Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-17

although every inch q king" over
looked the disregard OF established
forms into which his would-be hosts had
been betrayed by their patriotic zeal, and
made the following answer In his own
handwriting:
Gentlemen: ] thank you for your hos
pitable invitation ana the gratifying terms
IN which you have expressed your desire
that should attend a banquet which you
propose to give in celebration OF Gen.
Washingtons natal day. But you must ex-
cuse me from uniting with you to honor
the memory OF your illustrious country
man, since could not do so with sincerity,
| for Washington scorned a crown, and did
more to bring royalty into contempt than
all men who have ever lived. and am a
king by trade"
On December Washington took final
leave of the officers OF the army in the
dining room of the old Fraunces tavern,
at the corner Of Pearl and Broad streets,
New York.
Pouring out glass Of wine, he re-
quested them to fill their glasses, and
after giving his habitual first toast. "ro
all our friends" he said:
with heart full of love and gratitude
/ now take my leave of you, most devoted
ly praying that your latter days may be as
prosperous and happy as your former ones
have been honorable and glorious l can
| not come to each of you, but will be glad II
every one of you will come forward and
take me by the hand"
The following anecdote, narrated by
Mr.. Watson, presents Washington not
in his traditionally austere attitude,
habitually poised to be pedestalled in
bronze or marble. but as the kindly tenn
pered man and considerate host. beneath
whose native dignity Of manner there
glowed the most tender sympathy with
the sufferings of others, suggesting the
pinions of the eagle folded around the
warm heart of the dove:
Although | had frequently seen Gen.
Washington in the progress of the rev.
olution, and had corresponded with him
from France in 81 and '82, this was the
first occasion on which had contem-
plated him in his private relations.
observed popularity in his smile which
seemed to illuminate his eyes; his whole
countenance beamed with intelligence
while 1t commanded confidence and re-
spect. found him kind and benignant
in the domestic circle, revered and be-
loved by all around him, agreeably social
without ostentation, delighting in anec-
dotes and adventures without assump-
ton; his domestic arrangements harmo-
Nous and systematic. His servants
seemed 70 watch his eye, and to antici-
pate his every wish. hence look was
, equivalent to a command. His servant
Billy, the faithful companion of his mil
itary career, was always at his side;
, smiling content animated and beamed
on every countenance in his presence
; The first evening spent under the wing
of his hospitality we sat full hour al
table by ourselves, after the family had
retired. was extremely oppressed with
a severe cold and excessive coughing
, and he pressed me to use some remedies
but declined dong So AS usual after
retiring, my coughing increased. When
some time had elapsed the door of ms
q room was gently opened. and on drawing
my bed-curtains. to my utter astonish'
ment beheld Washington himself
:, standing at my bedside with a bowl q
: hot tea in his hand. | was mortified ant
distressed beyond expression. This lit
tie incident occurring in common lif'
: with an ordinary man, would not hav'
= = been noticed, but as trait Of the benev
y olence and private virtue OF Washington
It deserves to be recorded"