Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-02-16

was Mount Vernon, a 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 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 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 a gauop 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
monoiogue was in the nature of per-
sonal confession. Great then were the
surprise and chagrin of the rider, when
a merry, hooking laugh smote his ear,
and a youth, in knickerbockers and a
roundabout, jumped up under the very
heels of the horses.
Marry now. sweet Mistress Lydia,
win you ride with me, or may I ride
with you, or will you ride along at
your own sweet will, ha! ha! no! hop
The rascal lodged blow which
would not have hurt him had it fallen,
and laughed wickedly at the discom-
future of the youthful equestrian. sThen,
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, will run and
speak her fair, but tell her not 1 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 a 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 a
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 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.
s'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 Twill my
self bestride them in turn by your
leave"
The lad vaulted into the saddle just
vacated, as a waiting maid stood at the
door and with low courtesy en-.
.quired:
Your name, good sir?"
George Washington" stammereo
the youth, land / 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 hel
mistress quite out of breath.
ssOh, Mistress Lydia, such a hobble
de-hoy, yet with noble presence with
al-and he comes on horse back with {
second horse saddled for lady-te-he
hei'
flush, girl, hold your peace, anG
fasten my bracelet. George Washing
ton? Methinks he is rather too young
to be calling on grown-up ladies
But he is fine lad and / viii SCI
hin for my mothers sake. She anG
nv mother were friends from theil
youth up"
When she appeared in the parlor she
bowed low with mock humility, bu
the youth standing before her shook a,
with an ague attack, while he made
known his errand.
She was very handsome, with sauc,
dimples that just twinkled with mirtl
and mischief, and she did not help he
bashfril admirer in his stammering re
cital, and was quite estonished appar