Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-10
A Story of WashingtOn in 1775.

i
on horseback merely for recreation.
AS was frequently the case, he rode
unattended, and wore the dress of a
civilian. He had proceeded couple
cf miles in the direction of Water
town, when he saw a woman, far adj
vanced in years, sitting in II doorway
and moaning piteously. His sympa-
thy was at once aroused and bringing
his horse to halt he inquired:
"What troubles you, my good wo-
man?'
"Oh, sir" was the reply, "some
rebel soldiers have been here this
morning, and stolen or destroyed every
thing in my garden. had cultivated
the garden with my own hands, and
looked to what | should gather from
it for the support of my invalid hus.
band and myself during the coming
winter" :"
May | see your husband ?"
"Certainly. He is always glad to
have anyone to call upon him."
Washington dsmounted, tied his
horse to the 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 in bed, extended to him
u 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 that 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 wo-
man saying, This will enable you to
provide for your present needs" She
at first manifested a reluctance to re-
ceiving it, but finally accepted it, with
profuse thanks. Then he promised
that General Washington should be
informed of the treatment to which
his soldiers had subjected her.
General Washington" she ex-
claimed. "He is our bitterest enemy,
and will, doubtless, rejoice to know
that any who sympathizo with the
British have been abused"
81 think you are mistaken in regard
to his disposition hope you are at
least" was the answer with smile, as
he left the house.
lie Immediately rode to Major Gen
eral Putnam, who commanded the
centre division Of the army stationed
at Cambridge-and having acquainted
him with what he had just learned,
ordered a search for the marauders to
be instituted, and that, when identified,
they be sent to his headquarters. The
third day thereafter an aid.de-camp
conducted three soldiers into his pres
ence.
"Arc you the ones who disgraccd
the uniform you wear by plunderiug a
defenceless woman's garden ~ asked
Washington sternly.
"She is Tory" was the indirect re-
ply,
"So she told me, and also that her
sons are in the British army. But she
was u woman, nevertheless, and for
that reason, if no other, entitled to re-
spect. Your wanton conduct was
worthy of oppressors 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, and see that
they fully compensate her for the
damage they wrought. Another of
fence Of like nature will not be
dealt with so leniently."
Later the same day, while he was
engaged in writing, servant informed
him that a woman waited in an adj
joining room, who was urgent to see
him privately.
ask her to step in here" said
Washington, 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 your Then
the tears came and she could articu-
late no more.
"Please be seated, madam" and
Washington placed chair for her.
She seated herself, and as soon as
she could command her voice con-
tinued
"Only a little time ago the soldiers
who robbed my garden came and gave
me a sum of money, more than sufli-
cient to make good my loss. From
them / learned that my visitor Of the
other morning was General Washing
ton himself-of whom | had held so
erroneous an impression-and that it
was at his--your-command they
recompensed me. When they had