Little Washington's Relatives Part 11

"During this visit George made the acquaintance of the sons and daughters of his host, and also received a recommendation to Lord Fairfax for a position of surveyor.

"The study of practical surveying formed an important part of Washington's career, as it stood him in such good stead later in life.

"Lawrence Washington had pulmonary trouble and was told to seek a milder climate. George was a great favorite with the oldest member of the Washington family, and he induced him to accompany him to the Barbadoes to recuperate his health, but as it did no good he returned home, and shortly after pa.s.sed away.

"In his will he appointed George Washington one of his executors, and the estate of Mount Vernon was bequeathed to his daughter. In case of her death without heirs the property was to pa.s.s to George. Thus it was that at the early death of the daughter of Lawrence, Mount Vernon became the property of George Washington."

"But he didn't need it when he married Martha Custis, 'cause you told us one day that she had a big estate of her own," said Martha.

"Yes, she was the mistress of a fine plantation called 'White House,'

and from this home she was married to her second husband, George Washington. But soon after this union she removed to Mount Vernon, which was ever after known as her home and family residence.

"To make this house a fitting home for the bride George ordered many items of art and luxury from his agent in England. Among other things he ordered a bust of Frederick the Great, little dreaming that not many years hence his walls would be adorned by a portrait sent him by the monarch himself and autographed with the words, 'From the oldest general in Europe to the greatest general in the world.'

"Among the memoranda of his estate, business and house bookkeeping there can still be seen in the library or study at Mount Vernon many of the aged papers filed away since the day he first entered the items on his accounts.

"We will also see some of the 'tabby-colored' gowns sent to Martha Washington from England, and the laces, fans, sh.e.l.l combs and satin slippers worn by her and never dreaming at that time that a group of distant descendants would visit the place to gaze at the articles she once wore or handled as we do everyday things."

"Mother, will we see some of Washington's swords and guns?" asked George, plainly showing the bent of his desire.

"Yes, we will see many interesting things belonging to General Washington, from the time he first became owner of Mount Vernon to the day he pa.s.sed away forever. Since the organization formed to protect and hold this place sacred to the memory of the ill.u.s.trious Washington many things not originally belonging to the estate were received and placed on exhibition there for the public to see. Among some of these relics are the treasured articles belonging to descendants of the friends of Washington, and the interesting narratives of how they came into the possession of the articles furnished historical stories."

Questions and answers about the general and his home so soon to be seen by the children occupied much time, and when these historical facts began to lose interest for the juvenile members of the party Mrs. Davis suggested that they stop and have their picnic lunch, after which they would conclude the trip.

This met with great approval, and soon every one was busy munching chicken sandwiches or enjoying juicy fruit. Half an hour was the time allotted for lunch, and then Mrs. Parke gave the signal for every one to climb back in the automobile.

When they arrived at the stately mansion they were impressed by the elegance of the place, and the children were overawed to find visitors there from every known part of the world.

They followed the official guide about and heard the descriptions of the articles exhibited. In the kitchen, the old-fashioned fireplace, the crane, the pot-hangers, iron pots and teakettles amused the girls. The ladies admired the old china kept in the c.u.mbersome cupboards, and the boys smiled at the heavy solid chairs and tables once used by the slaves and servants of the Washingtons.

In the general's private den, or study, were still found the yellow-aged papers, pens, ink horns and other items used by him in the management of his properties.

In the chambers the visitors found many interesting things to see-four-posted beds, quaint chairs, low rockers with most uncomfortable straight backs, queer dressers and wardrobes.

The garments and toilette articles were carefully protected in gla.s.s cases, and everything was labelled plainly so all could read the descriptions and dates when used.

On the homeward ride Martha said: "Well, both those ancestors seem more real to me now than ever before."

"Yes, but it won't be any fun playing war with broomsticks again, after seeing the great swords and other weapons shown there," said George, feeling that he had lost much of the delusion of boyhood.

"Why don't you ask your father for real guns-I mean the pea-shooters you can buy at a toy shop," suggested Jack.

