Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-04-13


1859, in independence square. He
was then ninety-One, and becoming
very feeble but, although so old, his
dimming eyes rekindled as he looked
at independence Hall, which, he said
he had come to gaze upon once more
before he was gathered home
What time is it," he said, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock IN
the steeple and endeavorlng to shade
the former with a shaking hand
what time is it? | can't see as
well as I used to-
"Half-past three
Come, then" he continued, ''let us
go into the hall. I want to tell you
an incident Of Washington's life
one which no one alive knows except
myself, and if you live, you will,
before long see it verified. Mark me,
am not superstitious, but you will
see it verified
Reaching the Visitors room, in
which the sacred relics of our early
days are preserved, we sat down up
on one of the old-fashioned wooden
benches, and my venerable friend
related to me the following singular
narrative, which from the popularity
of our national affairs at the present
time, I have been induced to give to
the world. I give it, as nearly as
possible, in his own words:
when the bold action Of our
Congress in asserting the independ-
ence of the colonies, became known
to the world, we were laughed and
scoffed at as silly, presumptuous reb-
els whom British grenadiers would
soon tame into submission; undaunt-
eddy we prepared to make good what
VIE had said. The keen encounter
came, and the world knows the re-
suit. 1t is easy and pleasant for
those of the present generation to
talk and write of the days of seven
ty-six but little they know, neither
can they imagine, the trials and suf-
ferings of those fearful days. And
there is one thing which I much
fear, and that is that the American
people do not properly appreciate the
boon of freedom. Party spirit is
| yearly becoming stronger, and unless
it is checked will, at no distant day,
undermine and tumble into ruins the
noble structure Of the Republic. Let
me hasten to my narrative.
From the opening of the Revolu-
ton, we experienced all phases of for
tune-now good and now i'll, at one
time victorious and another con-
quered. The darkest period we had,
| however was l think, when, Washing
ton after several reverses retreated
to valley Forge, where he resolved
to pass the winter Of IT. All! |
have often seen the tears courslng
down our dear old commanders care
worn cheeks as he would be convers-
ing with a confidential officer about
the condition of his poor soldiers.
You have doubtless heard the story
of Washington's going to the thicket
to pray. Well, it is not only true,
but he used often to pray in secret
for aid and comfort from that God
the interposition Of whose divine
providence alone brought us safely
through those dark days of tribula-
ton.
"One day, I remember well-the
chilly wind whistled and howled
through the leafless trees, though
the sky was cloudless and the sun
shining brightly-he remained in his
quarters nearly the whole afternoon
alone. When he came out I noticed
that his face was shade paler
than usual, and that there seemed
to be something on his mind of more
than ordinary Importance. Return
ing just after dusk he dispatched an
orderly to the quarters of the officer
l mentioned who was presently in
attendance. After a preliminary con-
versation, which lasted some halt
an hour, washington, gazing upon
his companion with that strange look
of dignity which he alone could com
mand said to the latter:
81 do not know whether it was
owing to the anxiety of my mind, or
what, but this afternoon, as l was
sitting at this very table engaged in
preparing dispatch something in
the apartment seemed to d1strub me.
Looking up / beheld standing exactly
opposite me, singularly beautiful
female. So astonished was for
had given strict orders not to be dis
turbed-that it was some moments
before I found language to enquire
the cause of her presence. A sec
ond third and even a fourth time
did I repeat the question, but re
ceived no answer from my myster
! ious visitor other than a slight
raising of her eyes. By this time
felt a strange sensation spreading
throuub MO T would hovn ricop h111