The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-02-28
wAsHINGToN's INNER LIFE.

WASH1NGTON'S > LIN MEN LIE z.
Most of us, [ expect, have our doubts
about the actual facts of the story of
Washington and his immortal hatchet;
it serves, however, to give us clear IN
SIGHT into the moral training OF Master
George, by upright, honorable and God
fearing parents.
AS he grew, we find him never stray
ing from the right and narrow path
which leads to righteousness, into
which stern but kind father had started
him. His constancy must be admired
by all who still retain the least spark OF
love for the good and the beautiful,
that love which is given, withouteXcep-
ton, to all humanity.
AS a youth, of eighteen summers, If
nv memory be not at fault we meet
him Just from a shower bath, which all
of us have experienced. and can there
fore heartily sympathize with him. This
is decidedly beside the subject, but too
good to omit, although names and dates
cannot be recalled.
i At no great distance from his child
hood home lived proud aud wealthy
man of royal stock and nigh ambition;
this man had, among other blessings,
beautiful and accomplished daughter
of promising age and enchanting ways.
Washington, unfortunately for hlmSelf,
was like other men, built of human
, clay. he fell unconSiously but .deSper-
, ately in love. that first love so sweet
and full of hope; he was encouraged by
the maiden who finally referred MN TO
her father. Brave, hopeful and broad
minded, as young man can Oe, ne pre-
,, sented himself, without fear or mlsgiV-
y ing. before his WOuld-nOt-be fatner-ln-
y law. When asked as to his means OF sup,
3 porting his daughter III the wealth ana
= atfiuence to which she was accustomed,
t George could show him but two honest,
= willing hands and tell of his bright
= :. prospects. He was cOldly shown the door
!, and informed those prospects would
. not support family, and furthermore,
. . he was neither by birth nor standing
Il Il worthy of the hand to which he aspired.
:, Imagine the feelings of this lady and
. her father, both being present, when
. WASHINGTON entered Y OrktOwn with the
. conquered Lord Cornwallis at his side
In his highest triumphs as in his
!, severest trials, we find him IN such
=. close communion with his God that
l. our worldly minds cannot grasp the
~ significance of his fidelity. The hrSt
~ words in the morning and his last at
, night were petition to the throne, or
,e sounded praises OF thanksgiving Tor
# the benefits of the day. The darkest Gays
- of his life were passed in that dreadful.
|. winter of TITS at Valley Forge
~ ~ with his devoted soldiers; frequently
=. ~ less than half clad and half fed; his
a a LOYALTY decriad by jealous and Ignorant
=. - neople, and even congress, for time,
~ turned to him the cold shoulder. AT
~ ~ this season OF unjust and unmerlted
10 trials he was often found. standing
~ knee deep in snow under an oaken can
IL IL, opy. wrestling with his God.
Io IIo Following his life, skeptical as we
~ NAV be. we are unable to shut out the
~ ~ vision of kind and merciful Provl
-" n dence, in which he placed such Implicit
11SS confidence. Among numerous othel
w w instances of divine protection it is re
g. lated that he personally discovered
~ treacherOus plot to deliver him into I'M
~ ~ hands of the British enemies. Again
dS during a memorable battle, he ha(
90 three horses shot under him, yet N
y, ~ escaped without single scratch; ant
" later. an Indian chief related that OF
n,S ,as this same day his braves had repeatedl
100 =" taken deliberate aim at him but finall
hc to concluded he was protected by tn
no no great Manitou and ceased their effort
nd to kill him.
fnr fiu Thus through his eventful life W
;s l0i cannot help but admire the noble Chris
nd nd tian spirit so predominant in this mai
ne l,e though we may be unable to share tn
S9, o. same feeling or even to comprehend l
co oo He died as he had lived: kind, Iovln'
+hc I" honorable and brave. He passed ava
.he .he in peace, to the glory for which ne ha
I;a IHo striven, but his memory shall 60 dow
md nd the ages and be renewed from gener'
ho 1n ton to generation, and his name sha
o;t be spoken with that endearing 1mpul:
DC is which no other name in history ca
nd call forth. ooLEh.