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The sandersville herald,
ik
Till freedom reigns, -v.:r hearty hands
Will light like true Americans.
And follow Washington, my boys,
And follow Washington.
—From a Revolutionary War Song, in The Youth’s Companion.
GtoftGE Washington,
THE F-XRMErR.
L.a41crr 1oTobi i a/ Lear . and • other/ bctvJeen •
7790 - and • 1799,^/*hovdin^ • 1he Fir/t American*
in-4he management, o/. hi/*- e/'tate- a.nd •
Oomc/t i c.-' o//a i r/.
L OUIS PHILIPPE, King or
France, used to tell n charac
teristic story of Washington,
of whom he .occasionally saw
something while nn exile In this coun
try. One morning he met the great
man, dressed in the most irreproach
able style of the English gentleman
of the period, with white stockings,
walking about in tlie rain before
breakfast. "You walk early, Gen
eral," he said. "Yes,” replied Wash
ington, "1 walk early because I sleep
well, and I sleep well because 1 never
write anything which can get me into
the slightest trouble. Remember
that, young man!” The letters in a
recent volume, entitled “George
Washington, the Farmer,” justify the
nnecdote. Perfectly frank as most of
them are, there is nothing in them
which His Excellency, the President
of the United States, might dislike to
see in print. They reveal a man thor
oughly practical and sincere, saying
no more than he means, and, above
all, as scrupulous for others as for
himself. They are never emotional,
yet they aie often kind, and some
times, in a dignified fashion, sympa
thetic.
The first of the many epistles to
his private secretary, Tobias Lear, is
dated September 5, 17 90, the period
when the first President was about
to establish himself in his official resi
dence at Philadelphia. Lear was at
tending to the removal of the house
hold belongings from New York, and
his employer sends him, in tills and
subsequent letters, careful directions
respecting servants, packing and
transport. References to the washer
women of the family and to the not
wholly satisfactory dinners provided
In New York by the Presidential
steward and housekeeper indicate the
sharp eye which Washington kept on
his household. He gives Lear to un
derstand that two of die domestics,
"Mrs. Lewis and her daughter,” are
not to l>e conveyed to Philadelphia,
because the principal entertaining
rooms of the new habitation are at
the back looking upon the kitchen,
and their “dirty figures” will "not be
a pleasant sight.” He is suspicious
about the expeditious disappearance
of his Pipe of Plntard wine, and lie
desires that the new steward should
realizo that such luxuries are not for
the serving man’s table. He is puz
zled by a matter which has occupied
the minds of generations of house
holders: "It Is inconceivable to me
how other families on 25 lid. or 3000
dollars should be enabled to entertain
more company at least more frequent
ly than I could do for twenty-five
thousand dollars annually.” A judi-
lle directs Lear to consult a silver
smith as to (he making of decanter
holders tor his table—and might
they not be made like a frame open
at bottom, which "would save-silver?”
Lear is to consider the getting of a
new curtain for the staircase, but
whatever lie does, there must lie an
exact match in color. "For the sake
of appearances,” adds the President,
"one would not in instances of this
sort regard a small additional expense.”
at a distance from Mount Vernon.
Debtors delayed payment; overseers
were drunken, or lazy, or too much
given to "Company," horse racing and
idling in adjacent towns. While oc
cupied with affairs of state in Phila
delphia the President still attempts
to keep a rein over those at work
upon his land. Abuses have crept
Into every part of his farm business,
he declares at the beginning of his
rerond term, and he complains bitter
ly of "the insufferable conduct” of
his various overseers, lie lias no il
lusions ns to the agricultural rapaci
ties of the American farmers of his
period. Their "knowledge," he says
—"practice at least—-centres in the
destruction of the land and very little
beyond it." When be returned to pri
vate life and rural occupations he
found n plentiful crop of vexations,
from the Hessian fly in his wheat to
unsatisfactory workmen. In this
country, ho writes to Dr. Gordon,
"where entrenties as well as money
must he used to obtain their work,
and keep them to their duty, they
baffle all calculation in the accom
plishment of any plan, or repairs they
are engaged in—and require more at
tention to and looking after than can
well be conceived.” In various let
ters lie refers half wrathfully to that
part of his domesticities which had
to do with hts slaves, lie writes to
Lear in 1 79 4 concerning some of the
proposed sales of his lands:
I have nn scruple to disclose to you that
my motives to those sales me to reduce my
income, lie it more or less, to specialties;
that tlie remainder of my days may there
by he more tranquil and free from cares: —
and that 1 may be enabled (knowing pre
cisely what inv dependence is) to do ns
much good with it as the resource will nd-
mit—for nltho’ in the estimation of Ihe
world, I possess a good and clear estate,
yet so unproductive is it, that I am often
times ash a me-1 to refuse aids which I can
not aiTord, unless I was to sell part of it.
