The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-03

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tanned their bright color were left intact
Md thus the ruin stood until the present
generation. Then each picnicng party
that landed ON the saudy beach coniiscat-
ed the bricks and stones Tor souvenirs
until but few of them remained This de
yastation by tourists continued until
Mr. John W Wilson. the present owner
OF the farm. resolved to preserve the lit
tie which rcmainded oi these valuable
historic relics The massive corner
stones Of the mansion and the few dozen
bricks which rcmaindcd were secrcted in
safer place Then a movement was
put ON foot 10 rebuild the manor.hOuse
as nearly after the orignalstyleas posi-
Bile. and To Use in the construction the
corner stones and old bricks which, even
to this late day, have retained their
perfect mold and hard appearance. But
the temporary enthusiasm waned, and
this plan died down without any results,
save perhaps that it caused the prcserya-
tion Of the few relics which had not al
ready been carried away.
IN interesting fact in connection with
these bricks, aside from their. having been
a part Of the old Washington homestead
is that they were brought across the At
lantc ocean from England nearly two
centuries ago. They were used for ballast
in the ships which returned to the then
motherland with wares from her new
possessions. The Potomac. in front OF
the Wakefield" farm. is nearly ten miles
wide In those early days the heaviest
vessels yentured that far up stream and
anchored The bricks and other materials
wert brought ashore in smaller boats. 1t
Is said that all of the furnishings and even
the woodwork in themanor were brought
to this country from England.
The house was built after the colonial
style-a great square structure with "A
princely hall running the entire length OF
the house. From the foundation lines
which still stand there seems to have
been six rooms on the ground floor each
Of them about twenty feet square
On the southeast side the old chimney
stood between the two rooms, and it was
evidently used on both sides according
10 the old-iashioned customs. Ii is prob
able that the rooms on the other
side Of the house were heated by stoves
or ovens. and there seems TO be no evil
dence Of another chimney. The house
faced the Potomac, and lordly view OF
the blue stretch OF water is commanded
from the site The banks OF Maryland
are defined only 10y shadOwy line on the
horizon. and between the boughs of the
ancient oaks and giant pear and cherry
trees which stand around the spot OF the
old homestead one sees the blue water OF
the Potomac, wheat fields, through
which flows Georges Creek, which took
its name from the great Washington, and
| rich corn fields and orchards. The land
is n beautifully rolling, romantic spot
one to delight the heart of an artist. But
there are few to enjoy its beauties now
save the farmers and old Virginia dark
les. among whom the latter will tell you
with pride: "Thars George Washing.
ton in ebery family fur miles around
here-and mos in gen ally thar's two or
free uf 'um." Even nature seems to have
allied with man in an effort to Obliterate
this historic spot, for the tides OF these
many years have washed nearly mile
of sandy beach between the old shore
and the present meeting place of the
water and land
The log cabin quarters of the old plan
tation slaves are rickety and tumbling,
but they form beautiful picture in their
silent ruins, and weeds have grown be-
tween the rotten flooring, while a stray
mingling OF corn, wheat, grass and weeds
has covered the little path whose fire.
quenters have long since been forgotten.
The old doors and shutters have long ago
vanished, perhaps to brighten fire on a
cold winters night. On the log wall
within the cabin are the rusty nails, idle
and useless now, for the banjo, the fiddle
and the bow are gone, and only the sing
ing of the lark breaks the stiffness OF the
air. But some of the oldest negroes in
the county will tell you if you ask, AT
midnight on de dark oh de moon dar's
music in dem quarters. Sometimes cts
'Dixey,' den agin cts Marsa's in de Cole,
Cole Groun'.'"
Strange irony of fate that makes Wash
ington's birthday a nationalholiday and
neglects the place of his birth.
MARIE MATTlNGLY
in Washin gtOn Post.
Friday and Saturday ssashOrs Excur-
sions.