Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18

island another great scow is in waiting, to
take the President and his party a<ross the
broader and swifter part OF the river.
The horses back little at the prospect.
board. But careful treatment soon soothes
their nerves and they are all safely On
board. In few minutes the northern bank
Is reached. The coach Is driven to the
shore from the scow, the harness is looked
to. the President responds to the greetings
Of the score Of citizens who have gathered
on the wharf to see him, and then the toll
some journey UP the High street Is begun.
The harness is not satisfactory and half
way up the horses become FESTIVE. The
President grows alarmed, but the careful
work Of his trusty servants soon effects
steadiness and the summit Of the hill is
reached in safety
Then the coach bowls along on the gentle
slope that carries the street downward to
the Rock creek There are no bridges. and
as the water is low the cavaloade will ford
the stream. The servants dismount and
give their horses to the President and his
companion. The negroes get astride two of
tne horses OF the coach. and In five minutes
the other bank Is reached without disaster
A band OF music breaks the silence as
soon as the President lands. His escort is
awaiting him on the east bank Of the Rock
Virginia, and of Maryland. together with
the Alexandria light infantry, and a band
OF music. They have been waiting for some
time. In a Few moments procession is
fresioents square. through an aisle Of
great trees that line the road on either side
Inc road Is level and smooth, and there is
w i5,ie ostay IN getting to the square within
Arrived there the President withdraws
Tor moment within the coach and unties
the bundle that he came 80 near to forget
I'm Sns; from It come the various articles Of
great care. When fully uniformed, he
emerges from the coach and is received
with honors. shortly to take up the march
70 the site of the great structure that Is
about to be erected
It is with difficulty that the details of
Washington's journey from his home to
Tor the year I7s6, which should throw a
great deal Of light upon the subject. is
missing. There is a story extant that this
Lear. together With some other psners that
contained some reflections upon Jefferson
sui this Is not generally believed. The
S H,ary, however. 70 missing, and 1t is only
py means OF illusions which the general
makes to the trip here and there in his
subsequent writings that the story of the
days journey can be told.
WAshfngton's presence in the neighbor-
hood at the time Of the ceremony was the
result OF q peculiar state Of affairs His
neadquarters, as President. were at Phila-
deiphia. but there was then raging in the
city OF brotherly love a fierce epidemic of
yellow fever. and every one that could
move had let the city. Congress was not
IN session and Washington's presence in
go he had come down to Mount Vernon at
the beginning OF the summer to spend hts
period of rest with his family on his plan
tation.
Had 1t not been for these facts II is
probable that the President would not have
been present at the laying Of the corner
stone His companion on the trip from
Mount Vernon was the Rev. Mr.. Muir OF
Washington.