Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-02-21
.ught sight OF the stranger.

CauSnu SlSHC OF Cno Stranger.
Madam, let me explain" smiled the
fellow. while am in the disguise of
tramp it is for purpose. am George
Washington. shall call your husband
Sam, and he will call ne George or
George. Your given name isis
Hammer"
81 will call you Han fur short. | hate
formality. Now, then, Han, fly around
and git up good dinner while tell Sam
how crossed the Delaware and licked
the British. Although great man, git
hungry same as other foll,s, and nothin
pleases me more than square meal"
The wife wasn't as easily satisfied as
the husband She winked him out into
the kitchen and shut the door and said:
Samuel how dye know he's George
Washington
"'Cause ho-Fays he is"
'But he looks jest like tie rest of the
tramps that cum along"
"That's cause he is in disguise. If he
amt George Washington, why would he
lie about it? 'Tain't likely a feller would
cum along and lie about Lis own name,
10 it?'----s-@--.-s- z=s.-a
'It don't seem So"
Mrs. Simmons put on dinner which
made Washington smile like a June
morning, and he did ample justice to it.
In fact, his appetite was amazing. When
he could eat no more, he borrowed pipe
and tobacco of the farmer and stretched
out on the lounge for smoke. He knew
the weak points in the characters of the
pair, and he praised and fattered and in
vited himself to supper. After supper
he decided to stay all night, and for two
long hours that evening he entertained
the farmer and his wife with his adven-
lures while crossing the Delaware and
various other rivers and things. After
breakfast next morning he still fingered.
His heels were under the table at dinner
and again at supper. After supper he
said he was so comfortable that he
thought he'd stay for week. While the
farmer and his wife believed him to be
George Washington right enough, they
didn't propose to board even the Father
of his Countrya whole week for nothing.
They withdrew to the kitchen for con-
sultation, and fortunately neighbor
named Snow happened to drop in to bor-
row some tool. The question was asked
him if George Washington was dead and
between his surprise and nerriment it
was half an hour before he learned all
the facts in the case. Then be said:
''It is sharp old tramp who has been
playing you. Go right in and drag him
off the lounge and boat him outdoors"
"Durn his hind buttons, but I'll break
him in four piecesr' shouted Simmons
as he realized the imposition.
''And think of his callin me Han and
sayin | seemed as nigh to him as sis
terri walled the wife as she fell to weep
ing.
Farmer Simmons grabbed hickory
stick from the woodbox and made rush
for the sitting room. George Washing
ton wasn't there any longer. He wasn't
even in the house. He had not only van
ished, but an overcoat, suit of clothes
and several articles Of jewelry had van
ished with him and were a mile away
and going at a gallop. "George" had
been in a hurry to go. but he didn't forget
what belonged to good manners. He had
left his card on the table, and on it was
written:
G. WASH, patriot and faith. of his country
& SO forth has reed a telegram to hast. his de-
part. Thanks, awfully. Will call again next
birthday. Them fried chickens was gaul-
burned good!
Farmer Simmons pursued the crosser
of the Delaware, but could not overhaul
him. When the story got out and the
neighbors began to laugh, he tried to
crawl out of it by saying:
''That jest shows ye what I've allus
said and will allus stick to-that eddeca-
shun is all bosh. If hadn't bin SO