Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-04-06
wAsHlNGTON'S BIRTHDAY.

Some OF the Early History Of the Father
of His COuntry"-His Rules for Con-
duct.
As holidays come around with each
circling year, the young people of the
household naturally hail their return,
and ten to one they will either ask
questions or make characteristic obser-
vations showing the interest they feel,
and perhaps showing also a desire to
know more of their import than they
quite understand Children learn in
stinctively the general meaning of
Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Memorial day and the Fourth of July
also explain themselves. And when
Washington's birthday comes. we feel
quite sure that nearly all school chill
dren or members of respectable fami-
lies among the young people under
stand what the anniversary means.
school histories acquaint the youth
full students with the facts of George
Washingtons having commanded the
army during the revolutionary war, of
his having been the first president of
the United States, serving two terms of
four years each. They also learn of his
being called the father of his country,
and perhaps few other facts concern
ing him.
But for details Of personal character
and habits, other books than the his
tories used in school must be perused.
There are many volumes on the life of
Washington to be found on the pub
lisher's shelves, and what a capital
birthday present one of these instruc-
tive, entertaining books would be for
Tommy or Susie as soon as they are old
enough to read intelligently for them
selves. 1t will be worth while for the
boys to know that when a vigorous lad
offourteen George Washington had de-
cided to go TO sea, but as this was after
ward not thought best, he became a
land-surveyor when but fifteen years OF
age. There was no long course OF
school attendance in those days, no idle
dalliance around the paternal home
stead once the studies, which in Wash
ington's case had been under the best
ended. 1t was not many years before
the French war claimed his attention,
and in it he enlisted his services. One
pleasing history of the great man tells
us that 1.-THE reputation of Washington
as a military commander was made be-
fore he was twenty-six years old.
And in this connection it is added that
it was interesting to know that from
the very beginning of our national life
as an independent people, its fortunes
have been entrusted to the foresight,
promptness courage, decision and judg-
ment of young men"
Then the girls will be interested to
know that amidst all the turmoil and
anxieties, the possibilities the vic
tories and the fame of his illustrious
career, George Washington was dear
lover of home, its peace. its sacred rela-
tionships and all its varied attractions.
1t is said that his love Of home would lin
the midst of his campaigns peep out
sometimes in a curious way as one reads
his letters" He once with evident sat
isfaction wrote from his beloved home
at Mount Vernon: II am now, believe,
fixed here with an agreeable partner
for life. ] find more happiness in re-
tirement than | ever experienced in the
wide and bustling world" Yet after
this came the revolution in which he
became commander-in-chief of our
armies, and after that came eight wears
OF service as chief magistrate of the
nation.
1t would be well if every young man
and maiden in our country would read
and adopt as their own certain RULES
for Conduct" found in one of Washing
toms notebooks. They were fifty
seven in number, a few of which we
will give, abridging some of the longer
ones:
Every action in company ought to
be with some sign of respect to those
present.
let your countenance be pleasant
but in serious matters somewhat
grave
BE no fatterer."
Wherein you reprove another be un-
blamable yourself, for example is more
prevalent than precepts."
BE not hasty to believe flying re-
ports TO the disparagement of any
Think before you speak"
Make no comparisons.
Undertake not what you can't per-
form. but be careful to keep your
promises.
a secret discover not"
Speak not evil Of the absent, for 4
is unjust
when you speak Of God Or Ills at
tributes, Jet it be seriously IN rever-
ence. Honor and obey your natural
parents, although they be poor
Let your recreations be manful not
sinful"
Labor to keep alive in your breast
that little spark Of celestial fire called
conscience.
win the time never come when these
~ akindred rules viii cease to be Of
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