The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-08-01

believed a word against him; and l
found that he was old Hoss' still"
Twas the same with his neighbors'
and with strangers too. He was the
simple gentleman of the old days. A
strolling actor, riding Mount Vernon
way on day in July, stopped to help
a man and woman who had been
thrown from their chaise, and did not
recognize the stalward horseman VINO
galloped up to his assistance till the
overturned vehicle had been set up
again, they had busted each the other
coat, and the stately stranger, saying
he had had the pleasure of seeing him
play in Philadelphia, had hidden him
come to the house yonder and be re-
freshed. Have l the honor of ad-
dressing General Washington? ex-
claimed the astonished player. An
odd sort of introduction, Mr.. Bernard"
smiled the heated soldier; "but | am
pleased to find you can play so active
a part in private, and without a
prompter."
Those who saw him now at Mount
Vernon thought him gentler with lit
tie children than Mrs. Washington
even, and remembered how he had al
ways shown a like love and tender
ness for. them, going oftentimes out of
his way to warn them of danger, with
a kindly pat on the head, when he
saw them watching the soldiers in the
war days. Now all at Mount Vernon
looked forward to the evening. That
was the children's hour"
He had written sweet Nelly GUSTS
a careful letter of advice upon love
matters, half grave, half playful in
the midst of his presidency, when thf
troubles with England were beginnir =
to darken; she had always found hi
a comrade, and had loved him with
intimacy very few could know. Nc1l
she was to be married, to his on
sisters son, and upon his birthday
February %, 1899 She begged him
to wear the grand embroidered uni
FORM" just made for the French war,
at her. wedding, but he shook his head
and donned instead the worn buff and
blue that had seen real campaigns.
Then the delighted girl told him, with
her arm about his neck, that she loved
him better in that.
Death Of Washington.
The quiet days went by without in
cident He served upon petty jury
Of the county when summoned; and
was more than content to be the sim
pie citizen again, great duties put by,
small ones diligently resumed.
Once and again his anger famed at
perverse negiects and tasks ill done.
Even while he was president, he had
stormed to find his horses put to the
chariot with unpublished hoofs upon a
day Of ceremony.
But old age, and the consciousness
of a lifework done, had added serenity
now to his self-control; and at last the
end came, when he was ready.
On the 18th of December, 1899, he
was chilled through by the keen winds
and cold rain and sleet that beat upon
him as he went his round about the
farms. He spent the evening cheerful
ly, listening to his secretary read; but
went to bed with gathering hoarse-
ness and cold, and woke in the night
sharply stricken in his throat.
Physicians came almost at dawn,
but the disease was already beyond
their control. Nothing that they tried
could stay it; and by evening the end
had come. He was calm the day
through. as in time of battle: know
ing what betided, but not fearing 1t;
steady, noble, warrior figure to the
last; and he died as those who loved
him might have wished to see him die.
The country knew him when he was
dead: knew the majesty, the nobility.
the unsullied greatness of the man
who was gone, and knew not whether
to mourn or give praise. He could
not serve themN any more; but they
saw his light shine already upon the
future as upon the past. and were
glad
They knew, him now the Happy War
rior,
w nose powers sne0 rouno hftn' al
the common strife
Or mild concerns Of ordinary@life,
A constant influence. a peculiar grace;
But who, If he be called upon to face
Some awful moment to which Heaven
has joined
Great Issues. good or bad for hui
mankind.
Is happy as q Lover; and sttired
With sudden brightness, like Altman
inspired;
And, through the heat Of conflict,
keeps the law
In calmness made. and sees what ne
foresaw.
A soul whose master,bias leans
To homefelt pleasures and to gentle
scenes;
.
More brave for this, that he hath much
to love-
the man who. lifted high.
CH--.~t.r~4.A ~At~nt 4n n nnthon.1 eye.