Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-15
GEORGE WASHINGTON AS A
\ BOY.

We all know a great deal about George
Washington, the man, the soldier. the
statesman and the President. but very
little of George Washington the boy. His
boyhood will prove interesting and at
the same time helpful to boys who are
striving to make something of them
selves.
George Washington was born on plan
tation of twelve hundred acres. called
Wakefield, in Westmoreland county, Va,
sixty-f1ve miles below Washington city.
on the Potomac.
Mary Ball. Washington's mother. was
mother worthy of her splendid son.
She had spent some years Of her girl
hood at the home of her brother, Joseph
Ball, at Cookham. in Berkshire, Eng
land. where Augustine Washington.
Georges father. happening to be in Eng
land upon affairs connected with his prop
erty, met her. She was regarded as a
belle and beauty. and had many admirers
in Virginia as we'll as in England. Au-
gustine Washington was considered one
+ of the handsomest men of his day, and
was a widower. with two boys. at the
time of his marriage to Mary Ball.
Twelve years later Mary Washington was
left a widow. with five children, George.
Betty, Samuel, John and Charles, and
two stepsons.
George evidently merited his mother's
| love. for he was in all things a dutiful
and upright son. Even for that time.
when children were most respectful to
| their, parents. he was remarkably DEF
erential to them. His fathers death, and
upon him. made him even more manly
and dignified. We are told that at fifteen
George was a splendid specimen of young
manhood. Life in the open air. healthy
athletic exercise. clean, wholesome living.
| had added their charms to the splendid
physique and graceful manners he had in
| herited from his father. At fifteen he was
head of the household at Ferry Farm
read family prayers night and morning
presided at the table, was obeyed by his
brothers. worshiped by his sister. ano
| consulted by his mother, herself an ad'
mirable manager and woman of business
When Lord Fairfax. an old acquaint-
ance of Mrs. WashingtOns In her Engi1sr
association with her he was visfbly inn
pressed with George, whom he suisse
| quently came to love.
When introduced to his mothers distin.
guished visitor George presented most
pleasing appearance. He had dressed
himself in his best, in honor of his guest
wearing a coat and knee breeches of dark
blue cloth, woven and dyed at home. His
waistcoat was of white brOcade. made
from his mothers wedding gown. His
shoe buckles and knee buckles were very
elegant ones. having been his father s
His blonde hair was made into club TIED
with a black ribbon. while under his arm
| he carried a smart three-cornered nat, 1ol
! the hat played a prominent part In the
ceremoniOus bows Of the period. His dog
a beautiful long-eared setter. Rather. was
always at his side. while crouching some
where near was the black boy 1illy. who
adored George. and would DEFY MRS
Washington's threats and frowns and the
beatings of Uncle Jasper and Aunt Sukey
to be near his young master.
George seems to have had few faults
We know him as truthful. punctual
systematic, executive, tender and brave
70 his mother he was an ideal son. a,
! one time he was given commission or
board his majestys ship the BelOna. He
obtained 1t through his half-brother Lau
renee and his friend; Admiral Vernon
| When his mother was apprised of 1t she
and her son had serious half hour
George was courteous but determined, anC
| politely but firmly refused to give up hi:
| commission. 1t was the dearest wish Of
his heart. His mother. ever self-con
| trolled and strong in her reserve. broke
down and pleaded with her son to give W
the sea- George in a fash saw the moth
er-love. and was overpowered He waited
a minute to subdue the ache in his heart
| before he replied. Mother, l Will give VI
| nv commission"
George always had passion for thing:
military, and learned much of French
military tactics from Lord Fairfax:
bodyguard, Lance, while visiting Lore
Fairfax at Greenaway Court. in Virginia
Lance also taught George to fence. and
the future great man afterward admitted
that in addition to mastering the gentle
manly art, he, mastered something more
| important-the art of mastering his tenn
per- He soon found that courage, swift
ness, dexterity were all necessary, bu
that the man with the uncontrolled tempe
was always defeated. He once said t.
Lance: Ever since I was a little boy,
have never lost my temper before my
mother or any woman. 1t would be un
gentlemanly' To this Lance replied
"Well, son. go little farther. If you cal
do so out Of respect for your mother. then
out of respect for yourself. always keel
Life at Greenaway Court was filed will
just such sports as boys dearly love
hunting. fishing. riding. association will
two old soldiers who delighted In telling
| their adventures to the eagerly listening
boy beside them. and a little real defend
ing of themselves against the Indians
who attacked the house one night. Georg'
was a natural woodsman and hunter. NJ
| art or craft OF the woods, known to whit
man or Indian, was unknown to him. ant
his knowledge always resulted in full