The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-02-19


Judgment which OF
the two men is the greater. But it is
not really important that this question
be decided. Destiny planned certain
line of work for both men, and they did
that work we'll Their innate ability is
only partly responsible for their sue
cess; 1t was their unselishness and de-
sire to do well whatever they under
took which helped them to succeed
where others might have failed. If Lin
coin deserves praise because necessity v
spurred him on to greatness, Washing M
ton deserves as much credit because he VIZ
became great without being driven on lX
by necessity. Destiny demanded a WI
double role of Washington-she made WI
him soldier and statesman, and he III
performed both we'll His trials as va
president were almost as great as those M
he encountered as commanderinchief VA
of the army. He was placed at the head va
of a new form of government, and did XII
not have precedents to guide him in M
his undertaking. 1t was his early train "
ing which taught him to think calmly
and with judgment His mind once
made up, to act without fear.
He was born on the banks of the Po-
tomac river in farmhouse though the
1t was not the mansion it is supposed
to have been. 1t was a large, roomy
place, with deep sloping roof and
big outside chimney at either end. He 4
was one of many children His father
was rich in crops and land though he
had little real money Most Virginia
farmers planted tobacco, and when mon
ey was scarce they traded this product
for food and clothing. His early years
were spent on the farm, with plenty Of
exercise and little schooling George loved I
tramp across the fields forests and to swil
in the streams. His education was gained
a country school where he was taught for thre
hours a day. Limited as his education wa
he was fond of reading and he had a boo
into which he copied everything he wished {
remember. In this book he put many rule
which he himself had formulated These al
only few of the many
Labor to keep alive in your breast that Ii
tie spark OF celestial fire called conscience"
Think before you speak"
whisper not in the company Of others"
Lawrence one of the half-brothers, had bee
sent to England to school, and the parent
had planned the same for George, but ii
father died suddenly, and Mrs. Washingto
realized she could not afford to send him acro'
the ocean. Inc DOy Hdu spent COhSluei du
time on the wharf and talking to seamen ha
awakened desire for adventure. These st
RES created a desire to earn living as sa
or and he suggested 1t to his mother Mr.
washington did not like the idea OF havir
George leave home nor did she approve of h
cereer He was sent back to school to STUD
surveying. When not studying he was trainiT
bIa company of boys to become soldiers, and !
often got very impatient when they made mi
takes.
shortly after his brother Lawrence had ma
Ia tbe daughter of Lord Fairfax member
.ht. family took a great interest in the DO
He had such fancy for the lad ne put MIN
.,,-vevinR a large tract Of land in the Shena
doah valley. Though the work was no ea'
tssk he was so strong and enthusiastic
soou,tted himself exceedingly well. He d
~, On alone-a boy, George Fairfax, went
-" eId They rather enjoyed the new exp
H,orce Of hunger, cold and facing Indian strs
In later years George recalled his exp
oa NJ roughing It in the Shenandoah VI
Sr,,h great pleasure. This work was su
,ey -. interrupted by sickness in the famil
v-r.ance his half-brother. was Ill and the phi
,-,.,. cent him to the West Indies. Georl
ST., along to keep him company, only to
W." u,Ith smallpox. Although Lawren
Uas-,ad for home, he died after his return.
This was a great shock to George, for 4
.-others were exceedingly Devoted out u
e.,n- ~ this loss was partly forgotten by
.-s,,,ssion TO 20 10 the French VINO we
ss,sId,ne forts on English territory. lie W