The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-02-23
STORY OF WASHINGTON IN 1775.

One pleasant morning in August, 1715, Gen.
Washington set ont from headquarters at Cam
bridge On horseback for recreation; and as was
frequently the ease. he was in civilians dress
and unattended. lie had gone a couple of miles
ia the direction of Waterfowl. when he saw a
woman, far advanced in years, sitting in door
way and moaning piteously His sympathy
was aroused, and he inquired:
What troubles you, my good womanp
She replied: ''Oh, sir, some rebel soldiers
have been here this morning and stolen or des-
troyed everything in my garden. ! had Guilt
waited the garden with my own hands, and look =
ed to what shonld gather from it for the sup
mort of my invalid husband and myself during
the coming winter"
May see Your husband'-
Certainly. He is always glad to have any
one call upcn him.
Washington dis,hounted, tied his horse TO n
fence, and then followed the woman into tn.
house, where, on his way, he found evideuces of
extreme poverty lie was, however, cordially
welcomed by the feeble old ..nan who, bolstered
mp in bed, extended him thin colorless hand
For half honr or more the Commander-in-
Chief of the American army held converseswith
The aged couple, during which he learned that
they were the most pronounced Tories and had
two sOns-their only chiidren-among Cages
troops in Boston. Before taking his departure
he drew some money from his pocket, and held
II toward the woman, saying, ''This will enable
You to provide for your present needs" She at
first manifested reluctance TO receive il, but
acctpteu with thanks. Then he PROM
ised that Gen. Washington shOuld be informed
of the treatment TO which his soldiers had sub
jectcd her.
General Washington !" she exclaimed. ssHe
is our bitterest enemy, and will, doubtless, re-
ioice tn know that any who sympathize. with III.
British have been abused.n
81 think you are mistaken in regard to his
dispositions; hope You are, at least" was the
reply, with a smile, as he left the house.
lie immediately rode to Major General Put
LII
army-stationed at Cambridge-and having ac-
quainted him with what he had learned, order
ed a search for the maraulers TO be instituted
and that, when identified, they he sent to his
headquarters. The third day thereafter an aid
camp conducted three soldiers into his pres
ence.
Are you the ones who disgraced the uniforms
yon wear 10y plundering defenseless woman's
garden e. asked Washington, stemly.
''She is a Tory was the Indirect reply
$50 she told me, and also that her sons are IN
the British army. But she was roRaR never
teless. and for that reason, if other, entitled
to your respect. Your wanton conduct was
worthy Of opprrssOrs rather than those who-as
does the American army-aim to prevent OPP
preston. Accompany them TO the woman W HON
they mulrsted,' addressing the officer having
them in charge, land see that they fully COM
pensate her for the damage wrought. Another
offence of - like nature will not he dealt with
so leniently.n
Later in the day. while he was busily engaged
in writing, servant Informed him that woman
awaited him in an adjoining 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 placing her trembling hand upon his arm,
said, God bless you" Then the tears came,
and she could articulate no more.
'.plPaSp hp seated madam " and OF
placed a chair for her.
She seated herself, and as soon as she could
command her voice, continued:
''Only little time ago the soldiers who rob-
bed my garden came and gave me a sum of
money more than sufficient TO make good nv
loss. From them ! learned that my visitor Of
the other morning was General Washington him
self-Of whom had held erroneous ALI i'm
prcssion-and tina; it was at his-your-com-
mand they rccompsnsed me. When they had
gone my husband and talked the matter over
came to the conclusion that such a commander
so unlike Gen. Gage, who never calls his men to
account for any violence or injury they may
have done tn the rebels-wOuld not be likely to
have charge Of an unjust cause !; and though we
have been firm adherents to the King We then
resolved to espouse your cause in the future. l
think our sons, when they learn what has occur
red to us, will do the same. i came here to tell
you this. God bless you,' and touching her lips
to his hand she went from the apartment.
Within the month two soldirrs-ths woman's
sons-deserted the British standard, and enrolled
themselves with those who fought beneath the
dag which was emblematic Of freedom. Justice,
equality. One Of them was killed. the other
severely wounded in the assault on Quebec, I'M
der Arnold.
This story often told in Boston and Cam
bridge during the Revolution. and at its close,
hut do not know that it has been given in
history.
II is one of the many local traditions of Wash
ington, and present the version of it that
was told by the old-time iresides.
Stories of popular kings acting the part of
unknown benefaetors have often been told, as,
for example, King Henry and the miller King
James and tine tinker, but have not before
met with a like incident of Westinghouse f.
Foster.