The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-02-25

The Washingtons owned many slaves, and
the sp inning wheel aud loom and sewing
room required constant care from Mrs.
Washington. 1t was a religious household
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Washiny ton were M .mbers
of the Episcopal church, and family prayers,
at which al the servants were present were
the ru of the house
The mo her was serious, earnest person,
whose rerroofS 10 her children were often
made in criptural language Honor thy
father and mother was a command so thor
oughly instilled into their young minds that
they We're as obedient AMI reverent in their
later as in their earlier years Mrs. Wash
ington was left widow when George was
but II years old. She was the guardian of
her stepchiidren as well as her own, intrust-
ed with the revenues of their property until
they severally came of age a trust she cen
scientiously fulfilled.
She ruled kindly but firmly, exacting
Difference as we'll as obedience and this, it
is said, her children willingly paid to the
day of her death She was dignifed to the
point of being severely stately From her,
douotleis, Gen. Washington inherited the
awe.inspiring manner he was said to pos
sess. There is an old story describing the
discontinue of man, an official of high
rank, too, who once Familiarity put his hand
on Washington shoulder. He said he
wouldn't do it again to save his own life.
That mother and son were much alike in
character, appearance and conduct, there
can be no doubt. Both were lacking in
humor and Imagination; both were silent,
reserved, self contained and serious
George frequently spent his holidays at
Mount Vernon with his brother Lawrence,
who was largely responsible for putting him
in the way of a military career, and who
bequeathed to him Mount Vernon. When
he was but IA years old a midshipman S
position on a British man-of-war could have
been secured for him. but his mother refused
her consent. This little incident doubtless
saved him from otscurity. Later she cheer
fully assented to his departure to the French
and Indian war, and from that time on he
only saw her on occasional visits
Before starting north to assume command
Washington visited his mother, and during
his absence wrote her repeatedly. When
she heard him extravagantly praised she an
swered that Providence ordered all things;
or said simply that he had been good son and
see believed he had done his duty as a man
tnould. She did not see him for six years.
After the surrender of CORVALLIS at York
town, Washington visited her attended by
his staff. Tie people Of Fredericksburg gave
a ball in his honor which was attended by
the most distinguished officers and citizens.
That was the only occasion when Mrs.
Washington appeared in public with heI
son She was then over 70. and received
more courtly attention than any other fguri
present, her illustl ious son not excepted
She is described as 1.-THE picture of beautiful
simplicity moving among the dazzlint
throrg dressed in the appropriate costunS
of Virginia matron of the olden time"
The Marquis de Lafayette visited Fred
ericksburg especially to bid Mrs Washing
ton good-by He found her in homes2ur
dress and suntonnet, working in her garden
"Ah, Marquis" she said, "you see an ole
woman; but come, 1 can make you velcom,
to my poor dwelling without the parade o.
changing my dress"
When Washington was elected presiden
he paid her farewell v sit. This was thu
year of her death. Both felt that the part
ing was the last in this world. She was ther
fast journeying to the life beyond having fol
years been afflicted by n cancer, keeping hel
ailment secret as long as it was possible tt
do so. She diel on Aug. %, 1889, in hel
S31 year. Her grave was unmarked ever
by head stone, till the the year 1888, whel
President Jackson laid the corner stone Of I
monument to her memory. A colossal bus
of Washington was to adorn the shaft, anl
that surmountei by the American eagle sus
tanning civic crown above the hero
head. This was to be its inscription
Mary, the mother OF Washington" But
alas, the pedestal is moss covered and un
finished, and the marble from which the
shaft was to have been made lies beside II
crumbling to decay The accompanying
picture, drawn by w. o Hazard, of Fred
ericksburg, gives faithful transcript of its
appearance,