Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-08-27

tening in the sun, occasionally n strain Of
martial music reaching the erect ears of
the Wellington boys.
Soon they emerged into the highway.
and when they came to the turnpike which
intersected it and made what was known
as the Crossroads they found the presi-
Dental party had alighted and were resting
under the shadow of an immense oak tree
near by.
There was quite crowd of people
gathered about General Washington and
his party, and at first our rather venture
some boys believed it would be impossible
for them to get sight of the great man.
But they perseyeringly edged their way
along and at last reaching the large coach
in which the general rode, and upon the
box of which sat the liveried and pompous
negro driver. boylike they edged in under
it, and found themselves in the immediate
vicinity of General Washington.
The slight movement that the coach
horses made as.the boys ensconced them
selves beneath the vehicle. caused the
general to look around for the cause of
the disturbance, and presently he was
looking into the sweaty dusty faces OF
these fantastically garlanded boys.
A quiet smile lighted up the presidents
countenance as he pleasantly said:
Come out, boys, and let US see what
you are"
The boys scrambled out and with adj
mirable presence of mind arranged them
selves in line along tue side Of the coach
and removed their hats while the general
stood in front of them, evidently amused
at the very queer appearance they made,
at the same time pleased with their re-
spectful manner.
We'll, well, my boys, you must have
been running quite hard in order to see
me, and have, suppose, bedecked your
selves with these beautiful autumn leaves
in my honor. l bid you n very good
morning"
20, dear mer cried little Amos, i'm
pulsively, you are nothing but man,
after all. sir!'
You are quite right my fine little
fellow" said the general, laughing and
doubtless touched by the entire boyish
remark; and, stepping forward and patting
little Amos head, he continued: You
are right, and if misjudge not your
character, am no more of man than
you will be some day. That is something
for you all to remember. You who are
boys now are soon to be the men upon
whom our country must depend
The boys bowed, and, lodging again
under the great coach, made place for a
party Of country magnates who were ap-
preaching.
The Wellington folks were Mortified
when they beheld the fantastic array Of
the runaway boys, and the Oldest grand
father of them all, who had not known ol
the little passage between them, and Cen
eral Washington, shook his long cane At
them. and, in Il trembling voice said:
I'VE will settle with you. you young
rascals, when you get home.n
If you horsewhip lis to death, sir,
said Timothy Pearl, in reply, you can't
help it that we've seen General Washing.
ton. Besides, sir. our parents didn't say
we shouldn't come. They only supposed
we wouldn't dare think of coming down
here, we are so young"
! The boys went back into the woods and
across lots, as happy rs any small party
of boys could be, and making a triumpha
litter of tender saplings, they gaily bore
little Amos on their shoulders back to tbs
Wellington valley, proud of him as being
the only boy they knew of who had beer
patted on the head by General Washing
ton.
This little Amos, who was my husband
grandfather, took great pride in this Incl
dent to the day of his death, and Otter
related it to his grandchildren. Many o
them. as well as some of his own children
now living, will vouch for the truth o
this story; and that old oak tree is ye
standing on the locality described,-Jul.
Wide AWake.