The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-04-27
SOME SIDE LIGHTS ON GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Fresh Gossip Gathered From Alexandria,
Mount Vernon and the State Department.
Frank Il. Carpenter m st. Louis Republic.

the Legislature against Fairfax, of
Alexandria. Washington supported
Fairfax, and when he met Payne here
he made a remark that Payne consid-
cred an insult and Payne Knocked him
down. The story went like lightning
through the town that Colonel Wash
ington was killed, and some Of his
troops who were stationed at Alexan-
dria rushed in and would have made
short work Of Payne had Washington
not prevented them. lie pointed to
his black eye and told their that this
was a personal matter and that he
knew how TO handle it. Everyone
thought that this meant a duel. The
next day Payne got a note from Wash
ton asking him to come to the hotel.
lie expected a duel, but went. Wash
ingtOn, however, was in an amicabic
mood. He felt that he had been in
the wrong, and said: Mr.. Payne. |
was wrong yesterday, but if you have
had sufficient satisfaction, let us be
friends There was a dccanter Of
wine and two glasses on the table
which Washington had ordered to
smooth over the quarrel. The two
drank together and became such strong
friends after that Payne was one Of
the pallbearers at Washington fun
cral.'
Everyone drank in the days of
Washington, and the Father Of his
Country always had wines upon his
table. | have nowhere seen it stated
that he ever drank to excess, although
he usually consumed five glasses Of
Madeira wine at dessert. During his
youth he was a very fair politician,
and among the items Of his election
expenses when he was a candidate for
the House Of Burgcsses Of Virginia
were a hogshcad and a barrel of whis-
ky, IS gallons Of wine and AZ gallons
Of beer.
George Washington was simple in
his tastes, and during his youth was
an enormous eater, but was not par
ticular as to what he had. He wanted
plain food and plenty Of it. During
his later years he ate very little. His
breakfast at Mount Vernon was of
corn cakes, honey and tea, with pos
sibly an egg, and after that he ate no
more until dinner. He kept, how
ever. q good table, and usually had
friends with him. His table manners
were not Of the best. 1 have n book
written by Maclay, which gives his
experiences when he was in the
United States Senate, at the time
Washington was President. Maclay
dined With Washington a number of
times, and scattered through his diary
are bits of gossip about Washington.
At two of the dinners he describes
Washington as amusing himself be-
tween the courses by playing the
devils tattoo u.on the table With his
fork. At another time he says: "The
President kept a fork in his hand
when the cloth was taken away. I
thought it was for she purpose Of pick
ing nuts. He ate no nuts, but played
with the fork, striking on the edge of
the table with it,"
Washington, at this time, had some
trouble in keeping up his establish
mcnt. When the Revolutionary War
closed he had plenty OF land but little
money. He had exhausted his pri-
vatc fortune during the war. aud he
had to borrow enough take him to
New York to be inaugurated as Presi-
dent. The result was he was careful
OF his expenses, and would not toler-
ate extravaganza. An instance Of
this kind occurred one day when he
found the first shad Of the season on
his table. The President was very
fond of fish, and when the shad was
brought into the dining room his nos
trlis diintcd ny the s:v@:y odoE struck
them, and he asked:
What fish is that?"
"A shad,' replied the steward, cx-
citedly: "a very fine shad. l knew
your Excellency was extravagantly
fond of this fish, and was so fortunate
as to procure this one in the market.
1t was the only one, sir, and the first
of the sason:'
but the price. man? The price?
The pricc?' demanded Washington
sternly.
Three three three dollars"
stammercd the steward.
Take it awayl Take it away!'
said Washington. 1T shall never be
said that my table sets such an OK
travagancc!'