Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-04-16
IN A PASSION.
A Story OF General Washington ut vale,
Forge.

WeScrn Vlrg MIA in one OF Nell
Meere's stage-coaches, over the Old
nseional road, from Baltincee. Iwss
enc of three inside passengers, my CON-
Tanions being two elderly gentlemen OF
fine appearance and general informa-
ton. A STRIPPING and aneatire stranger
to the country through which we were
passing, l listened with great interest
to their general conversation. which
was mainly Suggested by the localities
and inhabitants along our route. After
passing Hacerstown we came upon a
portion of she trat of Washing ton's
rangers. when, in 1854, he was sent to
look after the French aggressiOns on
the Ohio This introduced talk con-
corning Washing Ons career and char
acter. One of .h1e gentlemen avowed
himself the son of Revolutionary Off
cer-a Pennsp'vanian-who fought at
Germgptown, knew Washington init
mate!s, and vas with the army during
its memorable; winters encampmeRt at
Waller 'For@, When a boy he had
often heard his father tell an anecdote
at rh at 'timH;, which ne proceeded to re-
lats.
It was universally known throughout
the army (and is now a matter of hiSto-
rs) that Washington was an exceeding
ls ,methodical man. having a stated time
for ever action. public and private. OF
mis- daily life. At his headquarters st
Valley Forge it was proclaimed in gen.
eral 'erders that the hoNs between
:efeve.. a. M. and TIVE p. m. was
sacred to the Generals privacy
and must not be interrupted by
any caller, except upon business OF
/ tf1esltmost importance. This strlc: Or
I'dinance became. one 6tg. the topic OF
at the mess table of some
hyoung officers. one of whom wagered
$40 that not man at the table dared
Isventure to disturb the General in his
rooms during those hCsirs. 1t was taken
in frolicsome spirit by one of them,
who was to try the experiment within a
! week
Having assumed ,zedlubious a task. its
imprudent undertaken proceeded to con.
trive ways and mesrS whereby to &C.
complish it. To amid. unpleasant con.
sequences, the attempt must find justi-
1 ticatiOn in some occasion of nlOmentors
Importance. This he pretended to finf
in rumor Just rthsn prevalent in tht
camp of an intendcd SURPRISE of tt
army bv the British at that time ocesi-
| pying Philadel pn;s- This was true A
night attack hadhsen planned, but sas
avcrted by information given 10y q
Quakeress- Sail Iumor he would nn Ike
his apology for hre;rch' of orders. eN: Ill
pat:ng himself pn the ground of its in
trinsic moment AID the assumed ipno
rance of the Commander-in-C hief,sc that
the worst he could hhave to fear, wssrrld
| be kind ebukefaor overweening patri
otto zeal. He accordingly concoc.ed hi:
story in set phraee, and went-.sibeit
with much misgiving-to headquarters
| The General S ro7m was at the enc of q
| long corridor, il which an army, sentry
was walking. Being promptly chal-
lenged by that soilicial, something like
the following ensued:
Il wish to see the Generalj 1nme-
ately."
You can mot, ser; you must know the
| orders"
"Yes. know tEem, but Ihave a grave
communication which wish to make to
him forthwith
Cant helpiit, sir; you must come
after two G,cloch- have my oIders,
and can't bneakithem."
Friend. suppose know of a natter
of vital Importance to you. to me. to
| him, to the whole army-which an hour
may render fata! 10 us all dom you
see that sue h thin gs OverrideS yOnr or
ders and that theuonsequences of delay
will be laid at your door? l must see
him and tell him
estness and she. apparent pressure Of the
occasion, and to Me applicants. con-
tinued urgency at!iength said: IN or
ders are to permit CT no interruption of
the General Sill two o clock. / dare not
knock to aRnOunceyou. If things are
as YOU say, aud yea are willing to take
the respons liility, oand do so, and. the
| Lord save bo6n ,OfsuS
1.-The officer went to the door and
Knocked. Ns answer Again. sii&sali
silence within HIS heart thumred
tileavily, and iie was more than hs.f-
minded to foreso his purpose. But that
anticipated laugh at the mess-table Ovrr
/ his failure spulred him to one more ~
Il mpt. Immediately fol- owing the third
Ks ock SOUND s:iS .ofAa chair suddenly
and violently pushedoever bare flsser
vas heard. followed by a hearr
tramp of boots toward the door.
With a quick Iterk 90 the bolt ii
flew open. and Washingts n. with head
thBowl back ant face flushed with
anger. stood before him with the exela-
matt,n- .'Whas does thus mean. siro''
Thee ulprit attempted &c summon up
his oG noocted story; 5ut tke expression
of ais in .erroga:af Saee, ~ ch as he had
never.se',n before. AMI the access of 4
sudden consciousness of si,;s frivoliis-
F.,,ade him stammer in utter forgetfui-
CESS Of his well.fisesaed words. But
not fort ong. for Washington cut him
short With. "Begoae! ard consider YOUR
s,if un,i.r arrest. sir" AS he turned to
sneak away. he heard these further
words ~sbs at the sentry '.DO.sou know
Your orders?''
II es, General. but
~'rhen, obey them. and IL this occurs
again. 1wih thrust your basonet through
your .slrse6 BODY"
Th.t succeeded bang II the door,