Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-04-12
Washington sStrdnge Vision
ConcerningAm Republic

CThe following article was publish
ed in 1880 in The curiosity shop. .
section of the Chicago Inter-Ocean,
and is reprinted herewith by courtesy
of Thomas Simpson Of Clark, s. 81,
who possesses the book from which it
was taken. 1t is the narration Of
George Washington's strange vision
as told by a friend, written by Yves
ley Bradshaw
The last time l ever saw Anthony
Sherman was on the 4th of July, 1859
in independence square. He was
then 80 years old, and becoming very
feeble; but, though so old, his dim
ming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon
Independence Hall. which he had
come to gaze upon once more before
he was gathered home. 49,
Let us go into the hail. he said.
81 want to tell you an incident Of
washington's life-one which no one
alive knows but myself; and, il you
live, you will before long see it veri-
fed. Mark the prediction, you will see
it verified.
THE darkest period we had, I think
was when Washington, after several
reverses, retreated to Valley Forge.
where he resolved to pass the winter
of III. All, l have often seen the
tears coursing down our dear old com
mander's careworn cheeks as he
would be ~conyersing with a confiden-
tial officer about the condition of his
poor soldiers. You have doubtless
heard the story of Washington going
to the thicket 10 pray. Well, it was
not only true, but he used often
to pray in secret for aid and comfort
from God. The interposition Of
whose Divine Providence brought US
safely through those dark days of
tribulation.
"One day, l remember it will, tho
chilly winds whistled through the
leafaess trees, though the sky was
~Q1oudless and the sun shone bright
~; he remained in his quarters near
Iy all the afternoon alone. When he
came out, l noticed his face was a
shade paler than usual, and there
seemed TO be something on his mind
OF more than ordinary Importance.
Returning just after dusk, he dis
patched an orderly to quarters Of the
ofacer / mention, who was presently
m attendance. After a preliminary
conversation, OF about half an hour.
washington, gazing upon his compan-
ion@with that strange look of dignity,
which he alone could command, said
to the latter:
4 do not know whether it is owing
to the anxiety OF my mind or what,
but this afternoon. as / was sitting
at this very table engaged In prepar-
ing a dispatch, something in the de-.
partment seemed to disturb me.
Looking up, / heheld standing oppo-
site me a singularly beautiful female.
So a%stonished was /, for ] had given
strict orders not to be disturbed, that
it was some moments before / found
language to inquire the cause of her
presence. "A second, a third, and
sven a fourth time did / repeat my
question, but received no answer from
my mysterious visitor except a slight
raising of the eyes. BY this time Z
felt strange sensations spreading
Through me. ! would have risen, but
the rivetted gaze OF the being before
me rendered volition impossible. I
essayed once to address her, but my
tongue had become powerless. Even
thought itself suddenly became para
1yzed.
"a new influence. mysterious, pot
oat, irresistible, took possession of
me. ALL could do was to gaze stead
lily, yacantIy at my unknown visitant
Gradually the surrounding atmoss
phere seemed as though becoming
filed with sensations, and grew 1u-
minous. Every thing about me seem
ed to rarity, the mysterious visitor
herself becoming . airy, and yet
even mor distinct to my sight than
before. now began to feel as one
dying, q rather to experiences the
Imagined accompany dissolution.
Il did not think. did not reason.
A did not move; all were impossible
was only conscious IS gazing Axed-
u. yacantly, = my companion.
Presently heard voice saying