The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-03-28

Braves the SMALLPOX.

lie had braved the smallpox in one
household with true Virginian pune
tiliO rather than refuse an invitation
Go 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 Inconvenience, had borne what
ever came in his way very cheerily.
with that wholeome strength of mind
which made older men like him. and
would have come off remembering
nothing but the pleasure of the. trip
had his noble brother only found his
health again.
As II was. Lawrence's death put a
final term 10 his youth Five other
executors were named in the will:
but George. as it turned out, was to
Be looked 20 70 carry the burden Of
administration. and gave full proof of
the qualities that had made his broth
or trust h.Ia with so generous a con-
ndence.
5eesmss a Major of Militia.
His brothers death. In truth.
changed everything for him. He
seemed Of a sudden to stand as Law
rence's representative. Before they
set out for the Bahamas Lawrence
had transferred to him his place in
the militia obtaining fer him. though
he was but nineteen a commission as
major and district adjutant in his
stead, and after his return in 1852,
Lieutenant Governor Dinwldie, the
crowns new representative in Vir-
Einia. added Sun further TO his re-
eponsibihties as a soldier by reducing
the military district of the colony TO
four. and assigning him one Of the
four. under q renewed commission as
major and adiutantgeueral His
brothers will not only named him an
executor, but also made him residuary
iegatee of the estate OF Mount Yer
non In case his child should die. He
had 20 look 10 the discipline and ac-
coutrement of the militia of eleven
counties. aid his mother in her bust
ness. administer his brothers. estate
and assume on all hands the duties
and responsibilities of man of af-
fairs when he was but just turned Of
twenty.
The action of the colonial govern
ment In compactng the organization
and discipline of the militia bv reduc-
ing the number of military dis
tricts was significant of a SIMS
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
Ia militia might any day see an end
OF That everlasting peace" which
good MIR Beverley had smiled to see
them complaceuty enjoy. and that
the young major. who was now adiu-
tahtgeneral OF the northern division.
might find duties abroad even more
serious and responsible than his du.
ties al home.
War Was Inevitable.
Whoever should be commissioned
ca meet and deal with the French IN
on the western rivers would have TO
handle truly critical affairs. decisive
81 the fate OF the continent, and it
looked as II Virginia must undertake
the tatetul business The northern
borders, indeed, were sadly harried
% the savage allies of the French;
the brunt Of the lighting 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
~ nothing 10 be decided in that quar-.
ser
The French were not likely to at
tempt the mad task OF driving out
me thickly 81 Ergllsh population, al