The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-07-06

I a slight twist or compression OF the lips
that is now observable in the busts
which Wright afterWard made
He was a most considerate and court,
eous host. He was very fond of young
Ipeople, but his silent ways and the rep
lutation which hefenjoyed as great mar
made it difficult for the young always tte
be easy in his presence. The story is
| told of his coming intosa a room once WheT
dancing was going on and the sport sud.
denly ceased. Washington begged the
young people to go on, but they refused
until he left the room. Then, after they
felt free again to dance; he came back
and peeped through the open door.
There is more familiar story of the
great mans politeness. One day as he
was walking dow Market street-the
same Market street that is only few
doors from this office--he was engaged II
conversation with friend when a COLI
| ored man passed who bowed to the
| president. Washington courteously
returned the bow.
"What!" said his proud friend; edo
you bow to negro?''
tsTo be sure do said washington
| 'do you think would not be as polite as
a black man."
This would not be SO wonderful now,
when. the coiored brother is a free Aner1.
can citizen, but it should be remembered
! that Washington's courtesy was extend
ed to a slave.
Another we'll known anecdote relates
to his punctuality. His secretary did
| not share this inestimable virtue and
the president, always on time, was fire.
quently compelled to lose some valuable
| minutes waiting for the tardy scribe.
! On one occasion the offender was 20
minutes late. When he came he met tho
inquiring look of his employer with a
stammering apology
"My-my watch is out of order. am
sorry, but it is half an hour Slow
"Indeed, interrogated Washington. Z
am sorry, sir, because if you do not get
an orderly watch, must get an orderly
secretary"
1t is recorded that the young man al
! ways made. a point of arriving i've min
ptes too early after this warning, but he
mad no need to make an excuse for MS
watch going too fast.
George Washington was orderly to the
end of his days.
AS member Of the Continental Con-
sress he attended the sessions punctnally
and regularly; he listened to what others
had to say, and gave his own opinion
only after he had carefully formed it, 1t
is an example Of the thoroughness with
which he made himself master of every
subject that he used to copy in his own
hand the important papers which were
laid before Congress, such as the petition
to the king which was agreed upon.
This he would do deliberately and exact
ly-it was like committing the paper to
memory.
Patrick Henry was asked after he re-
turned to Virginia whom he considered
the greatest man i'll congress, and ne re-
piled: eff You speak OF eloQuence, Mr.
Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far
the greatest orator; but If you speak Of
solid information and sound judgment,
Col. Washington is unqNestionably the
greatest man on the floor.
The towns people of Alexandria, Va,
are proud of their washington" To
this place, formerly Belhaven, came
George Washington, fresh from school.
| Having failed to be midshipman, he was
| becoming land Surveyor profession
not so opposite as might seem, for in
mathematical methods the pursuits are
| identical, and the survey Of wild country
| is. In peril and adventure, not unlike a
! voyage at sea. Into Belhaven young
George rode every day. Tradition says
! that he came ten times during one week,
each time upon a different horse, every
one an animal that would have delighted
Gen. Grant In those days the fine rider
! of a fine horse readily won his way to the
popular heart The lad had borrowed in
turn all the best horses of the country
side, and he managed each with such Skill
and grace that thereafter his future was
made in the village.
In 1774 the Friendship Fire Company
which still exists, was organized. It at
first consisted Of citizens, who out Of "mr-
tual friendship agreed to carry to every
fire 'stwo leathern buckets and one great
bag of oznaburg or wider linnen.' Wash
ington was made an honorary member,
and when he went as a delegate to. the
congress of 1774, at Philadelphia, he exT
amined the fire engines in use there. On
his return to Philadelphia to the conti-
mental congress in ITS, he bought from
one Gibbs small fourth class engine for
ESQ los, and just before he set out FOR
Boston Heights to become comznander-in-
chief, he dispatched this little engine to
the Friendship Company. When in
Alexandria during his younger days he al
WAYS attended at fires and assisted to ex-
tinguish them. In the last year Of his life
fire occurred near the market. He was
riding down King street, followed by his
servant. also on horseback, and he saw
the Friendship engine poorly manned.
Riding up to group of well-dressed
gentlemen near by he called ont: Why
are you idle, there, gentlemen? It is your
business to lead in these Matters And
throwing the bride Of his horse to his
servant, he leaped off and seized the
| brakes, followed by a crowd that gave the
engine such shaking up'' as it never
| knew afterwards. S
In those days there We're no horses for
the fire engines, which were pulled by
men who volunteered for the service In
some Of our smaller towns even yet, the
engines and ladders are drawn by men
and boys. Think Of the humility Of the
greatest man in America playing fire
horse in his eth year. Perhaps this
will show that Washington s much
talked-of pride was not Of the mean kind
| which scorns humble service.
He never neglected his duty as a citi-
zen. The story of his last vote is pa
thetic.
| washington voted at all the Fairfax
elections until the close. of his life, uni
formly supporting the Federal candidates.
| Although living some distance from the
court house at the Alexandria market, he
generally voted early. The polls were
! reached by flight of steps outside, which
q Z faI.J .Sl~1.,y