The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-07-04
GEORGE WASHINGTON
BY WOODROW WILSON
The Story Of The First President by The President

inventors submitted their IDEAS ano
models to him; everything that was
being said, everything that was being
done. seemed to find its way, if no.
where else, to Mount Vernon-till
those who knew his occupations could
speak of Washington. very justly, as
the focus of political intelligence for
the new world"
He would not alter his way of liv-
ing even in the face Of such over
whelming Interruptions
Sticks to His Business.
His guests saw him for little aft
ar dinner, and once and again, it
might be. in the evening also; but he
kept to his business throughout all
the working hours Of the day; was
at his desk even before breakfast.
and after breakfast was always early
n the saddle and off to his farms
Only at table did he play the host.
lingering over the wine to give and
call for toasts and relax in genial con-
versation losing. as the months pass
I'd by some of the deep gravity that
had settled upon him in the camp, and
showing once more an enjoying relish
for "a pleasant story. an unaffected
sally OF wit, or burlesque descrip-
tion," as in the old days after hunt
Ing.
Strangers in Awe of Him.
Strangers we're often in awe of him.
Il did not encourage talk in those who
had little to say to sit in the presence
Of a man who so looked his greatness
in the very proportions of his strong
figure even, and whose grave and
steady eyes so challenged the signi1-
canoe OF what was said
Young people would leave off dan
cling and romping when he came into
the room, and force him to withdraw,
and peep at the fun from without the
door. unobserved.
It was only among his intimates
that he was suffered and taken to be
the simple, straightforward, sympa-
thizing man he was, exciting. not awe,
but only a warm and affectionate al
legiance. 1.-The General with a few
glasses of champagne, got quite mer-
ry." young Englishman could report
who had had the good luck to be in
troduced by Richard Henry Lee, "and.
being with his intimate friends, laugh.
ed and talked a good deal"
Resumes His Old Life.
AS much as he could, he resumed
the old life, and the thoughts and
pastimes that had gone with it.
Once more he became the familiar
Of his hounds at the kennels, and fol-
lowed them as often as might be in
the hunt at sunrise. He asked but
one thing of horse, as of old, land
that was to go along. He ridiculed
the idea that he could be endorsed,
provided the animal kept on his legs"
The two little children, a tiny boy
and a romping, mischievous lassie,
not much bigger, whom he had adopt
ed at Jack Custis' death-bed, took
strong hold upon his heart, and grew
slowly to an intimacy with him such
as few ventured to claim any longer
amidst those busy days in the guest.
crowded house.
Lafayette's Word Picture.
It seemed to Lafayette a very en-.
gaging picture when he saw Washing
ton and the little toddling boy togeth-
era very little gentleman with a
feather in his hat. holding fast to one
finger of the good generals remark
able hand. which $50 large that
handD" was all the tiny fellow could
manage.
These children took Washington
back more completely than anything
else TO the old days when he had
brought his bride home with her own
little ones. He felt those days come
back. too. when he was on his horse
in the open, going the round of good
twelve miles and more that carried
him to all the quarters of his planta
ton.
Again a Farmer.
Once more he was the thorough
farmer. ransacking books, when men
and his own observation failed him.
10 come at the best methods of cult.
vatiOn. Once more he took daily &C.
count of the character of his slaves
and servants, and of the progress of
their work, talking with them when
he could. and gaining a personal mas.
terry over them.
Contracts for work he drew up with
his own hand, with a minuteness and
particularly which were sometimes
whimsical and shot through with a
CLEAN OF grim humor.
He agreed with Philip Barter that
If he would serve him faithfully as
gardener and keep sober at all other
times he would allow him -four dol
lars at Christmas, with which to be
drunk four days and four nights; two
dollars at Easter. to effect the same
purpose; two dollars at Whitsuntide
10 be drunk for two days; a dram in
the morning, and drink of grog at
dinner, at noon" and the contract