to answer the purpose. Resides these, 1
have another motive which makes me
earnestly wish for these things -it is .in
deed more powerful than all the rest—
namely to liberate a certain species of
property which I possess very repugnantly
to my own feelings: hut which imperious
necessity compels, and until 1 can substi
tute some other expedient, bv which ex
penses, not in my power to avoid (however
well disposed 1 may he to do it) can he de
frayed.
The gentler side of the great man
peeps out here and there In the let
ters and notes written at the close of
his Presidency. Can we not discern
a little jubilation in this sentence,
less stately than most of those ad
dressed to his secretary: “Unless
some one pops in unexpectedly—Mrs.
Washington & myself will do what I
believe has not been done within the
last twenty Years by us—that Is to
set down to dinner by ourselves.” It
would appear that his wife and his
pretty stepdaughter, Nelly, had their
own way. In another note concerning
the forwarding of the household
goods from Philadelphia to Mount
A WASHINGTON PARTY.
By E. Buell Askew.
Colonel George and Mistress Martha
Washington
do bid thee to nn assembly on
Friday, the two and twentieth day
of this year of grace,
at half after eight of the dock
No. 9 Gorges Street
b£X X X 11X1XXX )(■)( X
HOUDON’S FAMOUS STATUE OF WASHINGTON
CENTRAL HALL OF THE CAPITOL.
THE
WASHINGTON.
From a mezzo-tint engraving by A. B. Wal
ter, after the painting by Rem
brandt Peale.
clous, not a niggardly economy moves
him; he wants his house to be emin
ently handsome and respectable, but
the outlay must not be unreasonable.
There is little to show that Mrs.
Washington lias anything to do with
the minute domestic instructions and
queries with which the busy Tobias is
bombarded first from Philadelphia
and afterward from Mount Vernon
while the "new habitation” is still in
preparation, but she may have been
behind the throne with an armory of
suggestions.
The question of rent for the Phila
delphia house (which belongs to Rob
ert Morris) troubles Washington’s
mind. He is afraid that the sum
rent and repairs may amount up un
duly, and laments that it is difficult
to extract anything definite either
from Morris or from the committee
who selected this official residence.
And here the Virginian’s pride comes
to the front: “To occupy the premises
at the expense of any public body—I
will not.” The question of a mangle
likewise stirs that pride, reinforced
by His Excellency’s scrupulosity:
“Mrs. Morris has a mangle (I think
they arc called) for Ironing of
Clothes, which, ns it is fixed in the
place where it is commonly used, she
proposed to leave and take mine. To
this I have no objection, provided
mine is equally good and conven
ient, but if I should obtain any ad
vantage besides that of its being up
and ready for use, I am not inclined
to receive it.” O wonderful tenant!
As landowner and farmer Wash
ington had troubles enough, especial
ly while the duties of office kept him
So read the quaint Inscription let
tered In old English characters on
pieces of parchment that reached
some half a hundred people one morn
ing in February. The unusual word
ing of the cards caused not u little
surprise. A clue to the program was
given by the date, and, with a com
mendable regard for the "eternal fit
ness,” diligent search was made in
trunks, boxes and drawers for
buckles, mittens an reticules that had
long reposed in peaceful obscurity,
while nimble fingers worked busily
on the fichus, mob-caps and other ar
ticles that went to make up the cos
tume of an eighteenth century dame.
