The Ordway new era., 1913-06-13

household with true Virgln1an pune
tilio rather than refuse an invitation
to dinner. had taken the infection,
and had come home at last bearing
some permanent marks of a three
weeks sharp illness upon him. But
he had had entertainment enough to
strike the balance handsomely against
such inconveniences, had borne what
ever came in his way very cheerfly.
with that wholesome strength Of mind
which made older men like him. and
would have come OF remembering
nothing but the pleasure Of the trip
had his noble brother only found his
health again.
As 1t was. Lawrence's death put
final term to his youth. Five other
executors were named in the Will;
but George, as 1t turned out, was to
be looked to to carry the burden OF
administration. and gave full PROOF OF
the qualities that had made his broth
er trust him with SO generous . con-
fidence.
Becomes q Major Of Militia.
His brothers death, in truth.
changed everything for him. He
.
rence's representative. Before they
set out for the Bahamas Lawrence
had transferred to him his place In
the militia, obtaining for him, though
he was but nineteen, commission as
major and district adjutant In his
stead; and after his return in 1762.
Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie. the
crowns new representative in Vir-
ginia, added still further to his re-
sponsibilities as q soldier by reducing
the military district of the colony to
four. and assigning him one Of the
four. under a renewed commission as
major and adjutant-general. His
brothers will not only named him an
executor. but also made him residuary
legatee of the estate OF Mount Yer
non In case his child should die. He
had to look to the discipline and ac-
coutrement of the militia of eleven
counties. aid his mother In her busi-
ness. administer his brothers estate.
and assume on all hands the duties
and responsibilities of a man of af-
fairs when he was but Just turned OF
twenty.
The action Of the colonial govern
ment in compacting the organization
and discipline of the militia by reduc-
ing the number Of military dis
tricts was significant of a sinis-
ter change In the posture of af-
fairs beyond the borders. The
movements of the French in the west
had Of late become more ominous
than ever; twas possible the Virgin
mi mil Aoo a
OF that everlasting peace" which
good Mr.. Beverley had smiled to see
them complacently enjoy. and that
the young major, who was now adju.
tant-general of the northern division.
might find duties abroed even more
serious and responsible than his du.
ties at home.
War Was Inevitable.
Whoever should be commissioned
on the western rivers would have to
handle truly critical affairs. decisive
Of the fate OF the continent, and 1t
locked as II Virginia must undertake
the fateful business. The northern
borders, indeed. were sadly harried
by the savage allies of the French:
the brunt Of the fighting hitherto had
fallen upon the hardy militiamen Of
Massachusetts and Connecticut in the
slow contest for English mastery up
on the continent. But there was real
ly nothing to be decided In that quar-.
ter.
The French were not likely to at
tempt the mad task of driving out
the thickly set English population. al
ready established. hundreds Of thou.
sands strong. upon the eastern coasts.