The Washington herald., 1910-09-16
AS THE DAYS PASS.
n FRANCEs ~

its many associations. AS the lady
Of the party wore. proudly displayed.
the spinning-wheel badge Of the Daugh-
tiers. and the gentleman was adorned with
the Order Of the Cincinnati. the CONVEX
sation was as with authority" so I YIELD
ed to the temptation and frankly listened.
In effect the gentleman was saying that
all thinkers must approve Of the move
ment to keep alive knowledge Of mat
tiers pertaining to the history OF the
country at large, and our own Wash
lngton and vicinity in particular That
he had once heard a British brother seoff
at the idea OF Americans having any his
tory. that all events were OF such recent
happening here that they did not deserve
to come under such a caption. The
speaker thought that though the events
that have added to the nations fame
have not stretched over many centuries,
they have been, nevertheless, laid on
pretty thick, and. as the boys say. there
mas been something doing most OF the
time since Columbus set the pace. Now"
said my admired gentleman. the chill
dren Of those who took part in the affair
Of the Revolution, and wars and near
wars that followed soon after are so
proud OF the deeds that their fathers
have done that they are In no danger
OF forgetting. but these States Of ours
are in fact the melting pot OF the world
and thousands OF new peoples come to
US yearly. In the process Of time these
men and women, and particularly chill
dren. will be nodded into fine Americans.
and II they are to know the beautiful
story Of the building OF the republic,
under whose flag they are sheltered. il
is our duty 10 see that places and events
are so plainly recorded that when our
lips are dumb the story will still be told"
The Daughter" then took up the bur
den OF the tale. She showed great cour-
tesy in so long holding her tongue, I was
thinking.
What you say is very true, and I
beg leave to ask you why your order has
not put a marker on the grave OF the
famous old Bailey Washington. whose
services in the war OF 1872 are not yet
forgotten. II his grave in Congressional
Cemetery IS unmarked by the descen-
dants Of his brothers IN arms?"
Not having any answer ready to this
charge. evidently the first he had known
OF the omission. my nice man rushed
INTO another subject by saying:
AS 1 was about to remark. there was
one custom Of bygone times that is
worthy OF revival-that OF tolling the
bells Of steamers while passing Mount
Vernon. For many years It was never
omitted by any steamer Why discon-
unued now, no one seems to know. 7
can think Of no better work Tor YOU
Daughters than TO work for its revival"
The lacy mildly suggested II might
have saddening effect on those who
use the river for recreation and rest;
that the toll Of the bell in memory OF
the departed Washington would sound
odd mixed with strains OF THE Merry
Widow" waltz
That might re so" said my nice man.
but might & not be a good thing 70
give moments rest 10 flying feet, and
from the emotion OF gayety TO the emo
ton OF reverence and back again would
be a mental contrast that would do no
hurt. either spiritually or physically.
Probably all Of the thousands OF little
people who use the river boats would
have curiosity enough 10 ask why the
cell was rung in that strange way at
certain part Of the river, and a good
foundation for love OF history might be
lad right there in their young minds |
You know, Virginia has a parallel Gus
tom yet in vogue. When the locomotive |
driver knows he Is nearing Red Hill.
where the body OF Patrick Henry IS /
buried. his hand never fails 20 find the |
bell cord, and he rings in memory OF I
the States great son. Could any simple /
act make a greater daily impression. or |
be a better memorial OF those who for /
US fought q gUod fght""
The old gentleman exactly hit II when /
he spoke q the impression a tolling bell I
would make On a child hearing Il for the /
first time on the river. for can remem-
Der the time OF ny first trip down the |
Potomac. so long ego that no cars 20 |
the South entered tie city and pas
sengers had 20 go part Of he way on /
the Potomac and get the train on the /
Virginia shore. I was but feur years old, /
and no bit OF the Journey 90 remember /
but the tolling OF the bell as the boat /
passed Mount Vernon. The thrill OF the |
unexpected sound still stirs my menory.
and the story mother then gold me OF
The splendid boy and man who lived ana
died for HIS country and IN whose honor
this courtesy was rendered. even though /
{ was seventy-five years since he ceased /
10 1--we, was so vivid that the foundation /
IF my patriotism was laid right there.
How much OF the story took in then I
cannot tell, but I know the mention OF
Mount Vernon or the sudden toll Of a
bell brings back the memory Of the
Lrill that stirred my infant soul so long
,go.
The most interesting insignia Of the
Order OF the Cincinnati reminded me OF
small happening showing that prophets
nay easily be without honor IN their
'wn country. I stood on the CAPITOL
teps, watching the placing OF TEnfant's
'ody on the gun carriage before the
march to Arlington began. Probably the
NEST part Of the fine audience that had
AIKEN part in the service in belated honor
4 the brilliant creator OF the CITY
Beautiful" was the Ancient Order of the
cincinnati, one Of whom held a silk
amer that glistened in the sun. Near
ne were couple Of street boys, who
'ere much concerned with all the pro-
eedinCc and |