Year: 1877

"Old Parson Netherlands, whom /
used TO hear preach when | was q little
fellow" said Grandfather Pendergrast,
" was never weary of telling us children
the incidents of II visit that he and his
mother made to Virginia when he was
lad.


General Washington was at that time
living in dgnitied retirement upon his i'm
mense estate at Mount Vernon, which, rs
is well known, consisted Of ten thousand
acres of land in one body. A third Of it
formed neck on the Potomac River, with
Huntington Creek Bay on the east, and
Donge Creek Bay on the west. There
were two grist mills on the estate, one
propelled by oxen or horses, the other by
water.


"Parson Netherlands uncle, William
Barker, was at the time of their visit over
seer of the water-power mill, which stood
at the head of Donge Creek Bay. 1t was
Il large mill with twelve-feet wheel, the
water coming through q sluice-way two
miles long Boats laden with grain came
close up to the mill door.


"The estate was divided into several
different farms each farm being devoted to
the raising of grasses, grains and vegeta-
bles, lust like any other farm, only every
thing was on such very large scale
There were hundreds of acres of land in
each field, and nearly four hundred men
were employed mt all seasons.


General Washington had the personal
oversight of these extensive farming op-
crations, and rode about the fields and
farms on horseback every morning in
pleasant weather. Often gentlemen who
were his visitors, and sometimes ladies, ac-
companied him on these rides. Their
horses were trained for the saddle, and
made nothing of leaping across the broad
bitches which separated the large field in
stead of fences.


" Young Matthew Wcatherhands had
been at the mill several days without get
ting glimpse of the great man whom, OF
course, he was very curious to see. So one
day his uncle sent him to the brick barn
on II grain boat, telling him that there he
would he sure to see the famous general.


Matthew found the barn to be situated
at distance of about three miles from the
Mount Vernon residence. 1t was huge
structure, built of brick, and was consid
cred IL great curiosity, being sixteer-Square
or double octagonal,


Matthew was looking about with the
eager desire to know the why and the
wherefore of everything, m impulse that
has always characterized the wlde-awake
New England boy, when some one shouted
to him that the general was coming. AS
young Matthew ran out OF the barn he saw
galloping nj swift pace over the newly
moved and beautifully uDdulating meadow
a dozen or mole gayly y-dressed ladies and
gentlemen on horseback. They were
splendidly mounted, and number OF
handsome dogs ran gracefully on either
side the brilliant cavalcade.


The little Massachusetts boy was so
overawed and impressed by the grandeur
of the sight and the majesty of the gener-
ais presence, that he followed his first
| inclination, which was to run behind a
corner, of the barn near which he was
standing, thinking he could look out from
that spot and see the company sweep by,
himself remaining unobserved.


Upon his starting to run fierce little
dog rushed away from the party and flew
yeiping after him. The boy ran on, and
the dog followed in hot pursuit. Soon the
frightened boy became conscious that not
only the dog but flying horseman was
also pursuing him.


Matthew had no idea of the extent OF
one side of that sixteen sided barn, but ii
seemed long distance for his short legs
to accomplish. He looked back each time
he turned a corner to see the head of a
white horse appearing at the corner behind
! him.


"He supposed the general considered
him an intruder, and was determined to
take him into custody. Not knowing what
fearful fate awaited him should be be
caught, he exerted every nerve TO escape,
still turning corner after corner, the dog
in hot pursuit, the horseman close behnd


Almost ready to drop from fatigue,
shame and terror, the poor toy turned an
other corner only to find himself dnectly
in front of the mounted party, who were
drawn up near the wide, open barn doors
where the grain was being measured be-
fore it should be transferred to the boat.


d" Here he was brought to standStill 10y
an authoritative command of Halt Il
was but one word, not loudly spoken, bu
that there was power in the voice WAS evi
dent by the alacrity with which it was
obeyed by both pursuer and pursued. Ih'
dreaded horseman, that Matthew nov
saw, was Il lad not much older than him
SELF mounted on n pretty white pony.


"'What does this mean, Dandrldge?'
inquired General Washington, in severe
tones.


a. Beauty always runs after everything
that runs away from her, uncle, and on
ly thought would see the chase out cx
planned the boy in voice that quivered I
little, and with q perturbed air.
And who are you my lad, and wha