The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-02-13
A Story Of the Great
Blizzard of
1888
By CHARLES CRAIG

WnlcD occurred IN maEcn, 1855! 6OW
the snow whirled! How deep it be
came! How many persons were
caught, bewildeted, and sank down
within reach Of safety, yet never arose
alive!
During the day ], rebelling against
remaining longer imprisoned, started
out to walk to the village, mile dis
tant. How Igot as far as did don't
know, though didn't get very far.
Between my home and the town was
an old brick House that had been built
150 years. 1t had been occupied till
six months before, when the tenants
left it, shutting it up with all the high
post bedsteads and other old fash
ioned furniture. Seeing this house
and realizing that ! was battling a
storm that was too much for me,
made for 1t, climbed the fence-the
snow would not admit of opening the
gate-and after struggling over hun
dred feet up to the porch sank down
at the front door in stupor,
Things were vague after that. !
seemed TO have forgotten that the
house was unoccupied. and, making an
effort, l pulled myself up to reach the
brass knocker and raped. The door
was opened by gentleman, and,
strange to say. he wore the uniform Of
the Continental army. ] saw many
persons moving about in the rooms
end heard the strains Of music.
bad night, sir" said the gentleman.
"Come in and warm yourself"
~ certainly will" replied. II feel
very queer. / am certainly benumbed." 7"
Fortunately some hot punch is just
being served. 1t is just what you re
quire."
He put his arm through mine and
supported me 60 a room with side
board In It on which was an enor-
nous bowl. from which negro was
ladling out steaming beverage. My
conductor took one of the mugs and
handed it to me. put it to my lips,
but somehow couldn't taste anything.
1t was like drinking air.
II shall be happy to present you to
my friends" said the man who had ad.
mltted me. I'VE are having a dance
here tonight In honor of the officers
commanding the troops just arrived
and who are TO be quartered in the
neighborhood."g
All this seemed natural enough. 1t
didn't strike me that there was any
thing remarkable about 1t. ! was
taken up and introduced to ladies with
enormous wigs and queer cut dresses.
/ tried to say something. but somehow
| l couldn't talk There were lot of
men in Continental uniform and few
in citizens dress. the latter with a
yard or more of white stuff wrapped
around their throats. and rufiies stand.
ing out from their bosoms.
"a bad night for our boys at Valley
Forge" remarked tall man, who as
i looked at him seemed to resolve him
self into General Washington.
81 should say So" replied. ''I'n
cold myself here in these warm rooms
What must be the condition of those
fellows living In huts or tents without
sufficient blanketsY
Our conversation was interrupted by
the entrance OF IA young man, who ap
preached Washington and whom the
general received with marked favor
"Who Is that?" j asked of guest.
"The Marquis de Lafayette"
The next thing | remember was see
ing the general dancing the mlnuet
and wondered how he could be dane
ing when his troops were freezing. t.
say nothing of starving.
While he was engaged In the dance
l heard a colOred servant standing n
the door announce in a loud voice:
General ArnOidw
! looked at the man who entered anC
recognized-frOm portraits l had seeI
Benedict Arnold. He went straigh
up to Washington and tapped him oil
the shoulder. Washington turned. ant
the look OF contempt and loathing oil
his face was terrible to see. While
was looking at 1t the view dissolved
before me, and there was blank
Then | was In u room In which Wash
ington was talking and gesticulatini
with an officer against whom he seem
ed to have very bitter feeling asket
who this man was and was INFORMED
that he was General Charles Lee. VIII,
deliberately dlsobeyed Washington
orders at the battle OF Trenton. Their
were high words between the two til
Washington slapped Lees face.
The sound OF The slap dissolved int
n voice that sounded in my ear
"Hello! WGEe upw
! was violently shaken and slowl!
came to realizing sense that wal
on the porch OF the deserted hous'
thoroughly benumbed. Two men wer
trying to arouse me. They shook me
hammered me. lifted me to my fee
and held me there in spite Of my desir'
TO sink down agcln.
I had been at the door but a few
minutes, Two men who had walket
behind me saw me turn into the de
serted house and. realizing that
would be unsafe TO leave me there, hat
followed me on TO the porch. AS 500,
as they had restored my circulation
one of them found loose window
! uaak LII. A =