The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-09
W~AsHYNoToN,s BOSWELL.

To THE EpIroR or The SuN-Sir: A rainy
day afternoon In an old fashioned garret
recently brought to light q number oil early
American books, The one that most inter-
ested the explorer who made the discovery
was q musty but we'll preserved elife OF
Washington" This was the quaint old title
page. opposite an equally quaint land far
led nattefthRD out OF the classic features OF
q. W."-so It was labelled:
The Ufe Of George Washington; with Curious
| Anecdotes, Equally Honourable TO Himself and
Exemplary TO his Young opuntrymen.
A life how useful 70 his country iedl :.
How lovedi while iivingi-how reveredi now deAo'
| Lispi lispl his name. 70 children yet unborni
And with like deeds your own greet names aoorn'
seventh E-dltion-Greaty Improved. BY N, L.
weems, Formerly Rector Of Mount-Vernon Parish
Philadelphia: Printed for the Author 1903
The explorer browsed through the old
book, and'his reward was ample. As he read,
the pictures OF two WashinGtons took clear
form In hiS mind the Washington OF history,
and the traditional" Washington, the Father
Of his Country" He had heard OF Weems and
weems's book, but had never seen 1t; and t
was a sensation now to realize how the old
reckless, rollloking parson had created the
Washington Of the popular Imagination.
He turned to his reference books, AND
learned that Mason Locke Weems, born about
i7o0, lin Maryland, died 1925. was q mighty
interesting character. He was educated Tor
the Protestant Episcopal ministry. and his
unsuccessful attempt to take holy orders IN
England was a factor 10 the establishment OF
a separate church organization in America.
His precept may have-been divine. but his
practice was in all conscience worldly enough.
He began peddIlng q book Of his own: The
Drunkard's Looking Glass, Rejecting q Faith
full Likeness Of the Drunkard In sundry very
interesting Attitudes with Lively Represen-
- "a 49,. HA>ASa DhI hG
cuts in different Sta ges OF his Disease.
He was q natural mimic and comedian.
and a fiddler. At country dances n we'd
dings he was always In demand as an enter"
tainer. and the lively scrapinR OF his DOW
contributed to the gayety Of many such
easygoing festsl occasions. Oh. NJ. l.. Weems
il worth Hlooking up! s
But to our nuttonsl 1t is safe to say
that there are fewer only Of those who do not
know the cherry tree story" thar OF those
who have read 10 in the original form. As
the merry old Southron naively narrates 1t.
the tale lie worth a hundred equivalents OF
its modern. sadly garbled version. Here IL
ia, lifted bodily:
When George was about six years old. he was
made the wealthy master Of q hatcheN Of which.
like most little boys, he was immoderately fond.
and was constantly going about chopping every
thing that came In his way.
One day In the garden, where he often amused
himself hacking hs mothers pea sticks. he un-
luckily tried the edge OF his hAtchet on the body
OF . beautiful young English cherry troe. which
he bArked 30 terribly that ! don't believe the tree
ever got the better OF IL. The next morning the
old gentleman finding out what had befallen his
tree. which, by the by. was n great favorite. came
into the house. and with much warmth asked for
the mischieyous author, declaring at the same
time that he would not have taken npe GHthens for
his tree. Nobody could tell him anything about
It. Presently George and his hAtchet made their
appearance. George. said his father. do you know
rho Killed that beautiful ltHIe cherry tree VORdeT IN
the Odrdenp
This was a touoh question, and George staggered
under Il for a moment; but quickly recovered him
self: and looking at bis father, with the sweet face
of youth Frightened with the inexpressibie charm
OF all conquering truth, he bravely cried out. II
can't ten a Ne, Pa, YOU Enoto / can't tell a Ne; 7 did
ef q nth my hafehsf Re-" to my arms you dearest
boy. cried his father In transports run TO nv arnrs.
plaa on !. george una you essI h'Asa NY ues, l'
you "a's pa.a me ~, " noSsana oss ouss :"
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Over u s.ern u'soes pHnle nnS .ns.
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moiean Iielnen u ursoyn. -
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tos H,rh n air IN. sreount.1ns h.nner, h,,T.d,
ts,,, mold waving, the lion -paInted standard of
Britain, and here The streaming pride of Column.
bias lovely st~ripes-while thick below, ten thou
sand eager warriors close the dsrkening nIes. ali
bristled with venReful steel. Nc nring is heard;
but shrill and terrible from rank TO rank resounds
the clash of ba-yonets-freauent and sad the groans
Of the dying. Pains on pairs, Bhtons and Amen-
cans. with each MS oayone' In his orothers breast.
1an FORWARD 'ose.net Io,nlIsnr<HmpVn oeatn' ana
minGle tnelI SNORING olooo.
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