The Tupelo journal., 1909-02-19

the two men IS the greater. But II is
not really important that this question
be decided. Destiny planned a 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; it 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 ]
spurred him on to greatness, Washing n
ton deserves as much credit because he "
became great without being driven on II
by necessity. Destiny demanded a W
double role of Washington-she made VI
him a soldier and a statesman, and he IA
performed both well. His trials as w
president were almost as great as those M
he encountered as commandments III
of the army. He was placed at the head w
of a new form of government, and did K
not have precedents to guide him in N
his undertaking.. 1t was his early train Y
ing which taught hin 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 a farmhouse; though the
house was far better than a log cabin,
it was not the mansion it is supposed
to have been. 1t was a large, roomy
place, with a deep sloping roof and a
big outside chimney at either end. He
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
tramp across the fields, forests and to swi
in the streams. His education was gained
a country school where he was taught for thr
hours a day. Limited as his education wa
he was fond of reading, and he had a boz
into which he copied everything he wished
remember. In this book he put many rul
which he himself had formulated. These a
only a few of the many:
Labor to keep alive in your breast that l
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 be-
sent to England to school, and the paren
had planned the same for George, but Il
father died suddenly, and Mrs. lWashingt'
realized she could not afford to send him aero
the ocean. The boy had spent considerab
time on the wharf and talking to seamen hi
awakened a desire for adventure. These ST
ries created a desire to earn a living as a sa
or. and he suggested it to his mother. M
Washington did not like the idea of havil
George leave home nor did she approve of b
career. He was sent back to school to stu'
surveying. When not studying he was trainil
his company of boys to become soldiers, and
often got very impatient when they made m
takes.
Shortly after his brother Lawrence had ne
ried the daughter of Lord Fairfax a member
this family took a great interest in the be
He had such a fancy for the lad he put him
surveying a large tract of land in the Shena
doah valley. Though the work was no ea
task. he was so strong and enthusiastic
acquitted himself exceedingly well. He d
not go alone-a boy, George Fairfax, went
his aid. They rather enjoyed the new exI
rience of hunger, cold and facing Indian str;
egv. In later years George recalled his exp
rience of roughing it in the Shenandoah VI
lev with great pleasure. This work was su
| denly interrupted by sickness in the famil
Lawrence, his half-brother, was i'll and the ph
sicians sent him to the West Indies. Geor'
went along to keep him company, only to
taken with smallpox. Although .Lawren
started for home, he died after his return.
This was a great shock to George, for Il
brothers were exceedingly devoted; but t
sting Of this loss was partly forgotten by
commission to go to the French who we
building forts on English territory. He W