Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-17
Truth About George Washington,
His Hatchet and the Cherry Tree

just to scare me. because / am your
little boyr
NHIS father smiled. and said, We'll.
George. you have guessed right
i indeed did it. but not to scare
you. my son; but to learn you a great
thing which 1 wish you to under
stand. want, my son, to introduce
you to your true Father
High, pa, amt you my true father.
that has loved me, and been 50 good
to me always?
Yes. George. I am your father, as
the world calls It; and I love you very
dearly, too. But yet with all my love
for you. George, 1 am but poor
good-for- nothing sort Of a father IN
comparison of one you have
"tAye! 1 know. well enough whom
you mean. pa. You mean God AL
mighty, don't your
Ives. my son. 1 mean Him. indeed.
He is your true Father. George
But, pa. where is God Almighty?
/ did never see Him yet
"'True. my son: but though you
never saw Him, yet He Is always
with you. You did not zee me. when
ten days ago ! made this little plant
bed. where you see your name in such
beautiful green letters; but though
you did not see me here, yet you
know 1 was here
Yes, pa. that I dol know you
was here"
NERY little light has ever been
thrown on the origin Of the
cherry tree story; who was "the aged
lady who was distant relative, and
when girl spent much of her time
in the family from whom Weems
says he heard the story, is not
known, but a few years ago the fol-
lowing letter, written to an incuir-
ing friend by an Episcopal clergyman
in the south in 1891, came into my
possession, and I. print It for what
it is worth:
Dear sir: I have a very distinct
recollection of what heard about
the Ratchet story. My grandfather
knew Weems personally. as did the
late Bishop Gadsden; and often
heard him spoken Of, generally in
connection with some eccentricity or
funny story.
He seems to have had decided irdi-
viduality, and to have impressed HIM
self upon those who knew him. Cnfor-
tunately 1 was very young and retain
no distinct recollection except the gen.
eral impression Of his character. In
regard to the Ratchet, it is different. !
have heard that told by Bishop Gads-
den several times, after L was grown.
1t made a vivid impression upon the
bishop, i.e., the fact that a clergyman
had Invented the story out OF whole
CLOTH
'Weens was frequently at his house.
and he had kindly regard for him
CWeems died in 1880, though, him a
genial. pleasant companion. and a kind
hearted, benevolent man. But the bish-
ops conscience was shocked that q
clergyman had done this thing. and,
without censure. IN which he never in
dulged. he often mentioned It, as. the
inference was, being sort Of index Of
the religious character Of Weems.
! He said that on one occasion he
asked Weems where he learned about
the Ratchet. and the answer was, ! just
made it up When he expressed sur
prise, Weenls replied. Why, isn't 1t q
good thing for the boys? 1t teaches L
moral lesson better thar any fable"
And SO it would seem that while the
cherry tree story Is not proof positive
that Washington could not tell a lie.
its appearance in Parson Weeme' book
rather implies that Washinstons bios-
rapher is more gifted
Copyright. 1924. in United States and
Great Britain, by North American Newspaper
Alliance. All rights reserved.l