The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-02-18

was Mount vernon, beautl1ul roman
tic site in Fairfax county, Va, on the
right bank of the Potomac, and within
fifteen miles of Washington, d. G.
1t was place of no historic interest
on this charming afternoon, when a
youthful Notwithstanding one horse
and leading another-cantered up the
avenue of one of the groves which
were frequent there in those days. The
sumpter horse carried a lady's side
saddle and was high-spirited animal.
STEADY there, Queen Bess! Whoa,
you jade! Mistress Lydia, is it your
pleasure to ride with me? | do beseech
you to honor me with your company
for gallop this afternoon. Peace,
Bess, or will larrup you, girl. Mis-
tress Lydia, will you have me for a
gallant to command me at your sweet
will?"
AS there was no other person in sight
except this overgrown youth in the
stately hunting suit of the day, this
monologue was in the nature of a per-
sonal confession. Great then were the
surprise and chagrin of the rider, when
a merry, mocking laugh smote his ear,
and youth, in knickerbockers and a
roundabout, jumped up under the very
heels of the horses.
Marry now, sweet Mistress Lydia,
will you ride with me, or may l ride
with you, or will you ride along at
your own sweet will, ha! ha! no! ho!"
The rascal lodged a blow which
would not have hurt him had it fallen,
and laughed wiclSedly at the discom-
future of the youthful equestrian. Then,
shifting from one foot to the other, he
said:
Marry, good sir, if it be my sister,
Lydia Gerrish, you would ask to ride
with you, she is watching you now
from the turret window yon. If you
promise to tell no tales, 1 will run and
speak her fair, but tell her not made
free with her name, for the wench has
temper"
go, boy-get you gone-and if she
will ride Queen Bess she will be car
ried as fair as though she sat in chaise
with four horses and outriders."
"Oh no, my sister Lydia rides the
roam colt that my father dare not
mount for his life. And she has
habit that came from England in three
ships, and is finer than soldiers coat
on parade day"
Speak fair for me, Oscar, and you
shall have one Of my deer-hound pups
from the litter of Lady Alice; it has
royal pedigree.
Laughing and chatting the boy ran off,
and soon after appeared at the door of
the large manor house beyond the
grove. BY his motions and grimaces
the young rider understood himself to
be welcome.
"You are to come in and sit in the
lrawing-room, he said, as the youth
dismounted at the horse block; "Cisco
is to hold your horses, and will my
self bestride them in turn by your
leave"
The lad vaulted into the saddle Just
vacated, as waiting maid stood at the
door and with low courtesy en-
quired:
Your name, good sir?"
George Washington" stammered
the youth, 'and have come to see
Mistress Lydia Gerrish if it be she will
grant me audience.
The little maid showed him into the
old colonial parlor, and ran to her
mistress quite out of breath.
'oh, Mistress Lydia, such a hobble-
de-Eoy, yet with IL noble presence with
al-and he comes on horse back with
second horse saddled for lady-te-he-
her"
'"Cush, girl, hold your peace, and
fasten my bracelet George Washing
ton? MethinlSs lie is rather too young
to be calling on grown-up ladies.
But he is fine lad and l will see
him for my mothers sake. She and
my mother were friends frt-l their
youth up"
When she appeared in the ptrlor she
bowed low with mock humi ity, but
the youth standing before her shook as
with an ague attack, while he made
known his errund.
She was very handsome, with saucy
dimples that just twinkled with mirth
and mischief, and she did not help her
bashful admin 'r in his stammering re-
eitaL and was quite astonished npnar-