The National tribune., 1896-02-20
wAsHINGToN's BIRTHDAY.
The Father of His Country from the Stand.
point OF a Lover
wAsnINGToN AS A LOVER,
I'm Tlfn Al RnnnciI

WASHINGTON As LOVER.
by Ida h. Bonpcy)
Just a few words apropos OF the birthday
of George Washington; born Feb. q, l132
died Dec. Il. 1893.
TO tue Father Of Our Country" wc have
been accustomed to attribute all the noble
qualities known TO mankind. "As the snow
cappcd pinnac'cs oF Mount Blanc tower above
the surrounding Alps" the hero Washington
towers above al other heroes in modern
history.
To the Young America Of to-day cur frst
President seems TO have been something more
than human Once he did show The spirit of a
rcai loY-ite cut the cherry-tree. However.
when called to account Tor il the divine spark
shone forth With halo Of glory rs he uttered
those memorable words: IL did it: ! cannot
tell iic!'
Historians Ia general have told Us Of WASH
iuFt0n's couraFe and constancy. his struggles
snd sac.i fees. both in war and in pence but,
while they have all shown Washington
as a warrior HHd Washington as a statesman,
few have ever depicted Washington rs lover.
While brilliant figure in battle, no ono can
imagine Washington 70 have been n brilliant
figure Ia socieiy. lie was bashfu ard hesitat-
ing ia BIS speech; had more judgment than
genius: znd although he possessed wisdom in
the suaerlative desrcec. he lacked the witty
elemeut seemingly so essential 10 success in
society.
From different sources I have CLEANED the
following romantic anecdotes connected with
tie life Of Washington. Perhaps the story oI
bis defeats la love viii excite as much interest
as the taies o! hIs glorious victories in battle.
As love is IN instinct implanted into man NJ
his birill we are not surprised that even George
Wsshingiot's heart at an early age
HIS FIRST sweetheart, Mary Wells. was a resi-.
dent OF the Old Dominion her home being on Y
cts. fISf frrr NJ sa.a
She n girl Of great personal beauty. and a
descendant of Lord Delaware, one OF the early
Governors Of tho jamestown Colony.
She and the future President had been com
nanions in childhood had gathered buttercups
by the wayside, played scotchpeg on the green
OF watched The silvery fasl from the paddle Of
the Indians canoe as it glided up aud dswn
the beautiful Potomac
In lT5i. just after lie had returned from his
perilous journey 10 Fort lie Be0uf, Washington
sought tisc hand of Mary Wells and obtained
her promise 10 wed him on his return 20 civil
life After instructing his cousin, Robert Ball.
60 keep watch in regard to her having any
other suiturs, the yoang soldier went hack 10
his post 10 fight for The rights Of King George
Whether Robert Ball Lad been yirilant i'm
regard 10 hls trust. we can not say. However
when VIC learn that this beauty Of the low
lands" lad been welded to another. we can
only bciicvc that her affeclio for the future
hero Of two great wars" was OF short a dnraiion.
To Washington this was a sting Of, disap-
pointment--a sting that seemed to have re-
taiucd rs acutcnCss for many years Indeed
Mary Wells was so confident that his whole
heart was hers, that more than quarter of 4
century afIerward, on hearing OF the con.
dcmnatIon Of Mnj. Andre. she. then the wife oi
l5ritisn Oihcor. went TO Washinytonis Head.
quarters To plead for Andres life. But thu
Commander Chief was firm, aud she re
ceired the resolute reply: Mary, he mus
dic.n
Although the character Of Washington wal
one of marked stability. il was touched 10 som,
degree with seniimeniality. This is shown b,
the love verses written by him aud still prc
served among the State archives of Virginia
His meeting Martha Gusts was also roman
tic. il was during the French and Indian wa
that Col. Washington rode, unattended, ou
some miles from camp on aH important mis-
sion. NiIcn noontimo came he stopped befou
handsome residence and inquired of a ser
want If lie might get something TO eat. sayin.
be was an officer ia the Continental army. wa
on important errand. and must hasten on
ward. AS the servant returned with the repl,
rhat die dinner would be ready ia a very shor
zime, Washington dismounted and went init
the house.