The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-06-16


"'Ah, Master Ford he said, lis that
youT in an undertone, and, stepping aside
he called me to him and whispered
GIVE me the countersign'
~ did 50, when Hamilton, stepping in
front Of the soldier, gave it to him. The
sentinel, believing that his superior was
testing his fidelity, kept his bayenet uu-
moved.
II haYe given you the countersign, why
do you not shoulder Your muskct?" asked
| Hamilton.
"JVill that do, colonel?" inquired the
sentinel, in reply
" 1t will do for this time, let me pass
''The sentinel reluctantly obeyed the il
legal command, and we passed on. The
lovers were married before the next Christ
mas. You know the rest, Hamilton was
shot b. Burr. His widow, understand is
yet living, over ninety years of age.''
"She isl replied. "She is LYING with
her affectionate daughter, Mrs. Holly in
elegant retirement in Washington City. |
| expect to see her in few weeks"
''Did not distinguished Spanish gent
leman die here during the spring9" I in
quired.
Yes" said Judge Ford, she came with
the Cheyalier de Luzerne, the French Min
ister, early in April. His name was Miral-
les-Don Juan DE Miralles-a Spanish
grandee. They remained at headquarters
for sometime. A ball was given in honor
OF the minister at the Morris Tavern, which
was attended by General and Mrs. Wash
iDgtOn, all his officers, General and Mrs.
Schuyler and their daughter, Governor
Livingston and his wife, and many other
people of quality. Miralles was prostrated
by heavy cold at the time and remained
in bed at headquarters. lie grew worse
rapidly, and a day or two before the first of
May he died, and was buried in the little
cemetery of the Presbyterian church. Dur
ing his Illness, Mrs. Washington admins
tered to his wants with her own hands. A
-
ants, performed the ceremonies at his
funeral. The coffin was borne to the grave
on the shoulders of -four artillery officers in
full uniform, followed by Washington and
Lnzerne and their respective suites and
many citizens. 1t is said the Spanpiard
was very rich. | remember looking upon
his dead body with wonder awe and ad-
miration, as it lay lin state as we say, in
the room where we are now sitting, in his
richly ornamented open coffin, lined with
fine cambric and covered with black velvet.
Instead of shroud, he was in full dress
suit of scarlet, embroidered with gold lace
three-cornered gold-laced hat, a cued wig,
white silk stockings, large diamond-stud-
ded knee and shoe buckles, a prominent
diamond ring on his finger, and from a
superb gold watch set with diamonds sever
al rich seals we're hung | heard that he
left his immense fortune to three daugh
ters in Spain, amounting TO half million
dollars each"
"Was Mrs. Washington at headquarters
al. winter?" inquired.
"She came at about the middle of Janu
ary," said Judge Ford, 'when the snow
,
the soldiers were suffering most. He
presence was like sunshine. She haC
kind word and act for everybody
The officers accord d homage t.
her noble chalact the soldiers adore'
her and yet she was as simple and softl
digniieG in her department as pious ma
tron ought to be. While she could enter
, tain with great cheerlulness, grace, urban
+, lty and good sense, she was seldom wlthou
knitting-work in her hands when recelyiD
and entertaining guests. The suffering @
the soldiers touched her generous nature
and she even interested the women G
every degree in Morrislown in co-operatin
. with her in providing for the sick and su
4 feriDg in the army"
> And WashingtonT
g "He was always grave, but never sac
: always kind, but never familiar, and h
f was scrupulously just and thoughtful {
y duty towards others.
! As an Illustration of phase Of Washing
II TOMS private character, Judge Ford relate
Is that when the patriot took posse sion {
y Mr.. Ford's mansion he made an inYel
a tory of an articles which were appropriate
8 to his use during he winter. When
e withdrew in the spring he inquired wheth'
d everything had been returned to her
h can but ore silver spoon, she said.
4 He took note of it. and not long afte
E. wards she received spoon from Washin
ton bearing his initials-G. W. 1t W
s. preserved in the family as precious n,
mento, and as such it was shown to me 4
Sc next morning Washington's tender ca
n. for the comfort of Mrs. Ford lwho was I
he widow of Colonel Jacob Ford, command
be of the Morris County militia at the time
d. Washington's fight through New Jerse!
IN was often eyinced. On the occasion Of I
lis night alarms mentioned, he always went
NJ her room, drew the bed-curtains close a
is soothed her with assurances of safe
nd And when her son, lad Of seventeen, v
ir. brought home wounded from Springtie
on Washington's first care in the morning v
m. 10 INQUIRE after the sufferer.
ed Judge Ford was eighty years of age at
err time of my visit, lie was well-formed a
lp- erect in person, about fye feet ten incl
Ith in stature with his facultie parently !
Ith at all impaired by age. His memory
dates, names and events was renarkah