The Somerset reporter., 1885-04-15
Selected.
W4SHINGTON IN Il
PASSION.
Il Story of the General at Vattey
Forge.

u
Journal l observe an auecdote of Wash
ugton fished out of an old contemporary
newspaper 1t recalled to my mind an in-
cden, IL my own experience, whereby
was strengthened in the opinion that the
Father of his Country was possessed of a
natural violent temper, which, however,
he succeeded in keeping under remarkable
control. A few Instances only are on rec
ord of tremendous explosions of wrath,
notably his outburst on Lee at Monmouth !;
but in isolated cases in his priva'e life he
W, nld have been supre-huDan not to have
occasionally TIPPED. as IN the one above
referred TO. My story is similar AS regards
the uncovering of the hidden volcano,
though under entirely different provocalon
and came into my possession As follows =
In the year 1885 | was travelling to west
ern virginia in one of Nile & Moor's stage
coaches, over the old national road from
Baltimore. | was one of three inside pes
sengers, my companions being two elderly
gentlemen of fine appearance and general
information. A STRIPPING and an entire
stranger To the country through which we
were passing, | listened with great inter-
est tn their genera, conversation, which
was mainly suggested by the localities and
inhabitants along our route. Alter pass
in Hagerstuwn, We ca ne upon portion
of tn" trial of Washington's rangers, when,
in 1904, he was sent to look after the
French aggressions on the Olio. This in
troduced talk concerning Washington's ca
reer and character. One of the genie
men avowed himself the son of re olu-
tionarv offlcer-a Peunsylvauian-who
fought ut Gcrmautown, knew Washington
intimately and was with the army during
its memorable winters encampment at Val
ley Forge. When a boy, he had often
heard his father tell an anecdote of our
great commander that occurred at that
time, which be proceeded TO rel ate.
1t was universally known throughout
the army (aud is now a matter of history
that Washington was an exceedingly me.
thodical man. having a stated time for ey-
cry action, public and private, of his daily
life. At his be ,,quar ers at Valley Forge
il was proc aimed in general orders that
the hours between IL A. NJ. and 2 p. Nj.
was sacred to the generals privacy and
must not be intrrrudted ty any caller, *
cept upon cuisines, OF the utmost import
III ce. This strict ordinance became, ohe
day, the topic of conversation at the r"ss
table of some young officers, one OF whom
wag, rcd SO that not Il man al the Ia lie
dared venture to disturb the general In his
rooms during these hours. 1t was taken
in IA frolicSame spirit by one of them, who
WAS to try the experiment within week.
Having assume so dubious Il task, its
imprudeut undertaken proct eded to con-
trive ways and means whereby to accomp
fish il. To avoid unpleasant consequences
the attempt must find justification in some
occasion OF mumentous importance. This
he pretended TO tiud in rumor just then
prevalent in the camp, OF an intended sur
prise of the army by the British at that
time occupying Philadelphia. This was
true. night attack had been planned
but WIS averlcd by information given by d
| Quakeic>s. Said rumor he would make his
| apology for breach of orders, exculpating
| himself on the ground of lis intrinsic me-
meut, and the assumed ignorance of the
COMMUNICATIVE 80 that he worst ht
would have to fear would be a kind rebukt
for overweening, patriotic zeal. He nc
cordingly coDcocted his story in set phrase
and went-albeit with much misgiving-tt
headquarters. The generals room was al
| the end of Il long corridor in which AT
armed sentry was walking. Being prompt
| y challenged by tina; official, something
like the following ensued:-
Il wish to see the general Immediately.
You cannot, sir; you must know the or
| dtis.'
Yes, | know them; but l have grave
| communication which l wish TO make tt
| him forthwith
Cant help it, sir; you must come aftei
2 O'Clock. l have my orders and cam
| break them.
Friend, suppose l know of a matter O
vital interest to you, to ne, 10 him, to the
whole army-which an hour may render IA
ial to US all; don't you see that such &
hing overrides your orders, and that the
| un>equencCs of delay will he laid at youi
| hoor? must see him and tell him.
The sentry was staggered by his earnest
ness and the apparent pressure Of the oc
casion, and to the applicants continued
urgency at length said: 'All orders are tt
permit no interruption of the general Till
O'Clock | dare not knock 10 announce
you. If things are as you say and you art
willing to take the responsibility, 20 and
| do so, and the Lord save both of us.
The officer went to the door and knocked
No answer. Again, still all silent within
His heart thumped heavily and he was
more than half.minded 10 forego his pur
pose. But that anticipated laugh at the
messaable over his iailur. spurred him tC
once more attempt. Immediately follow
Ing the third knock, a sound as of II chai
| suddenly and violently pushed over bart
floor, was heard, followed by heavy
tramp of boots toward the door With {
quick jerk of the bolt it flew open, and
Washington, with head thrown back ant
face flushed with anger, stood before him
with the exclamation, what does ,hi
mean sir2 The culprit attempted to sum
mon up his concocled story; but the ex
preston of his interrogators face, such a
he had never seen before, and cess Of
sudden consciousness OF his frivolity mad
him stammer In utter forgetfulness OF hi
well-dge. Ted words. But not for long
for Washington cut him short with, BE
gone! and consider yourself under arres'