Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-02-18


was Mount Vernon, beautiful roman
tic site in Fairfax county, Va, on the
right bank of the Potomac, and within
fifteen miles OF Washington, d. c.
1t was place of no historic interest
on this charming afternoon. when
youthful misunderstanding one horse
and leading another-cautered up the
avenue of one of the groves which
were frequent there in those days. The
sumpter horse carried q 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? I do beseech
you to honor me with your company
for gallop this afternoon. Peace,
Bess, or l will larrup you, girl. Mis-
tress Lydia, will you have ME for
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 per-
sonal confession. Great then were the
surprise and chagrin of the rider, when
merry, moclsing laugh smote his car,
and youth, in knickerboclsers and a
roundabout, jumped up under the very
heels of the horses.
Marry now, sweet Mistress Lydia,
will you ride with me, or may | ride
with you, or will you ride along at
your own sweet will, ha! ha! ho! ho!"
The rascal lodged blow which
would not have hurt him had it fallen,
and laughed wickcdly 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 Gcrrish. you would ask to ride
with you, she is watching you now
from the turret window yon. If you
promise to tell 10 tales, will run and
speak her fair, but tell her not made
free with her name, for the wench has
a 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 Il chaise
with four horses and outridcrs.'
''Oh ho, my sister Lydia rides the
roam colt that my father dare not
mount for his life. And she has a
habit that came from England in three
chips, and is finer than soldiers coat
on parade day."
''Speak fair for me, Oscar, and you
shall have one of my deer-hound pups
irom the litter of Lady Alice; it has a
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
drawing-room, he said, as the youth
dismounted at the horse block; "Cisco
is to hold your horses, and l will my
self bestride them in turn by your
leave"
The lad vaulted into tho saddle just
vacated, as waiting maid stood at the
door and with q 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 u hobble-
de-hoy. yet with a noble presence with
al-and he comes on horse back with a
second horse saddled for lady-te-he-
he!"
''Tush, girl, hold your peace, and
fasten my bracelet George Washing