The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-14
wAsHINSToN's LAST YEARS.
Ideally Happy Were the Great Statesman
and HIS WIFE at Mount Vernon.

From the Ladies Home Journal J
At the time of his retirement TO
Mount Vernon. after the expiration
# his term as President, the tall fig
ure of Washington was only slightly
bent, and he was still supposed TO
weigh upward of 200 pou-ds.
Excepting his. gray hair and his
false teeth, and some trouble 10 hear
ing. there was little of the usual ap
pearance of age in his muscular per.
son, his gait and his strong, pock
marked face. He was sif ,ble aud
merry with his beat friends, but
while he had the true hos pitslity of H
Southern gentleman in inviting every
visitor from a distance 10 his table
or 10 3 bed over night, his polite
ness was generally formal. Yet, II
he particularly enjoyed ibe conver'
sation of 3 guest, he would pay him
the compliment of listening to him
until 9 o'clock, or even Of lighting
him with candle to a bed room for
the night. Mrs Washington At this
time was healthy, pleasant. ard
unosteuiatious little women, still
showing traces Of good looks and
with seldom any other thought than
Of playing respectfully her roll Of
mistress of the house of couuIry
gentleman. of caring for the negroes,
or OF amusing herself with her knit
ting. Sne had great pride in her re-
celpl for making CHERRY bounce,
and on a midsummer day she cut out
thirty-six pairs Of breeches for the
men working on the farm. She had
said that she and the general felt
like children just released from
school when he lelt the Presidency,
and she told of her satisfaction in
settling down again to the duties Of
an old-fashioned Virginia house
keeper, steady as a clock, busy rs
bee. aud cheerful as cricket
Nellie Custis occupied no small
share of Washington's sffectlonate
thought after his return to Mount
Vernon. He had charged the young
girl not to fall in love with any in
vader" of her heart until she had
competent knowledge Of his charac'
ter, especially whether he WAS man
of sense, for be assured sensible
woman can never be happy with
fool;n what his walk Of life, the
extent of his fortune, and, above all
the honesty Of his affections. Wash
10 10.
been that Nellie Custis would marry
his favorte young nephew Lawrence
Lewis, and among the last of the
festivities which Washington presid-
ed over at Mount Vernon WAS the
wedding of the couple in February,
l7SS Nellie wanted him to appear
IN all the msgnfcence of the new
uniform, with gold lace and white
plumes, which the War Department
bad Just designed for him as gene
raj. The old chieftsin was unwilling
10 have himself bedecked in the
trappings of his latest military rank.
But when be came into the presence
of the bridal party Nellie had to
throw her arms around his neck, for
there he was in the good old blue and
buff of the Continental Army, with
q black ribbon cockade and cooked
hat.
AS the last day advanced the pa.
tient Washington began to realize
the extreme gravity Of his condition.
Suffering and nearly exhausted. he
asked his wife to bring him his wills
from his desk, aud indicated which
of the two should be destroyed. To
ward night he became very weak.
IL f I'd am going now" be said, and
added, after giving iDjunctions as to
his accounts and papers, "it is the
debt we all must pay" Occasion
ally be made some remarks during
the evening as, Doctor, | die hard,
but am not afraid to CO." You
had better not take any more trouble
about me, but let me go off quietly;
| cannot last long" Dr.. Craik could
do little more than press the hand Of
his old friend, and then sit by the
6reside in the simply furnished room,
sadly waiting for the end. Mrs.
Washington, seated at the foot of
the bed, listened in silent grief. At
10 o'clock, the dying man. after
much effort, made those around him,
who included four servants. under
stand that he wishel to be buried
decenly, and that his body might
not be put in the vault until three
days after his death. The last words
be was heard to say when he was
told that be had been understood,
we're, "Tis we'll" Not long after.
ward his breathing became easier; he
rested quietly; he even made move.
ment to feel his own pulse, but his
countenance changed, his hand fell,
and he died without struggle or
sigh. Mij. Lear mentioned that
the end had come otis WE'LL"
said the widow in a composed voice.
CT sba II en- on follow him -