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 45<br />
"But I fear that mo<strong>the</strong>r will not consent <strong>to</strong> such an arrangement," suggested George.<br />
"I will confer with her upon <strong>the</strong> subject," replied Lawrence. "I think she will take <strong>the</strong> same view of it that I<br />
do."<br />
Lawrence did confer with his mo<strong>the</strong>r concerning this venture, and found her wholly averse <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> project.<br />
"I can never consent that he should follow such a life," she said.<br />
"But I am sure that he would distinguish himself <strong>the</strong>re, and bring honor <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> family," urged Lawrence.<br />
"Character is worth more than distinction," responded Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "I fear <strong>the</strong> effect of such a life upon<br />
his character."<br />
"George can be trusted in any position, no matter what <strong>the</strong> temptations may be," Lawrence pleaded.<br />
"That may be true, and it may not be true," remarked Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n. "We ought not <strong>to</strong> incur <strong>the</strong> risk unless<br />
absolutely obliged <strong>to</strong> do it."<br />
"If <strong>the</strong>re be a risk," remarked Lawrence, doubtfully.<br />
"Besides," continued Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n, "I could not consent <strong>to</strong> his going so far from home unless it were<br />
impossible for him <strong>to</strong> gain a livelihood near by."<br />
She was unyielding in this interview, and could see no reason why she should consent <strong>to</strong> such a separation.<br />
But Lawrence persevered in his efforts <strong>to</strong> obtain her consent, and finally it was given with manifest<br />
reluctance. A writer describes what followed thus:<br />
"Within a short time a British man-of-war moved up <strong>the</strong> Po<strong>to</strong>mac, and cast anchor in full view of Mount<br />
Vernon. On board of this vessel his bro<strong>the</strong>r Lawrence procured him a midshipman's warrant, after having by<br />
much persuasion gained <strong>the</strong> consent of his mo<strong>the</strong>r; which, however, she yielded with much reluctance and<br />
many misgivings with respect <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> profession her son was about <strong>to</strong> choose. Not knowing how much pain all<br />
this was giving his mo<strong>the</strong>r, George was as near wild with delight as could well be with a boy of a nature so<br />
even and steady. Now, what had all along been but a waking dream was about <strong>to</strong> become a solemn reality. His<br />
preparations were soon made: already was his trunk packed, and carried on board <strong>the</strong> ship that was <strong>to</strong> bear<br />
him so far away from his native land; and nothing now remained but <strong>to</strong> bid farewell <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> loved ones at home.<br />
But when he came and s<strong>to</strong>od before his mo<strong>the</strong>r, dressed in his gay midshipman's uniform, so tall and robust in<br />
figure, so handsome in face, and so noble in look and gesture, <strong>the</strong> thought <strong>to</strong>ok possession of her mind, that, if<br />
she suffered him <strong>to</strong> leave her <strong>the</strong>n, she might never see him more; and losing her usual firmness and<br />
self-control, she burst in<strong>to</strong> tears.<br />
"'I cannot consent <strong>to</strong> let you go,' she said, at length. 'It will break my heart, George.'<br />
"'How can I refuse <strong>to</strong> go now that I have enlisted, and my trunk is on board?' pleaded George.<br />
"'Order your trunk ashore, and return your uniform, my son, if you do not wish <strong>to</strong> crush your mo<strong>the</strong>r's heart,'<br />
responded Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n. 'I cannot bear <strong>the</strong> thought.'"<br />
George was overcome by <strong>the</strong> spectacle of his mo<strong>the</strong>r's grief, and with <strong>the</strong> tears running down his cheeks he<br />
replied, like <strong>the</strong> young hero that he was:<br />
"'Mo<strong>the</strong>r, I can never go and cause you so much grief. I will stay at home.'"