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

strong relish In such an experience
for Washington, which did not wear
off with the novelty of it. There is
an unmistakable note of boyish salts
faction in the tone in which he
speaks of 1t.
Since you received my letter in
October last" he writes to a young
comrade, II have not sleep'd above
three nights or four In a bed, but.
after walking good deal all the day,
/ lay down before the fire upon lit
tie hay, straw, fodder, or bear-skin,
whichever is to be had, with man,
wife and children, like a parcel of
dogs and cats, and happy is he who
gets the berth nearest the fire.
| have never had my clothes
off. but lay and sleep in them, except
the few nights / have layn in Fred
erick Town"
For three years he kept steadily at
the trying business, without loss
either of health or courage, now deep
in the forests laboriously laying off
the rich bottom lands and swelling
hill-sides of that wild but goodly coun-
try between the mountains, now at
"Greenway Court" with his lordship,
intent upon the busy life there.-fol-
lowing the hounds, consorting with
huntsmen and Indians and traders.
waiting upon the ladies who now and
again visited the lodge; when other
occupations failed, reading up and
down in his lordship's copy of the
Spectator. or in the historians who
told the great English story.
Made Official Surveyor.
His first success in surveying
brought him frequent employment in
the valley. Settlers were steadily
making their way thither, who must
needs have their holdings clearly
bounded and defined Upon his lord
ships recommendation and his own
showing Of what he knew and could
do, he obtained appointment at the
hands of the President and Master
of William and Mary, the colonys
careful agent in the matter, as official
surveyor for Culpepper county, took
the usual oaths to his majesty's per-
son and government" and so got for
his work the privilege of authorita-
tive public record.
| Competent surveyors were much in
demand, and, when once he had been
officially accredited in his profession,
Washington had as much to do both
upon new lands and old as even a
| young mans energy and liking for an
independent income could reasonably
| demand.
Lives at Mount Vernon.
His home he made with his brother
at Mount Vernon, where he was al
ways so welcome; and he was as
often as possible with his mother at
her place upon the Rappahannock, to
lend the efficient lady such assistance
as she needed in the business of the
estate she held for herself and her
children At odd intervals he studied
tactics. practiced the manual of arms
or took turn at the broadsword
with the old soldiers who so easily
found excuses for visiting Major
Washington at Mount Vernon.
But, except when winter weather
forbade him the fields, he 7as abroad,
far and near, busy with his survey
ing, and incidentally making trial of
his neighbors up and down all the
countryside round about, as his err
rands threw their open doors in his
way. His pleasant bearing and his
quiet satisfaction at being busy, his
manly, efficient ways, his evident self
respect, and his frank enjoyment OF
life, the engaging mixture in him OF
man and boy. must have become ia
miliar to everybody worth knowing
throughout all the Northern Neck.
Goes to the Bahamas.
But three years put term to his
surveying. In 1851 he was called i'm.
peratively off, and had the whole
course of his life changed, by the i'll
ness of his brother. Lawrence Wash
ington had never been robust; those
long months spent at the heart Of the
fiery South with Vernon's fever
stricken fleet had touched his sensi
tive constitution to the quick. and al
last a fatal consumption fastened up
on him. Neither a trip to England
nor the waters of the warm springs
at home brought him recuperation
and in the autumn of 1851 his physt
clan ordered him to the Bahamas fol
the winter. George. whom he so loved
and trusted. went with him. to nurse
and cheer him.
But even the gentle sea-air of the
islands wrought no cure of the stub
born malady. The sterling. gifted
Iovable gentleman. who had made his
quiet seat at Mount Vernon the home
of so much that was honorable and OF
good report, came back the next sum-
mer to die in his prime. at thirty-four.
George found himself named executor
in his brothers will. and looked to OF
a sudden to guard all the interests OF
the young widow and her little daugh-
ter in the management of large es-
tate. That trip to the Bahamas had
been his last outing as boy. He
had enjoyed the novel journey with a
very keen and natural relish while It
promised his brother health. The ra-