The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-18


great pleasure. This work was
suddenly interrupted by sickness
in the family. Lawrence, his half
brother, was i'll and the physicians
sent him to the West Indies.
George went along to keep him
company, only to be taken with
smallpox. Although Lawrence
started for home, he died after his
return.
This was a great shock to
George, for the brothers were ex-
ceedingly devoted; but the sting of
this loss was partly forgotten by
commission to go to the French
who were building forts on Eng
fish territory. He was made
major at the age of % and sent on
a perilous journey of oyer a thou
sand miles. He had many narrow
escapes in his journey over noun
tains, tording streams and through
forests where Indians lay in hid
ing. After his interview with the
French commander he started for
home. The journey back was
worse than going, for the rivers
were exceedingly treacherous.
The French governor refused to
heed English commands and con-
tinued to build forts, so George
Washington was appointed to COM
mand soldiers to march against the
French in the spring. This was
, the beginning of war between
the French and English, which
lasted seven years. Gen. Brad
dock was sent over from FL gland
and George was made a colonel
and commanded the Virginia
troops. Though Braddock was
capable general, he did not under
stand the art of fighting the In
dams and refused to heed young
Washington's advice. The gener-
al was shot in one of these engage
ments. With this the Redcoats
began to run, but Washington
tried to call them back. All dav
he was in the midst of the fight.
-Four bullets went through his coat
and TWO horses were shot under
him.
The war at an end, Washington
returned home. He was very an
xious to see his mother, whom he
had not seen in some time.
Though Mrs. Washington was not
a brilliant woman, she had plenty
Of good judgment and common
sense, and was always ready to
give her son wise counsel. Proud
though she was Other boy S energy
and desire to serve his country she
was careful not to spoil him by ex-
cessive praise. She loved to hear
of the hazards of war, but she en-
phasizod the dangers more than
her boys success.
Hardships and long fought cam
paigns had done much to impair
his health and he went to Viii
liamsburg to consult physician.
On this trip he met Mrs. Martha
Gusts, widow Of Daniel Parks
! Gusts, one of the wealthiest plan
tiers in the colony. They were
married some FIVE months later.
Very little is known of her except
that she was petite, pretty and ex-
ceedingly devoted to her husband.
She was very proud of his sue
cesses, and used all her energy to
make his trials as easy as she could.
1 There are those who attribute
Washington's first step upward to
his marriage. This is certainly
untrue, for he was on the road to
success when he married her.
Whenever Washington went on
long campaign his wife took up
headquarters where she might be
near him. These winterlngs grad
ually became a regular custom.
She seldom complained, although
She frequently had to put up with
inconvenient headquarters. When
Washington was chosen command
r-in,chief of the army he did not
accept the place with great eager