Year: 1876




Sherman was on the 4th of July, in
1S49, in Independence Square. He was
then ninety-one and becoming very fee
BILE; but though so old, his dimming
eyes rekindled as he looked at lndepen-
dence Hall, which, he said he had come
to gaze upon once more before he was
gathered home.


"What time is it ?" said he, raising
his trembling eyes to the clock in the
steeple, and endeavoring to shade the
former with trembling hand. "What
time is it? can't see SO well as used
I to-"


Halfpast three"


Come them" he continued, let us
go into the Hall want to tell you an
incident in Washington's life-one which
no one alive knows of except myself and
if you live you will before long see it
verified"


Reaching the visitors rooms, in which
the sacred relics Of our early days are
preserved, we sat down upon one of the
old-fashioned wooden benches, and my
venerable friend related to me the fol-
lowing narrative, which from the peculi-
arity of our national affairs at the pres
ent time, have been induced 10 give
to the world. give it as nearly as pos
sible in his own words


when the bold action Of our Con-
gress in asserting the independence of
the colonies, became known in the world
we were laughed ct and scofed at as
silly, presumptuous rebels, whom the
British grenadiers would tame into sub
mission; but undauntedly, we prepared
to make good what we said. The keen
encounter came. and the world knows
the result. 1t is easy and pleasant for
those of the present generation to talk
and write of the days of '76, but they
little know, neither can they imagine the
trials and sufferings of those fearful
days. And there is one thing | much
fear; and that is, that the American peo.
pie do not properly appreciate the boon
of freedom. Party spirit is becoming
stronger, and unless it is checked, will
at no distant day, undermine and tumble
into ruin the noble spirit of the Repub-
lie. Bur let me hasten to my narrative


From the opening of the Revolution,
we experienced all phases of fortune
now good and now i'll at one time vic
torious, at another conquered. The dark
est period we had, however, was I think,
when Washington, after several reverses
retreated to Valley Forge; where he re-
solved to pass the winter of IT. All ]
have often seen the tears coursing down
our dear old commander care-worn
cheek as he would be conversing with a
confidential officer about the condition
of his poor soldiers. You have doubt
less heard the story of Washington 60
ing to the thicket to pray. Well, it is
not only true, but he used often to pray
in secret for aid and comfort from God,
the interposition Of whose Divine provi-
dence brought us safely through those
dark days of tribulation.


One day-I remember well-the chill
ly wind whistled and howled through
the leafess 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, noticed that his face was shade
paler than usual, and that there seemed
to be something on his mind of more
than ordinary importance. Returning
just before dark he dispatches an orderly
to the quarters of the officer mentioned,
who was presently in attendance. After
preliminary conversation, which lasted
some half an hour, Washington, gazing
upon his companion with strange look
of dignity which he alone could COM
mand, said to the latter.


! do not know whether it was owing
to the anxiety of my mind or what, but
this afternoon, as / was sitting at this
very table engaged in preparing a dis
patch, something in the apartment seem
ed to disturb me. Looking up, be-
held, standing exactly opposite me, a
singularly beautiful figure. So aston
ished was for had given strict or
ders not to be disturbed THAT it was
some moments before | found language
to inquire the cause of her presence. A
second, third and fourth time did / re-
peat the question, but received no answer
from my mysterious visitor. l began to
feel as one dying, or rather to experience
the sensation which | have sometimes
imagined accompanies dissolution.
did not think, reason or move; all were
alike impossible, was only conscious of
gazing fxedly, vaeantly at my compan-
ion.


Presently, l heard voice saying -
lstE Z II ID