The labor world., 1913-04-12
An Affair Of the Heart.

An Affair Of the Heart.
In New York he fell into a 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 a 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 175S 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
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
docks 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rot, the French had withdrawn; moth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.
It had been almost 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 large detachment had come
from DuQuesne to test and reconnoiter
his force: Colonel Mercer of tho Vir-
ginia line, had been ordered forward
with a party to meet them.
He stayed so long. and the noise of
the firing came back with so doubt
full a. meaning to the anxious ears at
the camp, that Washington hastened
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, ard struck up the
smoking muzzles with his sword
Twas through no prudence Of his that
he was not shot,
French Power Ends.
For a long time his friends had felt
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,
land render yourself incapable of serv-
ing the public at a 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
It 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 hoQne and pleas
ure the more grateful and full o1
Eest.
An Accidental Meeting.
On May day In 1883, as he spurret
upon the way to Williamsburg, under
orders from the frontier, Washingtor
rode straight upon an adventure he
had not looked for.
He was within few miles, ride q;
the little capital; old plantations lay
close upon the way; neighborly homes
began to multiply; and 80 striking {
horseman riding uniformed and unat
tended, could not thereabouts 20 fa]
unrecognized. He was waylaid ant
hailed to dinner, despite excuses an<
protests Of public business calling TO-
dispatch. There was charmin,
woman to be seen at the house, hi
friend told him, If a good dinner wa
not argument enough-and his bust
ness could not spoil for an hours sta,
In agreeable company. And so, of
sudden, under constraint of virginia.
hospitality, he was hurried into tn
presence Of the gracious young matro1
Who was at once, and as if of right, t,
make his heart safe against furthe
quest of adventure.
Martha Custis was but six-and-twen
b. To the charm Of youth and beaut
were added that touch of quiet sweet