From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 128<br />
observed, 'I perceive that your excellency's eyes are turned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> right object; what say you <strong>to</strong> your wager<br />
now, sir?'--'Lost, madam,' replied <strong>the</strong> gallant governor; 'when I laid my wager I was not aware that Colonel<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n was in New York.'"<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n kept his own books at <strong>the</strong> same time that he attended <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> business of his vast estates. The same<br />
neatness, method, and accuracy characterized his accounts at Mount Vernon that characterized his writing<br />
books at Mr. Williams' school. They were models.<br />
When Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n went <strong>to</strong> Mount Vernon <strong>to</strong> live, <strong>the</strong> mansion contained only four square rooms on <strong>the</strong><br />
ground. In this condition it remained until <strong>the</strong> close of <strong>the</strong> Revolution.<br />
During <strong>the</strong> Revolution she was wont <strong>to</strong> spend <strong>the</strong> winter with her husband in his winter quarters. The<br />
accommodations were always meagre. One of <strong>the</strong>se winters he occupied a small frame house, unfurnished in<br />
<strong>the</strong> second s<strong>to</strong>ry. The general could get along with <strong>the</strong> meagre comforts, but he desired better<br />
accommodations for his wife. So he sent for a young mechanic and fellow-apprentice.<br />
"Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n will tell you what she wants, and you will make <strong>the</strong> changes under her direction," he said <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Soon Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n was in <strong>the</strong>ir presence.<br />
"Now, young men," she said, "I care for nothing but comfort here, and should like you <strong>to</strong> fit me up a beaufet<br />
on one side of <strong>the</strong> room, and some shelves and places for hanging clo<strong>the</strong>s on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r."<br />
The mechanic said afterwards that "every morning Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n came up-stairs <strong>to</strong> see us; and after she<br />
and <strong>the</strong> general had dined, she always called us down <strong>to</strong> eat at her table. We worked very hard, nailing smooth<br />
boards over <strong>the</strong> rough and worm-eaten planks, and s<strong>to</strong>pping <strong>the</strong> crevices in <strong>the</strong> walls made by time and hard<br />
usage. We studied <strong>to</strong> do everything <strong>to</strong> please so pleasant a lady, and <strong>to</strong> make some return in our humble way<br />
for <strong>the</strong> kindness of <strong>the</strong> general."<br />
When <strong>the</strong> work was completed, Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n was surveying it, when <strong>the</strong> mechanic said, "Madam, we<br />
have endeavored <strong>to</strong> do <strong>the</strong> best we could. I hope we have suited you."<br />
"I am as<strong>to</strong>nished," Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n replied. "Your work would do honor <strong>to</strong> an old master, and you are mere<br />
lads. I am not only satisfied, but highly gratified with what you have done for my comfort."<br />
She was accus<strong>to</strong>med <strong>to</strong> say, after <strong>the</strong> Revolution, "I heard <strong>the</strong> first cannon at <strong>the</strong> opening, and <strong>the</strong> last at <strong>the</strong><br />
closing, of all <strong>the</strong> campaigns of <strong>the</strong> Revolutionary war."<br />
She survived her husband by two years. As death drew near, with mind clear and heart staid on God, she<br />
awaited <strong>the</strong> final summons with calmness and sweet resignation. She called her grandchildren <strong>to</strong> her bedside,<br />
"discoursed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m of <strong>the</strong>ir respective duties, spoke of <strong>the</strong> happy influence of religion, and <strong>the</strong>n triumphantly<br />
resigned her spirit in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> hands of her Saviour," and expired.<br />
Mount Vernon is now in a good state of preservation. A national association of women have charge of <strong>the</strong><br />
place, that it may be kept in repair, and <strong>the</strong> relics--furniture, pictures, account books, library, etc.--be<br />
preserved for coming generations <strong>to</strong> see.<br />
XVI.<br />
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.