The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-11
4 NOBLE TRIBUTE.


a letter from her brother, Joseph Ball,
IN England, telling her that she had bet
ter make her son apprentice TO tinker
than send him to sea. This decided the
doubtful mother and the reluctant boy
obeyed But for this incident the name
OF Washington might have been asso
ciated with the naval triumphs OF that
flag which has ''hraved a thousand years
the battle and the breeze but whae
would have been the history OF America
How true II is that there is nothing INV
tal In the concerns OF man ,x
Another trial came when the ie'e'
and Indian war broke out III 100 anu
Washington was about to go with zen
eraI Rraddock on his disastrous expedi-
ton. So opposed was Mrs. Washington
10 this that she visited Mount vernon
and urged him TO forego his plans but
he was now a man. with man Iespon-
sibility, and when he said TO her that ms
country and his sense OF duty ailBe oe-
manded that he should not shrink from
the undertaking. and reminded her that
the God TO whom she mad conlmlt'eu
him had heretofore protected him from
harm. II was the mother VINO resisheu
her wishes TO her son.
The search-lights Of history have I'M
folded to us nothing Of interest touching
Mrs Washington from the time OF the
French and Indian war until the awaken
ing O. the great revolution. Fortunate
is the woman. said the Greek OF old. OF
whom neither good nor i'll Is spoken
And, curtained away from the world
the matron lived under the great Task
masters eye. in the bosom OF that home
by whose fruit We shall know her. Forty
years had rolled by since she settled al
Pine Grove. with the infant George. just
~ And while she 0elNeQ
and spun in silence. how had great
events rushed forward; how had the child
become the father 10 the man Grave
tasks were his while yet n boy. step by
step he assembled the ladder OF honor ana
usefulness A surveyor for Lord Falr-
fax al sixteen: crossing the Blue iudge
on horseback: traversng the wilderness
10 the bounds OF civilization, getting SIX
pistols or something more than ~ uay
for his Efficient service. while In leisure
hours he read the History Of England,
and the Spectator. and books OF that
high order; appointed public surveyor a
little later. and then adjutant general
of the Virginia troops at nineteen, man
aging the great plantation and training
the militia Of the State; at twenty-one
penetrating the Northwest as a negotia-
tor for Governor Dinwiddie. and fighting
the French; aid-de-camp to Braddock
a little later. in his ill-starred expedi-
ton. suffering defeat; with the victor
at Fort Dupuesne. where Pittsburg now
stands at twenty-six; and member OF
The Virginia House of Burgesses at
twenty-soven-a and then ever onward. ever
upward. until as the great revolution
broke out. we find him iourneying 10
Philadelphia as a delegate 10 the Cont
mental Congress. and presently appearing
on the field Of Boston as commander-in-
chief Of the Continental army.
PrNovFD PR HOMF.
Now. at General Washngtons desire.
Mrs. Washington removed TO Fredericks-
burg. and occupied the house which still
stands at the corner of Charles and
Lewis streets in this town. Near by was
the Kenmore House, the home Of her
daughter Betty. the wife of its propIie-
tor. Colonel Fielding Lewis. and she was
urged to make that her home. But the
independent matron declared. with thanks.
"My wants are few IN this life and |
feel perfectly competent to take care
OF myself" Hers was a familiar form
I'm Fredericksburg during the revolution.
and its people showed her every respect
as she walked the streets leaning on her
cane. often might she be seen driving
the old-fashloned two-wheel chaise TO
or from the Stafford Farm. where she
still directed those who titled II. Devout
and wOrshipful she appeared every Sab
bath a church at the appointed hour,
and while the armies under her son were
struggling for our freedom the knitting
needles were busily piled and from her
home went forth her modest contribu-
lions of supplies for him and his sol
diers. A favorte resort OF hers. some
times called "Oratory Rock" was a Sc
Guided spot sheltered by climbing vines
from observation on Colonel Lewis es-
tate. where she frequently retired alone
for meditation and devotion; a spot near
this place of burial which she herself |
selected
When the news Of the victories Of Tren- |
ton and Princeton On that ten days cam |
paign which Frederick the Great called |
the most brilliant in military annals) |
came to Fredericksburg, friends gathered |
around her with congratulations upon the |
great achievements Of her son. She simp- |
ly said she knew George would deserve |
well of his country; and when paragraphs |
OF letters were read i'm which his skill and |
bravery were appauded. she said: Gen |
tlemen. here is too much fiattery: stin. |
George will not forget the lessons have |
taught him; he will not forget himself. |
though he is the object OF so much |
praise"
mat WAS Il great Udy Wntn lnt NEWS
came TO Fredericksburg-"Cor has |
surrendered" With red spurs rode the |
couriers that carried the glad tidings, and |
the hearts of the people leaped with JOY. i
Thank God the war is ended and we |
shall be blessed with peace. happiness. |
and independence for the country is
free" was her exclamation when told Of |
the great event
Yes on the 18th OF October 1881. twenty |
eight British captains had stepped forth |
from the lines and surrendered as many |
colors 10 the ragged Contnentals. With |
instructive magnanimity the conquerors |
gave a banquet to their captive officers |
and Washington saluted CORVALLIS with |
n toast 20 the British army. Thus the |
brave honor the brave. Affairs az York |
town settled he turned his face north |
ward 10 the seat OF government then at |
Philadelphia and on tho 1lth Of November |
he arrived here. attended by a brilliant |
retinue of French and American officers.
srNr WORD To HIS MOTHIR.
No sooner had he reached the town |
than ne sent word TO his mother OF his ar
rival and desired TO know when IL would |
be her pleasure to receive him. She LAID |
aside her household cares to meet AT the |
door with warm embrace the son |
whom she hid not seen for seven years
She inquired about his health. remarked on
on the Tines Of care that time had graved
y L. t.I1r