The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26
washington's Boy hood.

About this time of year the boys and
girls OF America are thinking great
deal about George Washington. and in
their minds there are three predominant
ing facts. The first fact is that he is
said never 10 have told lie. The second
is that he was the Father of his Coun-
try, and the third IS that his birthday
is a national holiday. If we revered
the memory of the man for nothing
else, he certainly would be endeared
to the hearts OF the youth Of the land
because, through his kindly act in be-
ing born on the 22d day Of February,
they have day out Of school 10 devote
TO skating. sliding down hill or making
paper dolls.
OF Washington as n boy not very much
IS known, but that which has come down
TO US is interesting whether obviously
true or possibly false.
There has been a good deal Of doubt
cast upon the story OF the cherry tree
incident by historians Of late years. and
investigation Of the stOry's origin seems
to attribute IL TO the unsupported tes-
timony of a curious creature named
Weems, who was combination OF min
lister, author. and book agent. There APP
pears 10 be a general belief that Weens'
character was more OF the style peculiar
10 the book agent than to the minister.
and that as an author he wrote things
that he could sell as a book agent rather
than the things he would care 20 utter
as truth from the pulpit. Consequently
the later historians argue that the
cherry tree episode was more likely TO
have taken place In Weems' Imagination
than In the garden of WashingtOn's
father. although they cannot deny that
as a parable the story Is an undoubted
success. There can be no doubt that
~ WaGhfnpfOu had had a Ratchet his
adventurous spirit would have led him
into cutting down with 1t the biggest
cherry or other tree he could find, and
this being the biggest tree. II Is reason
able 10 suppose that II was his fathers
favorite. Ii is one Of our national char
acteristics 10 be proud Of our big things.
and while al that period we did not exist
as a nation. there must have been in
Augustine Washington. the grandfather
OF his country. those traits which we
have Inherited AS for the candid ac-
acknowledgement OF the lad. according TO
Weems' story that he was the cuprit,
that was certainly characteristic OF the
youthful George. so that true or untrue,
the story is a good one. a beautiful one,
and In a sense truthful. since IL illus
trates the character OF his hero and the
spirit which prompts the writer's Of to-
day TO advocate its elimination from
history is not altogether 10 be applauded.
History should always be read with a
grain OF salt. just as fiction. to be Of
value must be seasoned with a grain
OF truth, so that al the worst Weems'
fiction or fact can do little harm.
The date Of Washingtons birth, ac-
cording to the calendars OF that time.
was February IL. 1872. and the place was
Bridges Creek. Va. He was the first son
OF his fathers second marriage His
mother was. before her marriage to Au-
gustine Washington, a Mary Ball, and
IL is 10 her influence. rather than to
that Of his father. that the coming man
OF America owed his sturdlness Of char
acter. loftiness and tenacity OF purpose.
From the first his career was more or
less eventful. There can be no doubt that
as a baby he was all that a baby should
be, full Of laughter over serious things.
and ready TO weep grievously over the un-
important things OF life. At the age Of
three ne had his first experience with that
most terrible and destructive element,
fire. The house in which he was born.
a farm house OF the most ordinary type,
wooden, with four rooms on the ground
floor, an attic and huge brick chimney.
was burned 10 the ground. a sight which.
in all probability. filled his little soul
with glee since he was not old enough
to understand that disaster had over
taken his home. II is perhaps due TO
this fire that the museums OF the world
are not stocked up to-day with broken
toys and threadbare bibs played with
and worn by the Father OF his Country
In his infancy.
This episode resulted in the removal
Of the infant George and his family to
another locality in Stafford county Va,
not far from the banks OF the Kappa
hammock, and near to the village Of Fred
ericksbuprg, where one hundred and
twenty-seven years later the Union army
was repulsed by the Confederate forces.
Here was passed the boyhood OF Washing
ton; here was his character formed; here
was laid the foundation OF sturdy hon
esty that In after years carried him to
the fore. and made him the deserving
recipient Of the tribute implied In the
lines IN the resolutions passed by Con-
grsss e his death: First In peace, nrst
IN was. Hrst In the hearts q his country
nsa."
ysea vAxA ~ 81 gather. wsshins-