When at last the anticipated day
had arrived, the house in Clarges
street had undergone a strange
transformation. About the rooms
there hung stiff wreaths of evergreens
festooned with bunting and colonial
flags. To further heighten the ef
fect the electric lights were dis
guised by a skilful arrangement of
bunting, which softened without ob
structing the light.
The hostess, in gown of demurest
gray, with mob-cap, fichu, mittens
and powdered liulr, took her sinnd
near the door, her husband, in velvet
knee breeches, buckled shoes ‘and
other appurtenances of a Washington
costume, close by. Very soon the
room was filled with a gay throng at
tired in every phase of colonial cos
tume.
Shortly after 9 a bell was rung,
and the guests took their places at
small tables, each of which wns de
voted io a different game'; such as
dominoes, draughts, beggar-my-
neighbor, besique, etc. Th& usual
rules for progressive games were fol
lowed. The score was kept by means
of small red, white and blue rosettes.
The holder of the greatest number of
these at the erid of the game was
awarded a photograph of Washington
in a handsome silver frame.
In the lull that followed the award
ing of the prize supper was an
nounced, and to the strains of the
"Washington Post," the host led the
way to the dining room, which was
decorated in keeping witli the other
rooms. The* centre of attraction was
naturally the table. This was me
dium In size, since no attempt at
seating the guests had been made,
and square in shape. From each of
tlie four corners were festoons of
small Hags fastened with ribbons to
the chandelier overhead. In the cen
tre of the table was a miniature
cherry trcct some two feet in height
heavily laden with artificial fruit,
which had been fastened on invisibly.
Smal coked hats of crape paper dec
orated with tiny cockades of red,
white and blue, and filled with can
died cherries, were the favors, and
were placed at intervals down each
side. The supper ilself consisted of
the following somewhat unusual
menu:
/ Cold Chicken OUvfc/-. <-
Dakcd CJcanr Cranberry Jelly-
^QrtfvJn rirecid.
Cruller/’ 'Wn/hington Pic-
C off CO' Lemonade
After supper the guests returned
to the parlor, which had been cleared
of the chairs and tables, and whore a
genuine old darky' fiddler, violin in
ihand, sat awaiting their coming. In
a few minutes the floor was taken by
several couples, who, much to the
delight of the others, toed the mazes
of the stately minuet (rehearsed for
the occasion), after which every one
joined in a time honored .Virginia
reel. This in turn gave place to tho
old fashioned quadrille. No round
Vernon there is a hint of feminine
influence which the male reader will
appreciate: "On one side 1 am called
upon to remember the Parrot, on the
other to remember the dog. For my
own part I should not pine much If ,
both were forgot.” To pretty little dances were permitted, so once again
Nelly and her idling young brother,
as well as to various nephews and
nieces, Washington, as this volume
shows, was a careful, wise and gener
ous guardian. He was anxious that
the schooling of these young people
should be of the best, and was con
stantly taking pains in the matter.
Mr. Lear’s account of the death of
Washington is a welcome addition to
the letters. It is grievous to read of
the maltreatment of the sick man by
his ignorant, If well meaning, physi
cians—it would have been strange,
indeed, if he had survived their min
istrations. But that sadness is for
gotten in the narrative of the passing
soul, so noble in the simplicity, dig
nity and courage of its parting.
was the set reformed for the jolly old
country dance, until the striking of
12 announced that another Washing
ton's birthday was past and away.
THE TWENTY-SECOND.
Red for the cherries,
Which died not in vain;
White, for the truth kept
Unsullied by stain.
Blue, for the prospect
lie feared would ensue;
'Rah for Old Glory,
And Washington too!
—McLandburgh Wilson.
Squares, triangles and similar im
plements used by draftsmen are now
made of glass.
———
Georgia Briefs
—*—
Items of State Interest Culled
From Random Sources.
To Meet In Brunswick.
The annual convention of the Coun
ty School Commissioners’ Association
of Georgia will be held in Brunswick
March 31 and April 1 and 2.
