Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-19
An Interview With
Washington, -.

separated from his father, and falls
into the hands Of the Americans. His
father afterward embraces the patriot
cause, and his son is restored to him
through the medium Of Washington,
as shown in the following extract
Maurice was informed that Gen.
Washington was there, showing the
works to Gen Lafayette, and his heart
began to fiutter and thump within
him.
Barney was sitting beside him, look
ing at his master with bright and loy-
ing eyes, his little black nose culver
ing. ...-
Barney" said the boy, we're afraid
but we're not going to stop II we
are" ..2 ......
Picking up the dog, he took his way
through the rustling leaves that lay
like heaps of gold toward the house
which one Of the soldiers, from whom
Maurice ventured to ask for directions,
had pointed out to him.
Eyes, Gen. Washington is there and
alone" he was told.
Could he see him?
"Sure, no, We little bye" said the
Irish sentry. TITS wore out the poor
gintleman Is already; and it's mesif
wouldn't bother with all thin jabber-
ing Frenchmen!"
Maurice was desperate.
ooh, please" he said, BEG. Barney!
You beg, too"
The little dog sat up at once with
dropping paws.
"Sure, me own names Barney. And
is your dogs name O'Riley, too?' said
the sentry. ..Ie .. 49,.
ooh, If he is your namesake," ex-
claimed Maurice, "you must let him IN!
Oh, see you can hold him while l 90
I'M" Maurice thought no one could
resist such an. offer.
'Tll see," said the soldier, and he
stepped within, and, returning, said,
go on"
Maurice yielded up Barney, and
stepped into the hall, went along 1t,
and paused just inside an open door.
He was trembling. A voice said,
"What is your errand?"-a voice even,
grave, and rather severe.
Maurice raised his eyes. Just be-
fore the fireplace stood the great COM
mander. To the boys excited thought
he seemed even larger than he was.
Washington's hands were behind his
back his handsome head bent little
forward.
What is your errand, my lad?' said
he again, with note Of command IN
the tone. E
ooh. my father,-my father!" he
said. Fl have been lost from him 80
very long,"
Something in the thrilling child's
voice, something in the piteous ana
forlorn expression of his face, went
straight to the warm heart that the
general carried beneath his calm ex-
terror. He crossed the room IN quick
strides, and, laying his hand on the
boys shoulder, said kindly
"My poor child"
This was too much. Maurice had
borne bravely the long strain OF wait
ing. the repeated disappointments; but
the unexpected sympathy broke down
his self-possession. He put his head
in the crook Of his arm, and sobs came
fast,-sobs that shook him from head
to foot. The general drew him aside,
sat down in an armchair, and taxing
the little hanging hand in both his
own, said, "There, there, stop crying
and tell me all about It," f
Maurice choked down his sobs and
told his story. At his fathers name
the general rose quickly.
Colonel Terraine's son! Why, then
your father was here a short Time
ago. He may be upstairs now!'
Maurice forget even the great chief
and sprang for the door. But Wash
ington caught him by the arm.
"My dear boy, he does not know! !
will co." -
Maurice stood still in the center OF
the room and pressed his hands nara
together. The general went out ana
upstairs. 1t seemed to Maurice that
he stepped very slowly.
Col. Terraine sat In an upstairs
room. writing. He laid, down his pen
and rose as the general entered.
Colonel" said Washington, i
have some wonderful news for you
He paused. The officer took step
forward, and opened his lips, but did
not speak.
"Come downstairs with me" con
tinued the general slowly, and re-
member as you go, that passage In
the scriptures, But the father said
Let us be merry, for this my son.
Col Terraine caught the back OF a
chair" for this my son. went on
the sweet. grave voice, "'was dead
and is alive again; he was lost and is
-found!
Col. Terraine stood an instant with
wide, questioning eyes, Ihen ne
rushed through the doorway .ano
down the stairs. The general follow
ed him quickly. There was a loud cry
as the colonel entered the room, and
Maurice sprang into his fathers arms
Gen. Washington closed the door and
stood guard over it himself. Barney
having escaped from the soldier, tore
in: and the general stopped from his
great height to pat the little dog. 4
Barney had been man he Woulo
have seen that there we're tears In
the bright blue eyes.-sara King
Wiley in St. Nicholas.