Arizona republican., 1892-02-21
THE OLD HOUSE IN BLOOMFIELD.

THE OLD HOUSE IN BLOOMFIELD.
 It was Rip Van Wrinkle amid the gen eration that had grown up since he fell asleep. l felt that the decrepit old structure must have history, and the answer to my inquiry confirmed the thought that had come to me in some mysterious way
 "lt doesn't look now as if it ever had that honor, does itg' asked my infor mant
 l had to confess that 1t did not. l could easily imagine that it might have sheltered ghosts or that a witch may have once made it her home. could almost fancy that l saw her lean and whitened visage peering through the narrow doriner in the middle of the long, moss covered roof, or her thin, bony hand thrust through one of the windows on either side of the old weather beaten porch.
 But there was nothing about it but the two tall naples in front that sug- gested the dignity and stateliness that the American always couples with the name of Washington. It was low, only a single story in height, and from where stood, beyond the old trees it looked small and cramped.
 No, sir; the house is not so small as you think 1t has frontage of nearly fifty feet, and its depth is fully thirty There is, besides, an annex on the west side in the rear twenty feet square. The roof used to cover big families in those IyN1 n11 xtrln xl,s gladdened and sometimes saddened the hearts of the pioneers. There are a good many children shouting and screaming in the yard and on the walk now, but they belong to the three fam ilies that now live in the house
 "ln the days of the Revolution it was one of the finest residences in this part of the country, True enough, there were not at that time many houses in Bloomfeld-not more than score--but most of them were of logs. This is, however, of stone, as you see; and if you look at it closely you will see also that the stone in front and on the north side toward the street are cut and laid in courses those on the other two sides are rough and laid without any regular ity. The wide hallway that runs from the front entrance to the rear still re- tains marks of it's ancient glory, The castings and wide window seats in the two rooms on each side of the hall are not without marks of luxury that was unusual in farmhouse century ago.
 "The old fireplaces with their man. tels, that have been removed to make room for the tenants that now crowd it, would have brought joy to the heart of the Colonial housebuilder could they have been transferred in their primitive size and beauty to his hall and library. The eight or nine rooms mp stairs are not large, it is true, but they are not smaller than those of Washington's mansion at Mount Vernon The annex in the rear is not elegant; but dare say it was as convenient and useful to its Colonial owners as the old kitchen on the Potomac Like the main part of the house itself, this part has been cut up and changed a good deal to suit the needs of tenants Were Washington to return 1 fear that he would recognize but little that mer his eyes when Mir Cadmus, who then owned it. welcomed him to his fireside,"
 Even had the old house been as dilapi- dated as it is now, do not think that Washington would have regarded it as an unwelcome shelter, However par. ticular he may have been about his sur roundings after he laid down his sword, he was not able to give much thought tn att of tCif tT, field toward the close of 1776 Never during his life was his mind and body more severely taxed. "Such is my situ ation," he said, "that if 1 were to wish the bitterest curse to an enemy on this side of the grave, should put him in my stead with my feelings"
 1t was at this time" continued my informant, "that Washington stopped at the old storehouse in Bloomfield. Fix hausted from hard days riding direct ing the retreat of his little army, he rode up to an old succeed house that now stands on Franklin street, near the cen. ter of the village. Here he hoped to find food and fire and rest for the night. But he was disappointed; the house was already occupied by General Green and ais staff Although some of the subor- lnate officers offered to withdraw and thus make room for him, he refused to accept their self sacrifice.
 Continuing along the road to the west he came to the old stone house. The family had eagerly espoused the cause of the patriots on the outbreak of the war; Gladly therefore did they well come the stalwart officer that sought