The Washington herald., 1913-01-08

Mltnln a very IeW WeehS w
conclusively showed his capacity. In
March, l74s, with George Fairfax. Will
lam Fairfax's son, for company. he rode
forth with his little band OF assistants
through the mountains to the wild coun-
try. where his work Jay, and within the
month almost he was back again, with
maps and figures which showed his lord
ship very clearly what lands he had upon
the sparkling Shenandoah and the swol-
len upper waters OF the Potomac. 1t
was all he wanted before making his
home where his estate lay in the wilder
ness Before the year was out he had
established himself at ''Greenway Court;
huntsmen and tenants and guests had
found their way thither, and life was
fairly begun upon the rough rural bar
ony.
Likes His Work.
II had been wild and even perilous
work for the young surveyor. but just
out of school. to go in the wet spring
time into that wilderness, when the rivers
were swollen and ugly with the rains
and melting SHOWS from of the noun
tains, where there was scarcely a lodg-
ing to be had except in the stray, COM
fortress cabins of the scattered settlers,
or on the ground about a fire in the open
woods. and where a woodman's wits
were needed to come even tolerably on.
But there was a strong relish In such
an experience for Washington, which
did not wear off with the novelty of It
There Is an unmistakable note Of boytsh
satisfaction in the tone In which he
speaks of It
Since you received my letter in Octo-
Der last" he writes to young COM
rade. IT have not sleep'd above three
IN, hAd htIf altar walk
ing a good deal all the day. lay down
before the fire upon a little hay, straw,
fodder, or bear-skin. whichever is to be
had. with man, wife and children. like
a parcel Of dogs and cats, and happy
is he who gets the berth nearest the
fire ssssI have never had my clothes
off, but lay and sleep in them. except
the few nights l have lay'n In Frederics
Town.
For three years he kept steadily al
the trying business. without loss either
OF health of courage, now deep IN the
forests laboriously laying of the rich
bottom lands and swelling hill-sides OF
that wild but goodly country between
the mountains, now at "Greenway
Court with his lordship, intent upon the
busy life there following the hounds
consorting with huntsmen and Indians
and traders, waiting upon the ladies who
now and again visited the lodge: wher
other occupations failed. reading up and
down in his lordship's copy of the Spec
tator. or in the historians who told the
great English story.
Made OnciaI Surveyor.
His first success in surveying brought
him frequent employment in the valley
Settlers were steadily making their way
thither. who must needs have their hold
ings clearly bounded and defined Upon
his lordships recommendation and his
own showing of what he knew and could
do, he obtained appointment at the hands
OF the president and master Of William
and Mary. the colony's careful agent in
| the matter, as official surveyor for Cul'
pepper County, took the usual oaths &c
| his msjesty's person and government.
and so got for his work the privilege oi
authoritative public record.
Competent surveyors were much in de-
mand, and, when once he had been ON
cially accredited in his profession. Wash
ington had as much to do, both upor
| new lands and old, as even youut
| mans energy and liking for an inde
pendent income could reasonably de
| mand.
Lives at Mount vernon!
/ His home he made with his brother
| at Mount Vernon, where he was always
| so welcome; and he was as often as pos
/ sible with his mother at her place upor
the Rappahannock, to lend the efficien
\ lady such assistance as she needed II
the business OF the estate she held fol
herself and her children. At odd inter
walls he studied tactics, practiced tn
manual Of arms, or took turn at tn,
/ broadsword with the old soldiers who 81
easily found excuses for visiting Maj
Washington at Mount Vernon.
/ But, except when winter weather for
| bade him the fields. he was abroad. IA
| and near, busy with his surveying. an,
incidentally making trial Of his neigh
bors up and down all the country sid
L round about, as his errands threw thei
/ open doors In his way. His pleasan
1 bearing and his quiet satisfaction at be
ing busy, his manly, efficient ways. nj
evident self-respect. and his frank en-
/ joyment Of life. the engaging mixture Il
him of man and boy, must have becom
familiar to everybody worth KNOWN,
4 throughout all the Northern Neck.
But three years put a term to hi
surveying. In ls5f he was called i'm
'psrstively OF. ard had the whole eouys