The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-05-13

T..
colonel in his twenties.
But o single light lies upon the
picture. Early in 1776, ere the sum-
mer's terrors had come upon the
border, and while he could be
spared, Washington took horse and
made his way to Boston to see Gov
ernor Shirley, now acting as command
er-in-chief in the colonies, and from
him at first hand obtained settlement
Of that teasing question Of rank that
had already driven the young officer
once from the service. He went very
bravely bright In proper uniform of
bun and blue, q white-and-scarletc cloak
upon his shoulders, the sword at his
side knotted with red and gold, his
horses fittings engraved with the
washington arms, and trimmed In the
best style of the London saddlers.
With him rode two aides in their uni
forms, and two servants in their white
and-scarlet livery.
Curious folk who looked upon the
celebrated young officer upon the road
saw him fare upon his way with all
the pride of an admirable Virginia
gentleman, a handsome man, and an
admirable horseman-a very gallant
figure, no one could deny. Everywhere
he was feted as he went; everywhere
he showed himself the earnest, high
strung. achieving youth he was.
An Affair Of the Heart.
In New York he fell into new am
bush, from which he did not come of
without a wound. His friend Beverly
Robinson must needs have Miss Mary
Phillipse at his house there, a beauty
and an heiress, and Washington came
away from her with a sharp rigor at
his heart. But he could not leave
that desolate frontier at nome unpro-
tected to stay for siege of lady's
heart; he had recovered from such
wounds before, had before that left
pleasure for duty; and in proper sea-
son, was back at his post, with papers
from Shirley which left no doubt
who should command in Virginia.
At last, in 1853, the end came, when
William Pitt thrust smaller men aside
and became prime minister in Eng
land. Amherst took Louisbourg, Wolfe
came to Quebec and General Forbes,
that stout and steady soldier. was
sent to Virginia to go against Du-
quesne. The advance was slow to
evaporation in the view of every ard
ent man like Washington, and eau
tious almost to timidity; but the very
delay redounded to it's success at last.
Home for the Winter.
Twas November before Duquesne
was reached. The Indians gathered
there, seeing winter come on, had not
waited to meet them and the French
by that time knew themselves in dan
ger Of being cut off by the English op-
erations in the north. When Forbes
forces, therefore, at last entered those
fatal woods again, where Brad
decks slaughtered men had lain to
rot, the French had withdrawn; moth
ing remained but to enter the smok-
ing ruins of their abandoned fort, hoist
the kings flag, and rename the post
Fort Pitt; and Washington turned
homeward again to seek the rest he
SO much needed.
A Hazardous Feat.
1t had been almost a bloodless cam
paign. but such danger as it had
brought Washington had shared to
the utmost. The French had not
taken themselves off without at least
one trial of the English strength.
While yet Forbes lay within the noun
tains a large detachment had come
from Duquesne to test and reconnoiter
his force Colonel Mercer of the vir-
ginia line, had been ordered forward
with party to meet them.
4 He stayed so long, and the noise Of
the firing came back with SO doubr
full meaning to the anxious ears at
the camp, that Washington fastened
with volunteers to his relief. In the
dusk the two bodies Of Englishmen
met. mistook each other for enemies
exchanged deadly fire, and were
checked only because Washington
rushed between their lines, even while
their pieces blazed, cried his hot com
mands to stop. and struck up the
smoking muZzles with his sword.
Twas through no prudence of his that
he was not shot.
French Power Ends.
For long time his friends had felt
a deep uneasiness about his health.
They had very earnestly besought him
not to attempt new campaign. "You
will in all probability bring on a re-
lapse. George Mason had warned him.
"and render yourself incapable of serv-
ing the public at time when there
may be the utmost occasion There
is nothing more certain than that a
gentleman of your station owes the
care of his health and his life not only
to himself and his friends, but to his
country. But he had deemed the
nearest duty the most imperative; and
1t was only after that duty was dis
posed of that he had turned from
the field to seek home and new pleas
ures along with new duties. The win
ter brought news from Quebec of the
fall Of, the French power in America,
which made rest and home and pleas
ure the, more grateful and full Of
zest.
An Accidental Meeting.
On a May day in 1853, as he spurred