The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-03-21

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 inconvenience, had borne what
ever came in his way very cheerily,
with that wholesome 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 1t was, Lawrence's death put a
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 a con-
| fdence
Becomes 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 for him, though
he was but nineteen, commission as
major and district adjutant in his
stead; and after his return in 1852.
Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie, the
crowns new representative in Vir-
! ginia, added still further to his re-
sponsibilities as a soldier by reducing
the military district of the colony to
four, and assigning him one Of the
four, under renewed commission as
major and adiutant-ge 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 &C
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 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
la militia might any day see an enc
OF that everlasting peace" which
good Mr.. Beverley had smiled to see
them complacently enjoy, and that
the young major, who was now adiu
tant-general of the northern division
might find duties abroad even more
serious and responsible than his du
ties at home.
War Was Inevitable.
Whoever should be commissioned
to meet and deal with the French up
on the western rivers would have t.
handle truly critical affairs, decisiv,
of the fate Of the continent, and Il
locked as II Virginia must undertake
the fateful business. The northern
borders, indeed, were sadly harriet
by the savage allies Of the French
the brunt Of the fighting hitherto hat
fallen upon the hardy militiamen o
Massachusetts, and Connecticut in tn,
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 GU
the thickly set English population, al
ready established, hundreds of thou
sands strong, upon the eastern coasts