The Ordway new era., 1913-10-10

ericksburg to see his aged mother;
and not many visitors. though they
were his near neighbors. could reach
him at Mount Vernon.
In FaneIed Retirement.
AT length, my dear Marquis" he
could write to Lafayette in his secur-
ity, Il am become private citizen on
the banks OF the Potomac; and under
the shadow of my own vine and my
own fig tree, free from the hustle OF
camp and the busy scenes OF pub
lie life, / am solacing myself with
those tranquil enjoyments OF which
the soldier, who Is ever in pursuit OF
fame, the statesman. whose watchful
days and sleepless nights are spent in
devising schemes to promote the well
fare Of his own. perhaps the ruin OF
other countries. as If this globe was
insuffi cient for us all, and the courtier,
who is always watching the counten-
ance of his prince. can have very little
conception. l have not only retired
from all public employments. but l am
retiring within myself. Envi'
GUS Of none, I am determined to be
pleased with all; and this, my dear
friend. being the order of my march.
will move gently down the stream OF
time until sleep with my fathers"
The simple gentleman did not yet
realize what the breaking up OF the
frosts would bring.
With the spring the whole life OF
the world seemed to come pouring In
upon Washington.
Men OF note everywhere pressed
their correspondence upon him; no
stranger visited America but thought
first of Mount Vernon in planning
where he should go and what he
should see; new friends and old sat
every day at his table: a year and a
half had gone by since his home-com,
ing before he could note in his diary
(June 30. 17s5): "Dined with only
Mrs. Washington. which. believe. Ia
the first instance of 1t since my re-
tirement from public life"-for some
visitors had broken their way even
through the winter roads.
All Roads Lead to Mount Vernon.
Authors sent him what they wrote: /:
inventors submitted their ideas and
models to him: everything that was
being said, everything that was being
done, seemed to find its way. II no
where else. to Mount Vernon-till
those who knew his occupations could
speak Of Washington. very Justly. Al
the focus Of political intelligence for
the new world"
He would not alter his way of liv-
ing even in the face OF such over.
whelming interruptions.
Sticks to His Business.
His guests saw him for little aft
er dinner, and once and again. II
might be. in the evening also; but he
kept to his business throughout all
the working hours Of the day; was
at his desk even before breakfast
and after breakfast was always early
in the saddle and of to his farms.
Only at table did he play the host.
lingering over the wine to give and
call for toasts and relax in genial con-
versation. losing. as the months pass
ed by. some Of the deep gravity that
had settled upon him In the camp. and
showing once more an enjoying relish
for "a pleasant story. an unaffected
sally Of wit, or a burlesque descrip-
tion." as in. the old days after hunt
ing.
Strangers In Awe Of Him.
Strangers were often in awe OF him.
1t did not encourage talk in those who
had little to say to sit in the presence
OF man who SO looked his greatness
in the very proportions of his strong
figure even, and whose grave and
steady eyes SO challenged the Bignif.
canoe of what was said.
Young people would leave OF dan.
cling and romping when he came into
the room, and force him to withdraw.
and peep at the fun from without the
door. unobserved.
1t was only among his intimates
that he was suffered and taken to be
the simple, straightforward. sympa.
thizing man he was. exciting. not awe.
but only warm and affectionate al.
legiance. THE General with few
glasses Of champagne, got quite mer-
ry." a young Englishman could report
who had had the good luck to be in
troduced by Richard Henry Lee, "and.
being with his intimate friends, laugh.
ed and talked good deal"
Resumes His Old Life.
As much as he could. he resumed
the old life. and the thoughts and
pastimes that had gone with It.
Once more he became the familiar
of his hounds at the kennels. and fol.
lowed them as often as might be In
the hunt at sunrise. He asked but
one thing OF horse, as Of old, "and
that was to go along. He ridiculed
the idea that he could be unhorsed.
provided the animal kept on his legs" ="
The two little children. tiny boy
and a romping. mischievous lassie,
not much bigger. whom ne had adopt
ed at Jack Custis' death-bed. took
strong hold upon his heart, and grew
slowly to an intimacy with him such
aa few yentured to claim any longer