Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-02-18
WAsHlNeToN's VISION.
The Revolutionary Veterans Mystic
Tale.

Sherman was on the 4th of July
1859, in independence Square He
was then ninety-one, and becoming
very feeble; but though so old, his
dimming eyes rekindled as he looked
at Independence Hall, which, he said
he had come to gaze upon once more
before he was gathered home
What time is it?" he said, rails
ing his trembling eyes to the clock
in the steeple, and endeavoring to
shade the former with shaking
hand-"what time is it? l can't see
SO we'll as l used to-"
'Half-past three"
Come, Them he continued, 'let
us go into the hail. I want to tell
you an incident of Washington's life
one which no one alive knows ex-
cept myself, and if you live, you will
see it verified
Reaching the visitors room, in
which the sacred relics of our early
days are preserved, we sat down up
on one of the old-fashioned wooden
benches, and my venerable friend
related to me the following singular
narrative, which from the popularity
of our national affairs at the present
time, l have been induced to give to
the world. | give it, as nearly as
possible, in his own words:
when the bold action of our Con
gress in asserting the independence
of the colonies, became known to the
world, we were laughed and scoffed
at as silly, presumptuous rebels,
whom British grenadiers would soon
tame into submission; but undaunt-
edly we prepared to make good what
we had said. The keen encounter
came, and the world knows the re-
suit 1t is easy and pleasant for
those of the present generation to
talk and write of the days of seven
ty-six, but little they know-neither
can they imagine-the trials and
sufferings of those fearful days. And
there is one thing that l much fear,
and that is, that the American peo-
pie do not properly appreciate the
boon of freedom. Party spirit is
yearly becoming stronger, and I'M
less it is checked, will, at no distant
day, undermine and tumble into
ruins the noble structure of the re-
public. Let me hasten to my nara
tive.
From the opening of the Revolu-
ton, we experienced all phases of
fortune-now good and now i'll, at
one time victorious and another con-
quered. The darkest period we had;
however, was, | think, when Wash
ington, after several reverses, re-
treated to Valley Forge, where he
resolved to pass the winter of IT..
All! | have often seen the tears
coursing down our dear old command
er's cheeks as he would be convers-
ing with a confidential officer about
the condition of his poor soldiers.
You have doubtless heard the story
Of Washington going to the thicket
to pray. Well, it is not only true,
but he used often to pray in secret
for aid and comfort from that God
the interposition of whose divine
providence alone brought US safely
through those dark days of tribula-
ton.
"One day, | remember well-the
chilly wind Whistled and hoWled
through the leafless trees, though the
sky was cloudless and the sun shin
ing brightly-he remained i'll his
quarters nearly the whole Of the al
ternoon, alone When he came out
| noticed that his face was a shade
paler than usual, and that there
seemed to be something on his mind
of more than ordinary Importance
Returning just after dusk he dis
patched an orderly to the quarters
of the officer | mentioned, who was
presently in attendance. After pre-
liminary conversation, which lasted
some half an hour, Washington, gaZ
ing upon his companion with that
strange look of dignity which he al
one could command, said to the lat
ter:
"'I do not know whether it was
owing to the anxiety of my mind, OF
what, but this afternoon, as | was sit
ting at this very table engaged II
preparing a dispatch, something II
the apartment seemed to disturb me
Looking up, | beheld, standing ex
actly opposite me, a singular beau
tiful female So astonished was /
for | had given strict orders not &c
be disturbed-that it was some mo
ments before | found language tt
| inquire the cause of her presence
| A second, third and even fourth time
did | repeat the question, but re
Ceived no answer from my mystef
| ious visitor other than a slight rails
| ing of her eyes. By this time l fell
a strange sensation spreading through
me- | would have risen, but the rlv
eted gaze of the being before me-
| rendered volition impossible. | es
sayed once more to address her, bu
my tongue had become paralyzed
A new influence, potent. irresistible
took possession of me. All | coult
| do woo RI oa1o Staadilv yacantly a