The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1881-12-08
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One pleasant morning in August, 1775,
Gen Washington set out from head
quarters atCambridge on horseback for
recreation; apd, as was frequently
the case, he was In civilians dress
| and unattended. He had gone couple
| Of miles In the direction of Wstertown,
| when ne saw . woman, far advanced
in years, sitting i'm q doorway and
moaning piteously. His sympathy
was aroused and he inquired:
What troubles you, my good wo-
mani"
She replied: "Oh, sir, some rebel
soldiers have been here this morning
! and stolen or destroyed everything in
my garden. had cultivated the gar
den with my own hands, and looked
to what should gather from il for the
support Of my invalid husband and
myself during the coming winter"
May ! see your husband ."
Certainly. He is always glad to
have any one cali upon him."
Washington dismounted. tied his
horse to fence, and then followed the
woman into the house, where, on his
way, he found evidences of extreme
poverty. He was. however, cordially
welcomed by the feeble old man, who
bolstered up i'm bed, extended him a
thin, colorless hand. For half on hour
or more the COmmander-in-Chie OF
the American army held converse
with the aged couple, during which he
learned that they were the most pro-
nOunced Tories, and had two sons
their only children-among Cages
troops i'm Boston. Before taking his
departure he drew some money from
his pocket, and held il toward the wo-
man, saying, This will enable you to
provide for your present needs She
ut first manifested a reluctance to re-
ceiving ii, but finally accepted il, with
thanks. Then he promised that Gen.
Washington should be informed of the
treatment TO which his soldiers hae
subjected her.
General Washington she ex-
claimed. He il our bitterest enemy,
and will, doubtless, rejoice TO know
that any who synpathiZe with the
British have been abused"
think you are mistaken in regard
to his disposition hope you are, at
least" was the reply, with smile, rs
be left the house.
He Immediately rode to Maior-Gen-
erai ruthani, VINO coiiihlahueu the
center division of the arny-stationed
at Cambridge-and having acquainted
him with what he mad learned, Or
dered a search for the marauders tn be
instituted, and that. when identified,
they be sent TO his headquarters. The |
third day thereafter an aid-de-camp |
three soldiers into his pres |
ence.
A. are you the ones VINO ulsgraced
tue uuiioihhs YOU wear oy PiundeIiuS
HHeIenceiess woman gardeh asked
"ass,nhs.ol, s.erhH'
cue IL ior!' WIS tiie iiidlrec'
reply.
80 she told me, ana also that her
SOILS are III the BRUSH army. bui sne
was "oH"., nevertheless, anu ior
lnat reason, IL no o,her, entitled 10
respect. your wanton conduct was
worthy OF oppressors rather than those
wno-as uoes me american army
AIN 10 prevent oppression; Accon-
Pany .heni 10 the woman wnoh iheE
Iloiested' aIure-sinS tie oiileer nav
,hg thehh I'D charge, anu see that ihey
luiIy compensate her ior the damage
wrought. announcer "iehce Oh IKE
nature VIII hot pe deait WIN SD ieh-
emily"
Later In the day, while he was busily
engaged IN writing, a servant informed
aim that woman awaited INN IN an
room, VINO was urgent 10
zee MN privately. II
ASK her 10 step IN mere, sald
" washington, laying aside MS qulll.
When the woman presented herself
)efore MIN ne saw she was the one IN
whose behalf ne had acted a few hours
previously She went 10 him, and
placing her trembling hand upon his
lrm, SAID, God bless you Then
he tears came, ana she could articulate
10 more. Il,
flease Oe seated, hiadain, ana
" washington placed q chalr Tor her.
she seated herself, ana as soon a.
ne could command her voice cohtii-
eu:
only little time ago the soldiers
'no ROBBED my garden came ana gave
ne a sum OF money more than suiiic-
ant 10 make goou my loss. FROM
mem L learned that my visitor oil the
ther morning was General Washing
On hlmself-Of whom l had held so
rrOneOus an impression-andt that II
'as ut Observation-Disclosures they rec
me. When they had gone,
ny husband and 1, talked the matter
yer. came To the conclusion that such
commander-so unlike Gen. Gage,
Tho never calls his men Ia account for
ny violence or injury they may have
have charge of an unjust cause; and
AZ r-a Ial al T.