The Ordway new era., 1913-10-24

The members OF the new c.i.gress
were SO laggard in coming together
that 1t was the 9th of April. 1883. 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
aimee 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 nomina.
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 had made up his mind
what to do.
Bids His Mother Farewell. n
Mr.. Thomson reached Mount Yer.
non on the 14th. and found Washing
ton ready to obey his summons al
once.
He waited only for 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-
tion the fatal disease that had long
tender. and these latter days had add
ed their touch OF hardness.
But 1t 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 16 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 4
very heavy heart; for duty had never
seemed to him so unattractive as 1t
seemed now. and his difference had
never been SO distressing.
"For myself the delay may be com.
pared to u reprieve." he had written to
Knox. when he learned how slow con-
gress was in coming together, for in
confidence tell you that my move
ments to the chair OF government will
be accompanied by feeling not unlike
those of culprit who is going to the
place OF execution"
Departs with a Heavy Heart.
When the day for his departure
came. his diary spoke the same heavi-
ness OF heart. About ten o'clock"
he wrote, Il bade adieu to Mount Yer
non. to private life. and to domestic
felicity: and with mind oppressed
with more anxious and painful sensa-
tions than have words to express. set
out for New York
He did not doubt that he was doing
right; he doubted his capacity in civil
affairs, and loved the sweet retirement
and the free life he was leaving be
hind him.
Grief and foreboding did not in the
least relax his proud energy and
promptness in action. He was not =
whit the less resolute to attempt this
new role. and stretch his powers to the
uttermost to play it in masterful fash
ion.
He was only wistful and full OF 4
sort of manly sadness: lacking not
resolution. but only alacrity.
Obliged to Borrow Money.
He had hoped to the last that he
would be suffered to spend the rest Of
his days at Mount Vernon; he knew
the place must lack efficient keeping.
and fall once more out Of repair un.
der hired overseers: he feared his
strength would be spent and his last
years come ere he could return to look
to It and enjoy 1t himself again.
He had but Just now been obliged to
borrow q round sum Of money to meet
pressing obligations: and the expenses
of this very journey had made 1t neces.
sary to add q full hundred pounds to
that new debt.
ITO BE coNTINUED)