The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1911-02-16

Of our country arst saw
the light Of day. and Ill
years ago on the 18th Of
last December he looked
~ his last on The land
kaIAN which he had made .
h Nal free and Independent
country.
Since then the na-
don each year has marked the
date Of his birth In various ways.
Arst by holding religious ceremo-
aiss in the churches throughout
the land at which the pastors. many
Of whom had fought under the great
oo0nander or had known him in pri-
vats lfe. talked feslingly about the
big heart and the broad soul Of the
departed hero; then ~ the years roll.
- aIoag and those who knew Wash.
ingtoa had Joined him in the silence
tAs day was marked By . hreat ny-
ing of bunting and waving Of haEs and
playing Of bands and parading Of SOL
diers. Still later the day was held
a. . national holiday on which the
banks were closed and the schools
gave entertainments at which patriot.
ic songs were sung. hery speeches
made. and the great deeds Of our
first president reoounted in dramatic
manner: now the day 10 still na-
uonal holiday. but the schools are
closed and churches. charitable organ
izations, clubs and individuals make
the occasion an excuse for giving colo
nial teas, Washington birthday par
tics. hatchet suppers or revolutionary
kys. The shop windows are full Of
hatchsts. 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 nnd that from
174S to the date Of his death, Feb
ruary a., q day Of importance not only
to Washington but to his friends and
all those who did him service.
When Washington was Is years old
he wrote for his own use 10 maxims
Of civility and good behavior and add
Cd one resolution which read: RE
solved, that on the 22nd day Of Febru.
ary, the day on which l 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 .
little space"
From 1745 until tho 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
erly two miles to the farm from
which they had escaped and, finding
the farmer laid up with rheumatism,
set to work to 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 George
slept the sleep Of the righteous that
night, for his resolution was working
splendidly.
Several years later he wrote to q
school chum early on the morning Of
the 22d of February: This day en-
ter upon q new epoch-the year
stretches before me-for what? Only
he who benefits his fellow-man has the
right to enjoy the Elories Of life.
shall endeavor to commence my new
year clear from debt In this respect"
There ID no record how the day was
marked in 1S4S. but Judging from the
tone of the letter his life was fuller by
several good deeds.
Some Personal Remembrances Of
Washington" tells how, on February
n. 1851, he hired some half dozen
sleighs, rented hall, and gave all
the young people of Mount Vernon,
where he was then visiting his broth
er, Capt. Lawrence Washington. flne
afternoon and evening frolic, with .
big spread" to crown the event. To
his party" were invited not the young
bloods Of Washington's own class. but
those less favored, and 1t 10 recorded
that although they stood about In shy
ness at frst, It did not take 0eorgs
many minutes to set The fun going.
1t was on the following year that
Nshington made his only ocean W.