Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-05-18
wAsHINaroH's VISION.


in Independence Square. He was then
81, and becoming very feeble; but
though 30 old, his dimmy eye rekindled
as he looked at Independence Hall,
which, he said, he had come to gaze up
on once more before he was gathered
home.
what time Is it?" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple, and endeavoring to shade the
former with q shaking band = "what
time is il" 1 can't see so we'll now as
used to-"
"Half-past three"
Come, them" he continued, "let US
60 into the Hall; 1 want to tell you an
incident OF Washington's life - one
which no one alive knows of except
myself, and If you live you will,
before long, see 1t verified
Mark me, I am not superstitious, but
you will see it verified"
Reaching the visitors room, In
which the sacred relics of our early
days are preserved, we sat down upon
the old fashioned wooden benches, and
my venerable friend related to me the
following singular narrative, which,
from the popularity of our national
affairs at the present time, 1 have been
induced to give to the world. give it
as nearly as possible In his own words.
when the bold action of Congress
in asserting the independence Of the
colonies, became known in the world,
We were laughed and scoffed at as sill
ly, presumptuOus rebels whom British
grenadiers would soon tame into sub
mission; but undoubtedly we prepared
to make good what We had said.
The keen encounter came, and the
world knows the result.
It is easy and pleasant for those of
the present generation to talk and
write Of the days of rs, but they little
know-neither can they imagine the
trials and sufferings of those fearful
days. And there is one thing that 1
much fear, and that is. that the Amer
lean people do not properly appreciate
the boon Of freedom.
Party spirit is yearly becoming stron-
ger and stronger, and, unless it is
checked, will at no distant day, under
mine and tumble into ruins the noble
structure Of the republic. But let me
hasten to my narrative.
From the opening Of the revolution
we experienced all phases of fortune
now good and i'll, at one time victorious
and at another conquered. The dark
est period we had however, was, !
think, when Washington, after several
reVerses, retreated to Valley Forge,
where he resolved to pass the winter of
III. All! have oftsn seen the tears
coursing down our dear old command.
er's carewOrn face as he would be con-
versing with confidential officer about
the condition of his soldiers. You have
doubtless heard the story of Washing
ton going to the thicket to pray. Well,
1t is not only true, but he used often to
pray In secret for aid and comfort from
that God the interposition of whose Di-
vine Providence alone brought us safe.
ly through those dark days of tribula-
tions. One day remember it well, the
chilly wind whistled and howled
through the leafless trees, tho' the eky
was cloudless and sun shining bright.
ly. he remained In his quarters nearly
the whole Of the afternoon alone
When he came out, noticed that his
face was shade paler than usual, and
that there seemed to be something on
his mind Of more than ordinary import
ance. Returning just after dusk, he
dispatched an orderly to the officer ]
mentioned who was presently in at
tendance. After preliminary CONVEX
sation, Washington gazing upon his
companion with the strange look Of
dignity, said to the latter:
~ do not know whether it was OWNS
to the anxiety of my mind, or what, bu
this afternoon as I was sitting at thil
very table engaged In preparing a dis
patch, something In the apartment
seemed to disturb me. Looking up,
beheld standing exactly opposite nue. I
singularly beautiful female. So aston
ished was flor had given strict or
der not to be disturbed that it was som,
moments before found language to in
quire the cause of her presence.
"a second, third, and even fourtl
time did ! repeat the question, but re
ceiYed no answer from my mysteriou
visitor other than a slight raising of tn,
eyes. BY this time 1 felt strange sen
sation spreading through me. woul'
have risen, but the riveted gaze of tn
being before me rendered Yolition I'M
possible. 1 essayed once more to ad
dress her, but my tongue had becom
paralyzed. A new influence. mysteri
Gus. potent, irresistible, took posses
sion Of me. All could do Was to gaz
steadily, vacantly, at my unknown Wis
liant. Gradually the surrounding at
mosphere seemed as though becoming
filed with sensations and grew lumin
GUS. Everything about me appeared t.
rarity. the mysterious visitor hersel
becoming more airy and yet even NOR
distinct to my sight than before.
now began feeling as one dying, or rath
or to experience the sensations which
have sometimes imagined accompan
dissolution. / did not think, l did no
reason, 1 did not move, all were alik