The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-27

aproned nurse. II is a. picture to
make the heart sing with glad
ness. II seems more like an ideal
than Z reality. But, grant it real. 1t is no
more than Just compensation Tor the
clanmy chills Of the three months Just
passed. Amid such scenes there came to
"a. quite recently, a Whispering OF Mt
Vernon. For such mildnsss and loneliness
~ had been waiting. To think was to act.
The early morning found us on board a
.teamer intent upon visiting the home and
tomb OF The immortal Warrington. We
were not surprised to find that many otne1s
vsro on q like mission bent. Tho deck was
gay with ribbons and flowers, the inevitable
harper and ~vioiinist were in their usual
place, sweet strains of music mingled WIFE
the noises of the streets and the murmur OF
human voices, while over all, like a bene-
diction, fioated our nations flag. At ~
O'Clock We steamed out into the river anu
began q pilgrimage which must ever re-
main memorable. BY some this journey 10
made because no one is expected to visit
tho capital and omit it.
Some look upon it as a pleasure excur-
sion no more sentimental in character than
any ordinary picnic jaunt. But there are
many to whom every hill speaks of sacred
associations of the past. Our company sp-
pearei as composite rs any we have ever
seen, except that it lacked the bride and the
infant in arms. Living in Warrington one
soon comes to look for the bride with a.
muck certainty as he looks for his break-
fast. She 10 everywhere, in the capitol, on
the street, at the hotel, firound visiting the
departments, and always arrayed IN the
costume which says. 'tbehold the bride!'
We might pause here to whisper words OF
only wait, but there is time for but one suR-
uest;in. Don't sweep the floors of public
buildings and the streets of even 80 tidy a
city as Washington, with your dainty dove
coiored draperies. The woman with the
note boob IVA vas ,o mere \, et .he 9 nano an1aous oy
making a note of that which she
fears to trust to memory. The old soldier
was there, a good, staunch republican from
the fertile plains of southern Kansas. In
Z December, helpless from rheumatism, he
left his home for the healing influence of
the hot springs of Arkansas. As soon as he
recovered the use of his limbs he went to
Florida to spend the remainder OF the
winter, and now, bent and crippled, but
he was visiting Washington on his way
home..
AS we passed the arsenal and looked upon
a 'skirmish'' drill ''ah,'' said he, Il know
iii that means in real action. But then
We preferred thatto the march. The marct
was the hardest experience of army life
Many a soldier, exhausted by the long
march, fell out of line and was left to per
ish. and to-day they lie by the aside OF man.
q Virginia road. Yes, an eloquent orator wen
out among the people and lighted the ire
of patriotism. but those fires dimmed whel
gN <bo man emma IN thA 'front.'. fSH. l. too
used to have plenty Of patriotism, but l OK
changed the most of it for rheumatism.
He spoke of the klndness of people to him
The porter ON the train had been especial!
tender. The crew on the boat that brough
him up from the south were a very kind
hearted lot of men. In spite of his misfor
tune the world seemed bright and the hear
of humanity large. The secret is all in hi
own spirit. Thu world is mirroring back t
him the kindliness and gentleness it ace
lures of that trip Oh the Potomac is tn
memory of the old soldier who shed bright
ness all about his path.
just below the city the river unites will
its eastern branch and broadens until
family suggests the mighty Columbia O
the west. But oh, how dirty it is! Liqui
mud of a dark amber tint which tn
rays Of the sun strive in val
to pierce. The shadow of GU
smoke, trailing along on the sur
face of the water, waved and rippled wit
the swell from the steamer. Wnitewinge'
fishing vessels rocked on the swelling It'd
and unpretentious steamers passed us no,
and then as they journeyed up the river
The charms of acenery, however, were nc
af1oat, but anchored to the everlasting hill
of Maryland and Virginia. These, low an
green in the foreground, rose to more loft
heights az they vani8hed in the misty blu
OF distance. The first stop was made &
Alexandria, a city which at one time rivalle
Baltimore in commercial prosperity, but
now of no importance to the general publ
aside flom its historic associations. He!
Washington cast his FIRST and last ballo
here he worshlpped aud here he identlti
himself with the Masonic order. Here.
10 said. Washington would have located Il
national capital had be not feared he wou
be charged with partiallty to the believe
soil of Virginia. The first mo
made by the army of the Potomac "
from Washington to Alexandria,, al
here fell the gallant Ellswor
i'll the very beginning of the national stru
gle. Further down the river and on t
mainland side lie two forts-Foote III
p" Washington. Tn latter was renewed
recent years Mt Il cost of one half a millit
dollars and is by far the most warllke stru
tnre we have ever Heen. This fort is twel
miles from Washington, but the Nigh
dome of the capitol is yet visibls VIII
Washington monument is seen clearly OF
lined on the northern sky. 1t is no wond
that the Indian visiting the tomb of t
Great Father admired this polished sh,
and declared his belief that it was built
the great spirit. Soon after leaving Fl
Washington we saw the stars and stril
floating from Il distant western hilltop q
knew, instinctively, that we were approat
Ing a sacred spot. As our steam
drew near the landing place
noted the beauty Of the situate
A lofty hill sort of promont'
pushed its rounded slope out into the brt
river. Nature has done much and art lii
30 rende the place attractive. The slo
support many q form OF graceful tree
shrnb, while the summit is Drowned "
tho white walls Of the mansion and it's
companyiGg cottages. We landed, ascsn'
the hill, and soon stood before u pl,
brick structure, open in front, the open
guarded by iron bars. All il quiet. mod
simple, peaceful. Within ..e two maj
sarcophaRi. In one rests the mortal
mains Of George Washington, in the otl
-g--Ur