From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 50
persons in despair, began to leave him. But he, still undaunted, continued to ply it with water, animating the
servants at the same time, both by his words and actions. For a long time the contest appeared very doubtful;
but at length a venerable old man, with a tall cap and an iron rod in his hand, like a lightning-rod, reached out
to him a curious little trough, like a wooden shoe! On receiving this he redoubled his exertions, and soon
extinguished the fire. Our joy on the occasion was unbounded. But he, on the contrary, showing no more of
transport now than of terror before, looked rather sad at the sight of the great harm that had been done. Then I
saw in my dream that after some time spent as in deep thought, he called out with much joy, 'Well ma, now if
you and the family will but consent, we can make a far better roof than this ever was; a roof of such a quality
that, if well kept together, it will last forever; but if you take it apart, you will make the house ten thousand
times worse than it was before.'"
Mr. Weems adds: "This, though certainly a very curious dream, needs no Daniel to interpret it, especially if
we take Mrs. Washington's new house for the young colony government; the fire on its east side for North's
civil war; the gourd, which George first employed, for the American three and six months' enlistments; the old
man, with his cap and iron rod, for Dr. Franklin; the shoe-like vessel which he reached to George for the
sabot, or wooden-shoed nation, the French whom Franklin courted a long time for America; and the new roof
proposed by George for a staunch, honest Republic, that 'equal government' which, by guarding alike the
welfare of all, ought by all to be so heartily beloved as to endure forever."
There are many anecdotes told of her which illustrate her character better than plain statement.
The death of her husband was a crushing blow to her; yet, on the whole, her Christian hope triumphed.
Friends offered to assist her in the management of her large estate, for all the property left to her children was
to be controlled by her until they each one became of age.
"No," she answered, "God has put the responsibility upon me by the death of my husband, and I must meet it.
He will give me wisdom and strength as I need it."
"But it is too much care and labor for a woman," suggested one, thinking that what had required the constant
and careful attention of a man could not be added to the cares of a woman, whose hands were full with
household duties before.
"We can bear more and do more than we think we can when compelled by the force of circumstances," replied
Mrs. Washington. "In ourselves we are weak, and can do but little; but by the help of God we are made equal
to the demands of duty."
"Equal to all that comes within the bounds of reason," responded the relative, intending that it was
unreasonable for the mother of five young children, the eldest but eleven years old, to undertake so much.
"Certainly; and the demands of duty are always within the bounds of reason," answered Mrs. Washington;
"that was what I said. Providence has laid this burden of care and labor upon me, and upon no one else. While
I shall be very thankful for advice and assistance from my friends, I must not shrink from the cares of this new
position."
It was in this spirit that Mrs. Washington took up the additional duties devolved upon her by the sudden death
of her husband. In view of this fact, Mr. Sparks paid her the following just tribute:
"In these important duties Mrs. Washington acquitted herself with great fidelity to her trust, and with entire
success. Her good sense, assiduity, tenderness, and vigilance overcame every obstacle; and, as the richest
reward of a mother's solicitude and toil, she had the happiness to see all her children come forward with a fair
promise into life, filling the sphere allotted them in a manner equally honorable to themselves, and to the
parent who had been the only guide of their principles, conduct, and habits. She lived to witness the noble