Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08

only indication of mental alteration which
he has ever evidenced is his morbid fear
of the vendetta. For years he has firmly
believed. notwithstal.d ding all persuasion to
the contrary, that a plot has been made
to kill him. At times he even suspected
his children of being implicated in the
to be saying at Whitehall at the time
will insist upon their Immediately leaving.
The only person in whom his trust remains
mistaken at all times is his body servant.
a gray haired old ex-slave, who has been
his devoted attendant for years"
Old Portraits and Certificates.
Upon the walls of this historic mansion
also hangs a modestiy framed script which
is of even more interest than those old por-
traits with their family legends 1t is one
of the original certificates of membership
to the Society of Cincinnati. granted to
Henry Bedinger. esq.,, of the commonwealth
of Virginia and signed by George Wash
ington. president. and Major General Knox,
secretary. the society being formed for
''the laudable purpose of intoxicating the
duty of laying down in peace arms assumed
for public defense and uniting in acts of
brotherly affection and bonds of perpetual
friendship the members constituting the
same" The first meeting of this most
elusive and aristocratic society Of such a
term may fifty be applied to any truly
American institution was held in 1873 at
F'ishkill-on-the-H Hudson. the headquarters
of Baron Sternberg, who presided at the
meeting. The thirteen original states were
all represented and membership limited to
the oldest male posterty of the original
members and officers of the American revo-
luton. This law of primogenture still OBJ
tains, hence the society is most rigid in
questions involving ENTHUSIASTICALLY those
being admitted who can establish without
a doubt the fact that in their veins flows
the blood of one of those officers who
fought for the establishment of the indie
pendence of America. 1t was in honor Of
this society that the city of Cincinnati,
Ohio. was named her chief founders being
members of same.
The certificate which hangs upon the walls
at Altoona entities to membership the son
of Major George Michael Bedinger, an Off
Ger of unquestioned courage and daring,
who rendered valuable service during the
revolution as an Indian spy. Henry Bed
niger himself was our representative to
Denmark and his daughter. who married
Mr.. Davenport. came into possession of
the certificate by right of inheritance
All the objects of historic interest with
which this old home is replete are not how
ever. confined to the interior of the manor
house. Not twenty yards from the dwelling
is a row of white mulberry trees, the like
of which are possibly nowhere to be found
in this country. They were planted by the
original owner of Altoona at the time when
the first experiments in silk raising were
being so enthusiastically attempted
throughout the country. Mr.. Davenport sue
ceeded in successfully raising large num-
Der of the cocoons and even shipped a
quantity of raw silk to Europe, but as there
was some trouble in disposing of it satisfac-
torily the industry was abandoned and the
mulberry trees allowed to attain their pres
ent magnificent proportions undisturbed by
future depreciation of the humble little SPIN
nerS.
Ruins of st. Georges Chapel.
By following for half a mile the pike