New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-28

pslly Indians or scarcely less wild trappers squats
ters upon his lordship's domain. Washington had
been selected by the old nobleman because OF his
belief In the youths ability to cope with these ee-
ments, and the young surveyor left his home on the
banks OF the Potomac early In 174s just after the
completion Of his sixteenth year, his only companion
being George william Fairfax, nephew OF old Lori
Thomas. Whether these boys erected the bmlring
or found it already In place history does not STATE
but wellauthenticated tradition that they bt
themselves. That they used It for an office, Kept
their instruments there and slept in The upper room,
there is ample proof. "Greenway Court the homo
Of Lord Fairfax, about ten miles south OF this
little hut which Irving says I" not far from the
SHENANDOAH and about twelve miles from the pres
ent town Winchester. Here. during all the summer
OF l74a, when not actively engaged In the field, they
were busy with their Office work or in defining bounds
for the settlers Washington frequently wrote home
from here. and nearly all Of his letters contaneA
illusions to the droll habits OF the settlers. No
doubt often wished himself home or for an hours
chat with his "lowland beauty" Miss Grymes, OF
Wes,moreland County. who seemed to have pleased
his fancy at that time but duty Rept him In the
valley. Ills lowland beauty" evidently was not over
much struck with admirer who did not pay more
asslduos court than id the young surveyor, for she
married and became the mother OF Light Horse"
Harry Lee, Of Revolutionary fame. Washington
however seemed to have recovered from this blow
quickly and his boyish fancies soon gave way TO
manly deeds.
I'm after years when. confronted BY the British or
that greater enemy int, rnal dlssension he held the
fate Of young nation in the hollow Of his hand. no
doubt his thoughts often went back to the little hut
IN the valley Of Virginia. and lie wished himself
there again under the shadow OF the great blue
mountains where he could breathe the fresh. perfume
laden air drink the cool. clear water that g'Ished
from the rock the door. and be free from dis
content and strife. The old hut has in the memory
of the present generation. done duty as milk house
for farmers or the dense copsc OF trees which
elm remains. a hill not far away is "Soldcr's
Rest another log cabinitsclf OF historic interest
also for In II lived Daniel Morgan the rough teamster
who aferward b,came Washington's right hand In the
War for independence Morgan. the hero OF Quebec
and Saratoga, and the man who destroyed Erlcton
al the COwpens and checked TIN, tide OF british VIC
tories. Morgan II conspicuous figure IN all the
rough and tumble fights that CAV" the littlc town
OF Bcrryvillc the name OF latflctown. by which 10
known for 100 years. and after .he,e encounters
he would go and sit on In" rocks down by the old
Washington cabin while his wife would battle his
bruised and cut head I'm the cooling waters OF the
spring. and bind up his bloody wounds.
II seems almost pity that this old cabin should
h. allowed 70 crumble away In the Virginia pastur"
field where Il has stood for AS years. The great
elm tree looks il II good for thousand wears
vet while the rock and the spring will be there
for evermore hut sun and wind and rain hav" mad.
sad ravagcs In the hut that sheltered the Youthful
Washington. The present owner OF the cabin l. e.
O. Gaines, OF Derry vile.