and hardly anything else was
talked of in the towns and villages through
which he was to pass.
Esquire Samuel Dunton came homo
from "a trip from Norwich to Willington,
small township nestled among and
almost hidden by the hills of eastern Con-
necticut, and set all the men, women aud
children into blaze of enthusiasm with
the news that the presidential party were
to pass over the Hartford and Providence
turnpike" and would arrive at point
iu the south part of Wellington. near
Mansfield, ut about eleven o'clock the next
forenoon.
The Wellington folks Immediately set
about organizing company to 90 down
and Join the Mansfield people in giving
General Washington suitable reception.
Of course there was plenty of wide
awake girls and boys who wanted to go
with the older people and have glimpse
of the great man; but in those days chill
dren were learned that they were ito be
seen and not heard and on all public
oooasions were kept rather in the hEck-
ground.
The October morning opened bright
and beautiful, and the Preston family at
the tannery were early alive, and with
their neighbors, the Holts, the Westons,
the Aliens, the Pearls and the buttons
started in the early morning in holiday
dress, down the woody Mansfield road.
A group of eager, lively, bright faced
boys were gathered on the bridge, to see
them off. They watched the cavalcade,
men and women all on horseback, each
horse carrying man with woman be-
hind him on "pilion," until it disap-
peared in the gray mist rising over Fenton
river.
There were a few moments of silence,
and the lugubrious faces Of the boys were
growing longer and longer over their
disappointment, when Timothy Pearl. the
oldest and most daring of the group
said:
II tell you what it is, boys, if General
! Washington is to pass so near US to-day |
mean to have sight of him. Esquire
Duuton said he'd likely be along down on
! the cross roads about eleven O'Clock. I'm
going to run away down to the turnpike
/ How many of you will 20 with me? Il
we 90 cross lots, and run down all the
hills and step spry the rest of the way
/ in time to see him.
Half dozen of the boys caught off their
hats and swinging them high in the air
gave three rousing cheers for General and
| President Washington. Little eight-years
old Amos Preston jumped up and down
swinging his hat and shouting as wildly
rs his older comrades. When with "one
two, three" move, they were off with 4
leap frog jump they found him bringing
up the rear.
Amos, you can't go!n Zebediah Marcy
shouted back at the small fellow; "youI
legs are too Short"
"Trv me and see" said Amos, firmly
= | think it's too bud if General Washing
ton is to come so near and not see him
!. as we'll as the rest of you. | want tC
see him Just as much as if my legs were
longer!
Let him go" said David Glazier, whC
was only tribe older than Amos but very
much taller Hes pleasant boy, ant
never complains nor whimpers when ht
is tired. We big boys can give him lif
if he fuckers" And reaching out he took
Amos by the hand, and the boys started
once more.
Away they went, moving off across tht
fields and woods gay with the variegate(
leaves, mot stopping to disturb the squirrel
LAYING in their store of nuts, nor taking
time 10 pause in the shadowy orchards t
fill their wide pockets with the nice frui
lying thickly strewn on the grass. Firs
one and then another of the boys graspet
Amos by the hand for a run, or to hell
him Jump over the huge fallen trees or tn
!, brooks intercep.ing their way.
{ Just before the boys came upon III
turnpike, they paused under group o
. NAPLES to take breath.
How like ragamuffins we do look witt
, our old clothes on, and they all so worI
and muddyw said Zebulon Crocker
"What will the General think of US if h,
, should happen to spy us'"
, Lets trim ourselves up,h said liltl,
, Amos. Here's lot of bright leaves; anC
: there's thorn bush with plenty of thorn!
10 fasten them on with
) "Sure enough and we'll spoken sal,
! Elijah Elbridge. Amos knows thing u
; two if his legs are so very short
: When the boys again resumed thei
, running march. decked out from head t
{ foot with the golden and scarlet leaves
: they presented curious sight, indeed.
30 see, seel Eurrah, hurrah, hurrah !!
, shouted Jeduthau Rice, as the tirel com
pany of boys reached the crest of hill
that overlooked a wide expanse of tn,
/ section that embraced portions of tn
towns of Ashford, Wellington and Mans
. field. And away in the distance, comm!
5 down the Ashford hills, the excited grouI
3 saw a long line of vehicles, among 5then
= two large coaches and fours, preceded b
company of militia, their muskets glis