The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1914-02-12

But by the all-powerfu 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 leveling my
companions on every side OF mel
I'VE have been most scandalously beaten by
trifling 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 were little more than practical jokes raised
to the highest 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 Britsh-as at Long Island
and before Princeton--he laughed and kicked up
nimbe heels In the face Of the sursuing enemy.
1t 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 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 some 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" az 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 an insult :?
The King OF England" announced the toast.
master general raising hts glass. The guests
gazed at him. transfxed with establishment
Long may he" continued Washington. Long
may he stay there!"
lie pronounced the last two words In a 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 Washngton's ready humor had
prevented a disagreeabe complication.
After the Revolution. Washington was permit
ted the long coveted happiness OF living peacefully
under his "own vine and fgtree'' as he called II
hundreds of times In many letters. II Is great
mistake to think that his life at Mount Vernon
was either stale or stilted Nelly GUSTS 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 as to claim that she found one
quite so willing TO keep pace with her own ex
travagant spirits as her dear, delightful old fos
ter father
How Washington did enjoy his home when he
finally permitted to stay there Mount Ven
non Mecca for pilgrims from all 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 81,
down to dinner by ourselves!"