The Raymer enterprise., 1921-02-17

tourists. Mt. Vernon. Of course. is the washiry-
tot shrine and II will continue to be that 70 long
q the republic endures. II was the Virginia
home on the Potomac to which Washington took
biz bride; there he made plans for his life work,
plans that were rudely shattered By the events,
Of later years. II was from that refuge that b
went forth 10 command the armies Of the Revo-
luton. and II was from the secluAon Of that
attractive place that be answered the call to b
President He returned to the old home On re-
firing from office. and there he died, and there
his bones lie.
When the national capital city was laid out,
and for many decades afterward Mt Vernon
was looked upon a. "long ways or from the
capital. It 10 only seventeen miles away. Today
there are three ways Of reaching Mt Vernon
BY boat, BY electricity. by automobile II 10 an
easy hours travel from the business center Of
Washington. With these facilities the number Of
visitors has greatly increased. II 10 believed The
time 10 not far distant when million and half
Of tourists will annually visit Mt. vernon.
II you should happen to be In NJ Vernon On
tho I'D Of February you would. In Imagination,
sec Washington as he went about bis country placs
% bis birthday. The very atmosphere speaks
to you Of him." said q distinguished Frsnchman.
Visitors marvel at the faithfulness with which
The buildings and their contents and the grounds
have been preserved There have been, Of 10
cessity. some replacements but speaking IN .
broad way. things are al they were when Wash
ington last looked upon them. One can almost
see the house cat coming out Of the hole under.
the door that led to the room occupied by Mira
Washington. And what q sense Of comfort one
gets as be sits In an easy chair on the veranda
and looks out over the Potomac and across the
river to the hills Of Maryland. sust a. Washington
did! mo wonder Washington did not wish to
leave the place even to be President Of his coun-
Try" one says to himself.
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Aid society continues
to care for the Mt. Vernon home and lands, Tia
country owes debt of gratitude to this society
for preserving sthe property. Years ago when II
was about to fall Into the hands Of private spec-
ulators this society was formed and It has done
its work we'll Many persons believe however,
that congress should buy the estate In the name
Of the government and throw 1t open to the public
Always under the management Of the Aid society
nominal charge for admittance has been made
Many Of the visitors linger In the country about
the old Washington home. OF course no one who
knew the Washington family is now living, but
there are plenty Of descendants Of the old families
In the neighborhood who delight to talk Of the
old days. The countryside has not changed much
In 120 years. Many houses built while Washine
ton was alive still stand. Three miles south Of
Mt Vernon the old Pohlck (Episcopal) church In
which Washington frequently worshiped IL stil
occupied by the Episcopal congregation. Within
the last i've years the interior Of the old build
Ing has been restored and today visitors may look
on the decorations precisely a. they were when
Washington attended.
Passing time has not served to take away any
Of the Warrington atmosphere about the old city
Of Alexandria seven miles south Of the national
capital and on the road to Mt Vernon. The first
thing the writer 10 told Is that Washington did
lot for u.s." HE established our public school
system" says the local guide "and be gave us on,
first IRE department. He was always doing some
thing for u.s." Foremost Of the Washington show.
places In Alexandria IL old Christ church. Of
which Washington was member for some 70
years. The church building Of brick has been
preserved unchanged. The pew that Washington
occupied u reserved every Sunday for strangers
who may happen along at the service hour. Ths
Old sexton win b certain to relate numefous
stories Of the nfst President Hs win, nfst q IN,
ten Jon how Washington always came up ffum
NJ Vernon o. horssback, followed By his faith-
ful black bodysuard In q bright red. uniSom;
hsw aftss services WashinSfn wss lfksiy 70 iinsse
h ths chufehyard 10 taIk win his cesntzy peleh-
bora and Nv was fsqusntiy nsessaay ~