Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-02-13

But by the allpowerful dispensations Of Provi-
dence I have been protected beyond all human
probability and expectation, for had four bullets
through my coat and two horses shot under me-,
yet escaped unhurt, altho' death leveling my
companions every side of me!
1--WE have been most scandalously beaten by a
trifing body of men, but fatigue and want of
time will prevent from giving you the details,
until have the happiness of seeing you at Mount
Vernon. GEORGE"
War is not supposed to develop the latent sense
of humOr in commanding general, but Washing
toms wit never forsook him. His successful strata
gems were little more than practical jokes raised
to the slightest power. They always worked"
and then he waited laughing in his military
sleeve, while his fatwitted enemies tried to play
his own tricks back on him. Even in his retreats
and escapes from the British-as at Long Island
and before Princeton-he laughed and kicked Up
nimble heels in the face Of the sursuing enemy.
It while his headquarters were in Jersey
that Washington perpetrated the great Jersey
joke still perpetuated by so many millions. He
told English traveller named Weld that he
was never so much annoyed by mosquitoes, for
they used to bite through the thickest boot"
When the was the victorious COM
mander entertained the vanquished general, Lord
CORVALLIS. at dinner, with of the leaders
among the French allies Washington presided.
In calling for toasts, Corvallis with an oblivi-
BUSINESS Of the changed conditions that was truly
English, proposed "The King of England as a
subject for high praise
The other guests were in CONSERVATION. WoulS
the presiding genius, on whose very head King
George had set price, resent this as an insult
"The King Of England" announced the toast
master general, raising his glass. The guests
gazed at him, transfxed with establishment
Long may he" continued Washington. Long
may he stay there
He pronounced the last two words in stage
whisper, with shrug and rueful grimace which
made all the company, including Lorn CORVALLIS.
who now saw his mistake applaud with hearty
laughter; and Washingtons ready humor had
prevented disagreeable complication
After the Revolution Washington permit,
ted the longcoveted happiness of living peacefully
under his Town vine and fgtree," as he called it
hundreds of times in many letters. 1t is great
mistake to think that his life at Mount Vernon
was either stale stilted Nelly Custs his adopt
ed daughter, is authority for the statement that
retired general was always full of gayety and
good spirits surrounding himself with young peo-
pies company, enjoying their lively conversation,
particularly the jokes" he once said Nelly
went so far as to claim that she found one
quite so willing to keep pace with her ex-
travagant spirits as her dear. delightful old fos-
ter father
How Washington did enjoy his home when he
was finally permitted to stay therei Mount Yer.
non was Mecca for pilgrims from all over the
world. He once wrote to Tobias Lear, Unless
some one pops In Unexpectedly Mrs. Washington
and myself will do what believe has not within
the last 20 years been done by us-that is, to s
down to dinner by ourselvesl