The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-01-01
X x X X X X 4 X X K X X X * X
X THE OBSERVATORY. X
4 4 4 \ r \ II 4 4 4 Il 4 ~ 4

y y = = y Y = y = r = r = y J
| suppose the name Mount Vernon
Stirs patriotic feeling in the heart
of every American and he wishes he
might see the place sacred to our
country; it was not my fortune to see
it through the Civil War, nor when
passing through Washington in la
ter years; not till last Summer. 1t
was a fine summer day, and we went
by trolley line through Alexandria, the
typical old Virginia town, and passed
the hotel where Colonel Ellsworth was
shot the summer of 6l, after he had
hauled down the Confederate flag fly
ing over the place; recalled the thrill
that went over the country the next
day when news of the tragedy flew
over the land.
Mount Vernon is one of the few his
toric places l have visited which l
found exactly corresponding to its
pictures with which we have been ia
miliar since childhood; the wide YER
anda with the big pillars and the row
of chairs which are shown in the pic
lures is there exactly, and can pick
out the particular chair in which | sat
and took in" that wonderful view of
the Potomac river and the Maryland
shore beyond; | had read much of
that view, and it is as fine as de-
scrlbed; the memory of it will re-
main as long as life.
The custodian of the room into
which we first entered attracted my
attention, AMI impressed me; at first
sight he seemed very important; he
was tall, dressed in blue with brass
buttons, was slim, somewhat gray and
had most wonderful mustadhes |
think they were five inches long; he
looked very imposing stood very
erect, stiff as a poker" and bent his
head very graciously when addressed;
1t is commentary on human nature,
and American human nature, that it is
necessary to have a man or woman
custodian III each open room of that
historic place, and it is safe to watch
every visitor, it gave me sense of
shame to think of it; but feeling CON
scious of my own honest CD | was
willing to be watched But as this
Particular man was guardian of
George Washington's home | stood
i'll awe of him, and with great respect,
drew near to speak to him; being en-
gagged in such duty | supposed he
would be full of patriotic lore; asked
him if he had ever heard of a certain
incident in Washington's home life,
and related it; he deigned to smile
with dignity. replying he had never
heard it, but had heard another and
proceeded to relate some twaddle.
and then I discovered how whiskers.
clothes and stiff dignity can pass for
an imposing man.
But as | wandered over that house
feelings to deep for description nos
SeSSed me; | was really treading the
floors which the reveared Father of
his Country had trod: and when
came to the guest chamber | recall
ed an incident | had read as a lad
May Day, 1868 | was in the city of
Boston and spent some hours in an
antique book store on historic Corn
hill street; among the books which
fascinated me that dav. and which
purchased, was one entitled Men
and Times of the Revolution" being
the personal experiences of Fltanah
Watson: he was a Plymouth. Massa-
chuSetts man, of good family. who
served his country both as a soldier |
and in various civil can&cities. Re |
fore the opening of the Revolution he |
was an active agent OF the patriots |
made MANY long JOURNEYS on horse |
hack over the country. and went sew
eral times to Europe, where ne was
when the war closed. He arrived |
home in America in January 1885. |
and soon after made a visit to Mount
Vernon. bearing letters of introduc-
tion from several prominent citizens.
among them one from General Greene
Of Rhode Island who was one of
Washington's favorites: he felt some
tripidatior. hut was immediately put
at his ease by the gracious hospitality
Of the General and Mrs Washington.
He says: Although I had frequently