"Why, of course, mother. Will you ask him about it?" said George eagerly.

"If I were you, Kate, I would. Jack has a rifle that shoots peas or beans, and it takes a load of care from my mind, for I know he can't injure anything with a dried pea. And boys will have some form of gun, you know, especially if they are forever playing George Washington, in the days of Indian wars and revolutions," said Mrs. Davis.

"I'll ask father and we'll see what he thinks," replied Mrs. Parke.

"One won't be enough! Martha and Jim each need one, and John will have to get one, too," reminded George anxiously.

"John had better ask his father if he will consent to this new plan of defense," laughed Mrs. Parke.

"Ah rickon mah mammy won't 'ject to a pea-gun 'cause it hain't so bad as an axe, yo' knows," murmured Jim.

"Hoh, I guess not! And John's folks will be glad to know he won't be scalped again, even if we play Braddock and the Indians, like that other time," added George, thinking of the great battle between the French and British at the time the hedge was broken down.

"If we could only have those guns while Jack and Anne are visiting us we could have the real battles of Long Island, Harlem and Jersey," sighed John.

"Mother, you must try and have father tend to it next time he pa.s.ses a toy shop in Washington, won't you?" begged George eagerly.

"I'll tell him what aunty said, and leave it to his own good judgment whether you should have a pea-shooter or a new form of punishment,"

teased Mrs. Parke.

But George and Martha understood their mother so well that they felt sure she would advise the guns at once, so they chattered all about the forthcoming battles to be fought the moment the rifles arrived from the store.

That night Mr. Parke heard all about Mount Vernon from four excited children and the two ladies, who now and then were permitted to add a word or explain a remark; but the most interesting topic of conversation was the question of pea-shooters.

Finally Mr. Parke admitted he was defeated in his arguments against rifles in days of disarmament, so the children felt quite sure he would order the proper weapons for home defense.

A few days after the visit to Mount Vernon a large box came from a shop devoted entirely to toys and games for children. The excited juvenile members of the family stood impatiently waiting while the lid was removed, for they had expected guns, but not in such a packing case.

The first thing taken out was a long envelope addressed to "Soldiers and Defenders of America." Upon opening it Mrs. Parke smiled and read aloud:

"'The contents of this box to be presented to the different members of the Continental army, to wit: George and Martha Parke, Jack and Anne Davis, John Graham and Jim (Jackson) as addressed on each package herein, upon the satisfactory recital, learned by heart, of the maxims and rules learned and followed by George Washington from the time he attended Mr. Williams' school, and written by Sir Matthew Hale under the t.i.tle of "Contemplations." As each student satisfactorily recites these "Contemplations" to Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Davis, he or she may take and become the owner of the package addressed to him or her.'"

CHAPTER VIII

EARNING THE PRIZES

As may be imagined, no time was lost in play or other occupations as long as those packages remained unopened in the case. From the examination of the outside George said he was sure they contained complete outfits for the army. If this surmise was correct, what a glorious time they would have when all dressed up in suitable uniforms!

"Mother, how can we all learn those maxims by heart when we have only one book to study from?" asked George.

"I thought of that, too, and asked father to have his secretary copy them on paper, so each of you could have a set to study," said Mrs.

Parke.

"Oh, then you knew all about these prizes before they came, eh?" said Martha.

"Yes, and now I'll get the papers for you. Jim will have to have you read his aloud and help him memorize them," replied Mrs. Parke, going over to the desk, where she took up a bundle of typewritten sheets to distribute to the children.

"I wish to read a short introduction to these rules that were such a guide to our great general. These 'Contemplations' formed the subject of Washington's early study and devotions. They exerted a direct influence in the formation of his principles of action. His well-known habits of private devotion to Deity were formed somewhat by imprinting on him mind such pa.s.sages as the following:

"'An humble man leans not to his own understanding; he is sensible of the deficiency of his own power and wisdom, and trusts not in it; he is also sensible of the all-sufficient power, wisdom and goodness of almighty G.o.d, and commits himself to Him for counsel, guidance, direction and strength.