Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-02-19
Children Cry for
Pitchers Castoria.
WASHINGTc+S WOOING.

He Was Signing al Lorn. But Difhdent
and U.s> ssccessfal.
Strange that cne SO persistent and
successful as statesman, patriot and
warrior should have been SO difidens
and unsuccessful as a wooer. In the
latter capacity we catch a glimpse of
the man in an entirely different char
acter from that presented by the faith
full parents and historians to the rising
genera tions First, the little child is
told with telling emphasis that
George" never told lie, and the cred
ulous yOungster opens his eyes and tries
to swallow the statement. Why do
they not tell him instead that
George" never saw a lucifer match,
steam engine, electric light or tele-
phone? They could com prehend this and
still keep faith in what their elders say.
Some people ever go so far as to say
that be never swore but once. We hope
this is so. but woefully doubt it; how
ever, this has nothing to do with wash
ington as wooer." He figured first in
this capacity at the mature (P) age of
sixteen, the object of his affections being
Miss Grimes. known in history as
"Washington's Lowland Beauty" He
o1S ulliS dHu lOi IL, Ou ~ w. on CoohA -
Again and again he tried to speak. tried
to pour out his heart to this beau
teous damsel, but each time, panic
stricken, he failed. And she? Well,
she married the man who did ask her,
and he CHANGED to be named Lee in
stead of Washington. According to
tradition she became the mother OF
Henry Lee Light Horse Harrv). who
was the man finally chosen by Congress
to deliver the Grafton at Washington S
funeral. Henry Lees daughter-the
Lowland Beautys granddaughter-in
due time became the wife of Martha
Washingtons son. Truth is stranger
than fiction" The youth mourned long
for his lost love. doubtless spending
hours in futile self-accusa ton.
But by and by sly Cupid twanged his
bow-sJring, and away sped another arrow
straight into the barely-healed heart.
and George became a victim to the
charms of beautiful New York belle
who resided with her brother. Here
again he became deeply enamored, and,
as the years had somewhat effaced his
diffidence, there seemed naught to in
terrupt the flow Of true love; but, alas
her brother was a Tory, and she sided
| with him. 1t need have made nc
difference to the young lover,
but it did; and for the sake Of
principle (Which was dearer to this
man than life or love- he babe
the fair woman farewell and turned
away. Again he mourned a ruined
hope, again he sighed DER a faded
dream: but not for long. Those were
days to Stir the blood and rouse mer
from the selfish contemplation of theil
own woes. Life rolled on.
One day when riding across the coun
try on horseback he CHANGED to pause a
| the house of friend. The latter in
vited him to tarry for dinner. Wash
| ington refused, on plea of the urgency
! of his business; but, as the invita- tioI
was pressed, he yielded and dismounted
and then and there he met his fate
| in the person of blushing, winsomt
Martha CustiS. WAS ever widow 81
divinely fair?" thought the smitteI
patriot, and then forgot business, for
| got every thing but the new-foun1 Joy
! A genuine case of love at sight i
proved, maturing and ripening rapidly
until, when he continued his way The
next day, there was no doubt in tht
mind of either but that Providence ha(
ordered it thus.
They were married soon after, posi-
bly, any undue haste being the result o
Georges" fear OF another slip 'twiX
| the cup and the p.'-Milwaullee Wis
| cCuSiu