The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-08-01

Inc MEMBERS OF the new CS-SleSS
were so laggard in coming together
that it was the 9Th of April, 1888, be-
fore both houses could count a
quorum, though the 4th of March had
been appointed the day for their con-
yening.
Washington Notified.
Their first business was the opening |
and counting of the electoral votes; |
and on the 7th Charles Thomson, the /
faithful and sedulous gentleman who
had been clerk of every congress
since the first one in the old colonial
days fifteen years ago, got away on
his long ride to Mount Vernon to NO
tify Washington of his election.
Affairs waited upon the issue Of his
errand Washington had for long
known what was coming, and was
ready and resolute, as of old.
There had been no formal nornina-
tions for the presidency, and the votes
of the electors had lain under seal till
the new congress met and found
quorum; but 1t was an open secret
who had been chosen president, and
washington Hdu lhduo uP hao A'AAA1N
what to do.
Bida His Mother Farewell.
Mr.. Thomson reached Mount Yer
non on the 14th, and found Washing
ton ready to obey his summons at
once.
He waited only for a hasty ride to
Fredericksburg to bid his aged mother
farewell.
She was not tender in the parting
Her last days had come. and she had
| set herself to bear with grim resolu-
ton the fatal disease that had long
been upon her. She had never been
tender. and these latter days had add
ed their touch of hardness.
But it was tonic to her son TO
take her farewell, none the less to
hear her once more bid him God
speed, and once more command him,
as she did, to his duty.
On the morning of April Is Wash
ington took the northern road as SO
often before, and pressed forward on
the way for New York.
The setting out was made with a
very heavy heart, for duty had never
seemed to him SO unattractive as il
seemed now, and his difference had
never been SO distressing.
+ For myself the delay may be com
pared tc a reprieve,' he had written te
Knox, when he learned how slow con
gress was in coming together, "for II
confidence tell you that my move
ments to the chair of government viii
be accompanied by feeling not unlike
those of culprit who is going to thu
place OF execution"
Departs with Heavy Heart.
, When the day for his departure
. came, his diary spoke the same heavi
ness of heart. About ten O'Clock,
he wrote, II bade adieu to Mount Vel
non. to private life, and to domesti
felicity; and with mind oppresse
with more anxious and painful sense
lions than I have words to express, Sc
: out for New York"
). He did not doubt that he was dom
right; he doubted his capacity in civ
affairs, and loved the sweet retiremen
and the free life he was leaving b.
hind him.
: Grief and foreboding did not in tn
least relax his proud energy an
promptness in action. He was not
{ whit the less resolute to attempt thi
: new role. and stretch his powers to tn
!. uttermost to play it in rpasterful fasl
ion.
He was only wistful md full OF
I sort OF manly sadness; lacking ne
resolution, but only alacrity.
Obliged to Borrow Money.
: He had hoped TO the last that
:, would be suffered to spend the rest I
= his days at Mount Vernon; he kne
= the place must lack efficient keepin
and fall once more out of repair u
der hired overseers; he feared b
strength would be spent and his la
T. years come ere he could return to loo
le to it and enjoy 1t himself again.
He had but just now been obliged
n borrow a round sum of money to me
N pressing obligations; and the expens'
a Of this very journey had made it nece
sary to add full hundred pounds
!, taat new debt
d, CTO BE CONTRIB ED