Thi3 was decided on at a meeting
a few days ago of th.» executive com
mittee held in the office of State
School Commissioner Jore M. Pound
nt the capital.
* * *
$104,963 for School Teachers.
State School Commissioner .lore M.
Found received a few days ago a
warrant signed ty Governor Smith for
$104,963, which ho will send out to
county school commissioners and su
perintendents of local schools, who
have sent in their requisitions. The
remittances will go to all parts of the
state.
* * *
Slayer of Policeman Resentenced.
Andrew Johnson, the negro slayer
of Policeman James Manier, at At
lanta, was on Saturday morning sen
tenced to hang on Friday, March 13,
in the Fulton county tower, Judge
Roan pronounced sentence upon the
negro, following the decision in the
supreme court, refusing a new trial.
Johnson was sentenced to hang on
January 3, but his attorneys carried
the case to the supreme court, which
handed down a decision refusing a sec
ond trial. »
• • •
Reward of $7C0 Offered.
Illinois officials Have given the Ma
con police authorities a special de
scription of a smooth land shark and
robber who is said to be working
farmers in the rural districts out of
large sums of money on loan schemes.
A reward of $7d0 is offered for his
capture, lie has numbers of names,
but that of John L. Butler appears
most frequently. Efforts are being
made to locate him in the south. The
man is said to have made hundreds
of bogus purchases, forged land deeds
and then secured large loans upon the
plea of needing the funds to make
certain improvements.
* * *
Awards for Fruits and Flowers.
State Geologist W. S. Yeates, who
had charge of the state exhibit of
fruits, vegetables and flow-.rs at the
Jamestown exposition, has just receiv
ed a letter from James L. Farmer, sec
retary of the jury of awards, notifying
him of the awards of certain medals
not previously announced. These med
als were as follows:
Gold medal, state of Georgia, for
the best collective exhibit of fruits;
gold medal, state of Georgia, for the
best continuous display of garden veg
etables, and a silver medal for the
best chrysanthemums.
* * •
Uncle Sam Testing Soft Drinks.
Manufacturers of alleged non-alco
holic drinks who are allowing more
than one-half of one per cent of alco-
fiol to get Into their products will soon
hear about it if they are not paying
the government a special tax.
Revenue Agent Surber is now having
tests made of various drinks on the
market to ascertain whether or not the
manufacturers are keeping within the
United States regulation. Tests of this
character are made at all times of the
year, but now that prohibition has
brought forth several new varieties of
non-alcoholic drinks, the government
officials especially are active.
* * •
Sausage Dealers Warned.
The state department of agriculture
has Issued an order ns the result of an
examination by the state chemist of G5
samples of sausages collected in vari
ous parts o? the state.
Eleven of the samples sold as pure
pork-sausage were found to be mixed
sausage, which is a distinct violation
of the pure food law, and offending
parties are noticed that they will in
future be prosecuted.
A number of other samples were
found to contain various chemical pres
ervatives which are prohibited by the
pure food law.
* * *
Bank Stockholders Enjoined.
Judjfe Ellis of the superior court,
Atlanta, signed an injunction restrain
ing all the stockholders of the Neal
bank from disposing of or encumber
ing in any way any real estate held
by them. He also ordered the Cen
tral Bank and Trust Corporation as
receiver on applying to the court for
leave to sell any of the property own
ed by C. T. Ladson & Co. in Cuba, or
that of the Alabama Sulphur Ore and
Copper company—both of which owed
the Neal bank large sums—to notify
counsel of the interveuors and of the
defendant.
* * *
The District School Dedicated.
The seventh district agricultural col
lege was dedicated last Friday. The
ceremonies were held at the college
grounds, two miles from Powder
Springs, beginning at noon. A large
crowd was in attendance. Dinner was
spread at the grounds, where the
exercises were 'held. Several speech
es were delivered, the principal one
fifing by State School Commissioner i
Pound.
Only the main building at th. ,,p.
lege is completed. The school op |
February 3, and a large number of i, M . I
pils are attending.
