The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-07
AN INTERVIEW WITH WASHING
TON.
How a Brave Little Boy Net the
Great Commander.

Great Commander.
In the July st. Nicholas Sara King
Wiley has a romance OF the American
| Revolution entitled Maurice and His
Father A brave little English lad IS
separated from his father and falls
into the hands of the Americans. His
father afterwards embraces the patrl-
/ OF cause, and his son is restored 10
him through the medium of Washing
ton, as shown in the following ex-
tract:
Maurice was informed that Gen.
Washington was there showing the
| works to Gen Lafayette, and his heart
began to fiutter and thump within
him.
Barney was sitting beside him, look
| ing at his master with bright and low
ing eyes, his little black nose CULVER
ing.
Barney" said the boy, we're
afraid, but we're not going to stop II
we are"
And. picking up the dog, he took his
way, through the rustling leaves, that
lay, like heaps of gold, towards the
| house which one of the soldiers, from
whom Maurice ventured to ask for Oh
rections, had pointed out to him.
Eyes; Gen. Washington is there and
alone,'' he was told.
| Could he see him?
'.Sure, no, We little bye" said the
Irish sentry. Its wore out the poor
| gintleman is, already, and it's meself
wouldn't bother with all thin jabber-
| ing Frinchmen.'
Maurice was desperate.
"Oh, pleaser' he said. BEG, Barney,
you beg, too
The little dog sat up at once, with
| dropping paws.
"Sure, me own names Barney. And
| is your name OTeilly, too" said
the sentry.
''Oh, if he is your namesake,' eX-
claimed Maurice, "you must let him
| in! Oh, see, you can hold him while [
go inv' Maurice thought no one could
resist such an offer.
| 'I'll see,' said the soldier, and he
| stepped within, and returning, said:
go on
| Maurice yielded up Barney and
stepped into the hall, went along it,
and paused just inside an open door.
He was trembling. A voice said:
| ''What is your GRAND pa voice even
| grave and, rather severe.
| Maurice raised his eyes. Just before
| the fireplace stood the great command
| er; to the boys excited thought he
seemed even larger than he was. Gen.
| Washington's hands were behind his
| back, his handsome head bent little
| forward
what is your Grand, my lad?'' said
| he again, with a note of command in
| his tone.
ooh, my father-my fatherv he said.
81 have been lost from him so very
| longw
Something in the thrilling child's
voice, something in the piteous and for
lorn expression Of his face went
straight to the warm heart that the
general carried beneath his calm eX-
terror. He crossed the room in quick
strides, and, laying his hand on the
| boys shoulder said, kindly:
sMy poor childw
This was too much. Maurice had
borne bravely the long strain of wait
ing, the repeated disappointments, but
the unexpected sympathy broke down
his self-pOsSeSsion. He put his hand
in the crook of his arm and Sobs came
fast, sobs that shook him from head to
foot. The general drew him aside. sat
down in an armchair, and, taking the
little hanging hand in both his own,
said: "There, there, stop crying and
tell me all about it
Maurice choled down his sobS and
told his story. At his fathers name
the general rose quickly.
"Col, Terraine's son! Why, then,
your father was here a short time ago
he may be up stairs now!'
Maurice fogot even the great chief
and sprang for the door. But Wash
ington caught him by the arm.
'sMy dear boyle does not know-I
will co.
Maurice stood still in the center of
the room and pressed his hands hard
together. The general went out and
UP stairs; it seemed to Maurice that he
stepped very slowly.
Col. Terraine sat in an upstairs room
writing; he laid down his pen and rose
as the general entered.
Colonel" said Washington, 81 have
some wonderful news for you" He
paused; the officer took a step for
ward and opened his lips, but he did
not speak
"Come down stairs with me- contin-
ued the general, slowly, "and remem-
Der as you go that passage i'll the
Scriptures: But the father said, Let
us be merry, for this my SON Col.
Terraine caught the back of a chair
g for this my SON" went on the
sweet, grave voice, was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost and is
found
Col Terraine stood an instant with
wide, questioning eyes; then he rushed
through the doorway and down the
| ELL, L..