Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-07-15

chair She loved cats and therefore
she disliked dogs; but bless her! the
dogs meant no evil-they were fright
ened nearly to death; all they wanted
was peace and quiet and they found
both under the long wide hand
somely valenced bed which occupied
fair share of the space in tho
chamber where Miss Praiseworthy
had sought refuge. And from this
grateful asylum neither the guileful
WEDDINGS OF Miss Praiseworthy nor
the vOciferous threats of the general
and his companions could induce them
to retire; they were wise in their gen
Grafton were those dogs, and they
know enough to let well enough
alone.
The Gusts younkits had n glorious
day OF it. Poor old Grandma WASH
ington tired herself nearly to death
trying to keep up with them but
along about noontime she contrivcd
to muster up enough spirit and
strength to spank her rash little
grandson right soundly for having
presumed to set fire to a turkey that
was proudly spreading his copious tail
in the cherry orchard. Then again.
later on, both children had to be
spanked because they wouldn't como
to their luncheon and weren't hungry
and cried and acted very naughty gen
orally. Poor old Uncle Gabriel fell
early in the action; hobbling around
after n pair OF lively children was toe
much for his rheumatic back and legs
so betimes he was packed off to the
negro quarters for rest and repairs.
Meanwhile up in the darkened
front spare chamber those dozen OF
fourteen hounds stretched themselves
moaning under that long. wide. hand
somely valenced bed. and Miss Praise
worthy ncrvously paced to and fro
peering ever and anon between the
drawn curtains to see whether any
body was killed or anything had
caught fire.
But the most exciting part of it all
happened later happened after din.
ner in the evening, when it was quite
dark. Squire Fairfax and his wife
came riding up on n pillioned bay
gelding and they staid to see the fire.
works
But who is TO explode themp'
asked Gen. Washington
Why you. of course!" answered
his wife. Il wouldn't trust anybody
else"
Gen. Washington knew little of the
task which was imposed upon him;
but he was too brave man to shirk
or llinch in the face of an imperative
duty.
ut was an inspiring sight" says
Par5on Weems in his famous biog-
raphy (page 234), land | account
myself privileged to have Witnessed
it Here did | behold the father of
his country. foremost among warriors
and statesmen OF his time. divest him.
self of his coat and waistcoat an d
neckerchicf his face aglow and beaded
with sweat hurrying hithor and
thither in preparation; giving orders
to this ono and to that affixing the
explosive engines and contrivances to
the trees and finally applying unto
Thorn with his own hands tho flames
whereby were produced those curious
revolutions and exceeding bright
lights and startling noises that did In
turn surprise please and terrify us
all, and which did in especial con-
tribute vastly unto the delcctation of
the children"
We can fancy that Gen. Washington
thoroughly enjoyed this exercise. for
he was good man and he sympa-
thized with the innocent exuberance
of the little ones True, particu.
larly profano pinwheel occasionally
singed his fingers and ever and anon
an irreverent Roman candle she'd
shining sparks upon his august neck
and down his dignitied back; more
over, it Worried him to hear Martha
continually bcseeching him to .be
careful and not to go too near the
fire and please to point the rookie is
away from the buildings. Then. too,
he did not enjoy the staccato female
shrek and the chorus of canine bowls
that were family waited from yonder
front spare chamber every time some
new pyrotechnical device was set off.
Yet Notwithstanding these few small.
worriting features Gen. Washington
was happy. He loved the children
and he. loved his country. and he
found pleasure in doing that which.
at the Same time. delighted tho former
and celebrated tho independence of
the other.
The display wound up with the dis
charge of an enormous pinwheel
which shot forth flames and sparks of
every conceivable color and shade
and finally burst with report so ter.
rife as to shake the cherries all off
their trees and set all the ROSTERS in
the neighborhood Growing. Oh. it
was charming, splendid, glorious,
An hour later Miss Praiseworthy
Washington crept down stairs from
the front spare chamber and impress
sively joined the others. who had
gathered in the large dining hall for
a sip of wine and luncheon on cakes
of Martha's own baking. Dr. Pres
ton had ingeniously repaired the host.
or, at least he had tenderly applied
to the generals scorched fingers, face,
neck and shoulders certain lotions
salves and plasters that would in due
time achieve healing results As he
sat there at the head OF the hospitable
table the father of his country looked
sadly peppered and battered. He had
removed his wig for that last vandal
pinwheel had scorched it seriously.
Yet General Washington was happy.
Il think" said he. that this kind of
jubllation will not find favor with the