River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-09


But, to the surprise of many, this mill
tary stranger claimed a turn, and the ole
chronicler tradition bears a fabulou!
record of his success across this chasnl Of
100 years.
A moment of silent establishment sue
eeeded, and then arose few shouts Of
admiration. a feeling all would have
shared but for their sympathy with An
nette. Trembling like leaf, she leaned
sadly on Toms arm, while ne whispered
| hurried directions for their flight, and
was leading her reluctant steps towards
the ivy covered tower, that had been ar
RANGED near The platform for her and her
successful knight.
! The old planter, stepping from his
SLIGHT elevation, and, putting his daugh-
ter's hand in that of the victor, said
"You have won the prize, sir, and, as my
word is never broken
Excuse me, sir, broke in the soldier,
holding the hand of the blushing girl,
! but YOU must allow me to interrupt you
one moment. l took part in this contest
/ for the simple pleasure of trying my
/ powers with others, and not as a rival.
confess this solitaire jewel is a rare prize,
wonderfully rare, for fathers heart to
surrender TO such an occasion, and,
much as / Inight regret it under other
| circumstances, my engagements renQer it
I impossible for me to accept the honor
you seem willing toconter. I, therefore,
reliuquish my right in favor Of hiR who
/ came next me in the list" and turning,
he placed the hand he held in that of the
surprised and happy Tom, adding, in a
| lower tone, "besides, the hand and heart
should never he divorced
"Look here, young officer" abruptly
interrupted the planter, II should be glad
to know your name and have you remain
with us"
THANK you, sir, was the reply, "but
have already fingered here too long. We
are making military pre- parations to stop
these Indian depredations, and you can
Judge it is no time for an officer TO be
long absent from his post. am sorry
to be forced to bid you so hurried fare
we'll"
He shook hands with the young couple
and congratulated them upon the happy
termination OF the contest, and, waving
an adieu 10 the rest, mounted his horse
and was soon out Of sight. The old
planter did not long survive, and never
saw his young visitor again.
Tom and Nettie married and settled
down in the old homestead which wealth
and happiness turned into a paradise.
The French war was soon closed. but a
greater one began when the colonies
threw off the yoke of England. From
this struggle rose the fame Of George
Washington, commander in-chiet of the
American armies, until it not only filed
all Europe, but rose higher still to be
first in the hearts CT his cOuntrymen."
After liberty was gained for 100000
people, Washington sought the retire
mcnt OF home. On Christmas eve, 1888,
he once more reached Mount Vernon,
after an abser &C of eight years and half,
during which time he had stopped there
only twice-on his way to Yorktown and
back
The September following his return he
began an equestrian tour beyond the Al
eghanies, where he held some property,
and. going near the plantation where
twenty. six years before he had partici-
pated in q jumping he called.
Two young girls were sitting on the
piazza, and rose to meet him as he ascend
ed the steps. DO Captain and Mrs.
f4enard still reside here!' here he asked.
Yes, SIR" answered the younger. Il
will call mama;" while the elder point
ing to an easy chair of willow, said,
.tWon't you take q seat, sir; it is cooler
out here than inside" blushing all the
while under his scruhnizing gaze just as
Ter mother had done years before.
us your name Nettie3H he asked.
''Yes, sir
Manned for your mother, | supposeY'
The astonishcd girl had no time to reply,
for the Tom and Netiie of olden time APP
Feared through the arched doorway and
the stranger rose to greet them.
"Will you take in an old friend and
waytarer to dine with you to-day? 1t is
iieasanter being with triends than at an
nm"
with pleasure" they replied, in the
old Southern style of true hospitality. Re
noticed, however, their look Of perpleX-
ity, and said 81 will not tax your mem
ory too lar, for twenty-six years bring
4eavy changes, still you can't forget
or last meeting. Do you remember a
v3uHg Co!oncl, captain, whose pTesump-
tion enabled him to outstrip you in a
jumping match years ago, and who yield
cd his right to the prize you so much
covetedl"
Indeed I do" exclaimed Capt. Len
ard, springing up and grasping his hand
oAce more. 81 knew | had seen you
a~mewhere, geueraI'-a name Tom had
unwittingly given him from the first
"Out could not recall the occasion. We
age indeed glad to see you, and give you
= warm welcome to our table"
They sat on the9 piazza atterl dinner,
tie same old western piazza, with its
climbing roses, where Ncttie stood in
hcr youthful grief Just twenty-six years
b4lore. And here, shaded by the same
cid iyies and poplars, they talked of the
changes the years had wrought, partiCu
larly for our country. Gen. Washington
enjoyed his visit exceedingly. They all
addressed him as 'GeLeral,n but their
tree and upconstrained remarks relating
T. the late war, and their intense admira-
ton tor the great leader of the American
ARMIES were evidence enough that he was
unknown.
When he rose to take leave, and was
giving each warm pressure Of the hand
IN farewell, Capt. LenaTd salo, general,
.'ave you this name because it seemed
Il suit you, not that thought you were
ose then, and it is the only name we
haye known you by. Were you
aware you had never enlightened us?"
Washington smiled. Il supposed from
several remarks made to day that was
unknown, and l have enjoyed our free
social Intercourse too march to enlighten
yen. Will you excuse what has seemed
ljke breach in politeness? and will
reotify the error now as far as possible"
Saving this, he presented his card:
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
Mount Vernon.
Not word was spoken, an in the
silence of amazement their world-famed
guest departed.
A Sailors StoIy