Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1911-02-16

Low W. free and independent
ltS-SS country.
Since then the ma
tion each year has marked the
date of his birth in various ways,
first by holding religious ceremo-
nies in the churches throughout
the land at which the pastors, many
of whom had fought under the great
commander or had known him in prt-
vate life, talked feelingly about the
big heart and the broad soul of the
departed hero; then as the years roll
ed along and those who knew Wash
lngton had joined him in the silence
the day was marked by fireat fly
Ing of bunting and waving Of flags and
playing of bands and parading of sol
diers. Still later the day was held
as a national holiday on which the
banks were closed and the schools
gave entertainments at which patriot
ic songs were sung, fiery speeches
made, and the great deeds of our
first president recounted in dramatic
manner; now the day is still a ma
tional holiday, but the schools are
closed and churches, charitable organ
lZations, clubs and individuals make
the occasion an excuse for giving colo
nial teas, Washington birthday par
ties, hatchet suppers or revolutionary
plays. The shop windows are full of
hatchets, miniature cherry trees,
cooked hats, and cherries, zeal, can
died and for decorative purposes.
All this display and fun and frolic
makes the thinker wonder how George
Washington kept the day, and the in
vestigator who takes the pains to look
into the matter will find that from
1745 to the date of his death, Feb
ruary %, a day of importance not only
to Washington but to his friends and
all those who did him service.
When Washington was 13 years old
he wrote for his own use 10 maxims
of civility and good behavior and add.
ed one resolution which read: RE
solved, that on the 22nd day of Febru.
ary, the day on which | was given the
gift of consciousness, / will each year
do some good deed or deeds, as many
as come within my power, to show my
gratitude for the life given me for a
little space"
From 1745 until the date of his
death Washington never broke the res
olution made on his thirteenth birth
day. On this first anniversary OF
which there is any record he tramped
fourteen miles, seven there and seven
home again, TO the house of an aged
woman who had been kind to his
mother during an illness. carrying a
large package of provisions and re
naming for several hours to stack her
woodpile and build her fire.
Later In the day he drove two cows
nearly two miles 10 the farm from
which they had escaped and. finding
the farmer laid up with rheumatism
set 20 work 10 mend the pasture
fence, and so keep the cows at home
He returned at night to a good sup
per. and the evening was passed IN
merriment No doubt young Georg,
slept the sleep OF the righteous that
night. for his resolution was working
splendldly.
fH'FfNA ~ yam Aahfi iAt HtbAR ~
school chum early on the morning o
the 22d Of February: This day I en-
ter upon new epoch-the yea
stretches before me-ior what? Onl,
be who benefits his fellow man has th'
right to enjoy the glories OF life.
shall endeayor TO commence my new
year clear from debt In this respect"
There Is no record how the day wal
marked la lsts. but Judging from th'
tone Of The letter his life vas fuller b.
several good deeds
Some Personal Remembrance a
Washington. tells how. on February
22 1851 be hired some half dozei
slslghs. rented IA hall. and gave al
the young people II Mount Vernon
where be was then visiting his broth
er Capt Lawrence Washington. ma
afternoon gHd eFeulug ffolio. with
liE spread "a crown the event u
lla party were Invited NOT the youul
hloasia of Washington own clAaa. hu
those less favored Hnd n l. fseorde,
that although they stood about ta ahy
ness ~ nfst it dit uaf taks GrafRi
mRny ulnuiea ~ tet The fan ssirs
O. was 20 the following year aha
Wsshlas.s4 made bic aHi} oesal SOD