* * *
Reese Elected Episcopal Bishop,
Rev. Frederick F. Reese, pastor 0 f i
Christ Church, Nashville, Tenn . « ;IS
elected bishop of the diocese of (;., 0r . j
gla at the Episcopal convention j n I
Augusta. Three ballotB were taken, j
The strongest contest was made l )y >
the delegates supporting Dr. c. h
Strong of Savannah. On the last | ia p j
lot, however, the election was made
unanimous for Dr. Reese. The v a - ;
cancy In the bishopric of the dioc se
was caused by the state of Georgia
being divided at the general conven
tion of the church, held in Richmond j
and the election of Bishop C. K, M e p
son to serve the new diocese.
* * •
Banker Suicides by Drowning.
J. R. Carmichael, president - the |
First National Bank, of Jackson, com- <
mitted suicide by drowning in M c .j
Cord's null pond, about two mil- f ron , ]
town.
The jury of inquest rendered vi- r . j
diet that lie came to his death by j
drowning while under a spell of teni- !
pornry insanity.
lie left letters of instruction- about j
his business affairs and a lett r to '
the directors of the First .V ticnal !
Bank, of which lie was president.
In the letter to the directors lie paid 1
that the bank was in good condition, j
with perhaps some $500 worth of notes I
which might not be collected, but oth-1
erwlse everything was in fine condi-]
tion.
He left a letter to his family, the]
contents of which will not be given to j
the public.
Roads Cannot Take Off Trains
The railroad, com mission lias decided
refuse Its consent to the di om-li •
uance of any of the locnl pass nger!
trains on the Georgia railroad, which i
the road requested permission to take;
off.
Tho commission some time ago
nounced its refusal to permit the dis
continuance of the Conyers acconjnio*|
dation, and the local passenger on the;
Barnett and Washington branch. It
has now decided not to permit the dis
continuance of the accommodation out
of Augusta, or of the local train be-1
tween Camak and Macon.
The commission was at first inclin
ed to allow tho road to take oft' these
two trains, but so strenuous were the
protests against such action, that a
different course has been determined j
on.
* * ♦
First Week of Educational Train.
After a week of strenuous activity, j
the Educational Special of the Georgia
State College of Agriculture stopped
in Brunswick Saturday evening for a
brief day’s rest. On Monday morn
ing it once more rolled fortli on its j
tour of the state.
During the week the Educational j
Special visited thirty Georgia towns,
and conservative estimate says that
not less than ten thousand farmers,
and probably many more heard the ]
addresses of Dr. Soula and his assist*
ants and viewed the exhibits prepared
by the state college.
One of tho lecturers on board If a
practical oil mill man, who tells the
planters how host to market their seed
to get the best price nnd how to help
themselves by feeding coton seed meal
and hulls to their stock and how to
use the fertilizer thus generated
SEVERAL SENSATIONS
Marked Proceedings of Immigration
Convention In Tampa, Florida.
Three negro delegates Sent to the
Immigration convention at Tampa,
Fla., Thursday by local colored or
ganizations were refused seats and \
asked to retire, delegations from South
Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia ob
jecting to their presence.
Another feature of the proceeding*
was W. P. Nells, socialist of Hillsboro j
county, who appeared in the conven
tion and demanded a seat as an Amer
ican citizen. On motion of Immigra
tion Commissioner Watson of South
Carolina, Nells was made a member of
the convention, which Nells followed
by vigorously opposing immigration <>!
any sort.
F. Zimmerman of Memphis, Tenn.,
declared the convention was wasting
time, as the prohibition wave now
sweeping the south would prevent de
sirable immigration coming to this sec-
flon and drive away worthy foreign
residents already here.
The Central Trades Union of Ports
mouth, Va., presented resolutions op
posing immigration, declaring foreign
ers brought disease germs and sent
away good money.
. Secretary of State Brown of South
Carolina introduced a resolution r e '
ferring the question of immigi'a ( lo» ^
the several states, each state vV0 '' 1
out Its own motion. All resolutions
were referred to committees.
The man who makes the best use
his time generally has a good time
o(
Tears of joy and sadness come frou»|
the same tank.