The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-02-20

But by the all-powerful dispensations Of Provi
dence | 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 was eveling my
companions on every side Of me!
1--WE have been most scandalousy beaten by a
trifing body of men, but fatigue and want OF
time will prevent me 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 a commanding general, but Washing
tons wit never forsook him. His successful strata
gems little more than practical jokes raised
to the highest power. They always worked
and then he waited laughing in his military
sleeve while his fat-wtted 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
1t was while his headquarters we're 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 thckest boot"
When the war was over 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 oblivi-
BUSINESS OF the changed conditions that truly
English proposed The King of England" as a
subject for high praise
The other guests were in CONSERVATION. Would
the presiding genius on whose very head King
George had set price resent this 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 a stage
whisper, with shrug and a rueful grmace which
made all the company including Lorn CORVALLIS,
who his mistake applaud with hearty
laughter; and Washingtons ready humor had
prevented disagreeable complication.
After the Revolution Washington was permit
ted the lorgcoveted happiness of living peacefully
under his own vine and igtree," he called it
hundreds Of times in many letters. IL is great
mistake to think that his life at Mount Vernon
either stale stilted Nelly Custis his adopt
ed daughter, is authority for the statement that
retired general always full of gayety and
good spirits, surrounding himself with young peo-
pies company, enjoying their lively conversation,
particularly the jokes" as he once said Nelly
went so far to claim that she found no one
quite so willing to keep pace with her own ex-
travagant spirits her dear, delightful old fos-
ter father.
How Washington did enjoy his home when he
finally permitted to stay there! Mount Yer
a Mecca for pilgrims from all over the
world He 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 ue-that Is. to alt
down to dinner by ourselves