, 1881-07-15
A Story OF 1875.

Gen. Washington set out from his head
quarters at Cambridge on horseback,
merely for recreation. AS was ire
uuently the case, he rode unattended,
and wore the dress of a civilian. He had
proceeded a couple of miles in the dl-
rection of Watertown, when he saw
woman, far advanced in years, sitting IN
a doorway and moaning piteously. HIS
sympathies were at once aroused, and,
bringing his horse to halt, he inquired:
"What troubles you, my good
woman?"
so, sir" was the reply, ''some rebel
soldiers have been here this morning
and stolen or destroyed everything in
nv garden. 1 had cultivated the garden
with my own hands, and looked to what
1 should gather from it for the support
of my invalid husband and myself dur
ing the coming winter"
'.May 1 see your husbands"
Certainly. He is always glad to have
any one call upon him."
Washington dlsmounted, tied his
horse to a fence, and then followed the
woman into the house, where, on every
side, he found evidences of extreme pow
erty. He was, however, cordially vel
coined by the feeble old man, who, boil
stored up in the bed, extended to him
thin, colorless hand. For half an hour
or more the Commander-in-Chief of the
American army held converse with the
aged couple, during which he learned
they were most pronounced Tories, and
had two sons-their only children
among Cages troops in Boston. Before
taking his departure, he drew some
money from his pocket and held it
toward the woman, saying:
"This Will enable you to provide for
your present needs" She at first mani
tested reluctance to receive it, but fin
ally accepted it, with profuse thanks.
Then he promised that Gen. Washing
ton should be informed of the treatment
to which his soldiers had subjected her.
"Gen. Washingtopi' she exclaimed
HE is our bitterest enemy, and will
sympathiZe with the British have been
abused
81 think you are mistaken in regard
to his disposition; hope you are at least, I"
was the answer, with a smile, as he left
the house.
He Immediately rode to Major General
Putnam, who commanded the center
division of the army-stationed at Cam
bridge-and having acquainted him with
what he had just learned, ordered a
search for the marauders to be institut-
ed, and that, when identified, they be
sent to his headquarters. The third day
thereafter, an aid de camp conducted
three soldiers into his presence.
Are you the ones who disgraced the
uniforms you wear by plundering de-
fenseless woman's garden?" asked Wash
inPton sternly
''She is Tory" was the indirect re-
ply;
$50 she told me, and also that her
sons are in the British army. But she is
a woman, nevertheless, and for that
reason, if for no other, entitled to
respect. Your wanton conduct was
worthy of opIressors rather than of those
who-as does the American army-aim
to prevent oppression. Accompany
them to the woman whom they molested, !"
addressing the officer having them in
charge, land see that they fully COM
pensate her for the damage they
wrought. Another offense OF a like
nature would not be dealt with SO
leniently."
Later, the same day, while he was en-
gagged in writing. servant informed
him that woman waited in an adioin-
ing room, who was urgent to see him,
privately.
"Ask her to step in here,' said Wash
ington, laying aside his quill.
When the woman presented herself
before him, he saw she was the one in
whose behalf he had acted few hours
previously. She went to him and
placed her trembling hand upon his
arm, saying, "God bless YOU" Then
the tears came, and she could articulate
no more.
'Please be seated, madam" !" and Wash
ington placed chair for her.
She seated herself, and, SO soon as
she could command her voice, con-
tinued,-
''Only a little time ago, the soldiers
who robbed my garden came and gave
me sum of money, more than suffi-
clent to make good my loss. From them
L learned that my visitor of the other
morning, was Gen. Washington him
self-of whom 1 had held SO erroneous
an lmpression-and that it was at his
-your-command they recompensed
me: When they had gone my husband
and l, talking the matter over. came to
the conclusion that such commander
so unlike Gen. Gage, who never calls his
1OA 1iiy NlO16nCc OF III
jury they may have done to the rebels
would not be likely to have charge of an
unjust cause; and though we had been
firm adherents to the King, we then and
there resolved to espouse your cause in
the future. 1 think our sons. when they
learn what has occurred to us. will do
the same. came here to tell you this.
God bless you'll" and touching her lips to
his hand she went from the apartment.
Within the month two soldiers-this
womans sons - deserted the British
standard and enrolled themselves with
those who fought beneath the flag which
was emblematical of freedom, Justice.
equality. One of them was killed. the
other was severely wounded in the as
sanlt on Quebec, under Arnold.
This story was often told in Boston
and Cambridge during the revolution
and after its close, bnt we do not know
that 1t has been given in history.
1t is one of many local traditions of
Washington, and We present the version
of 1t that was told by the old-time ire
sides.
Stories of popular kings acting the
part OF unknown benefactors have often
been told. as, for example, King Henry
and the miller, King James and the tir-
ker, but We have not before met with a