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 57<br />
YOUNG SURVEYOR.<br />
"George can make his home with me, now that his school-days are over," said Lawrence <strong>to</strong> his mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
anxious <strong>to</strong> keep his young bro<strong>the</strong>r in his own family at Mount Vernon.<br />
"But I need him more than you do," objected Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n; "you can hardly imagine how I miss him."<br />
"So do we miss him when he is not here," responded Lawrence. "George is good company, as much so as a<br />
man of twenty-five years of age. I want very much that he should make his home with me."<br />
"I thought he might be of service <strong>to</strong> me in running <strong>the</strong> farm, and, at <strong>the</strong> same time, pursue his studies by<br />
himself," continued Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
"He can study better with me," suggested Lawrence, "because I can assist him as well as not."<br />
"There is no doubt of that," replied <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r, "and that is <strong>the</strong> only reason I can see why he should make his<br />
home with you."<br />
"There is one o<strong>the</strong>r reason, mo<strong>the</strong>r, and a good one, <strong>to</strong>o."<br />
"What is it?"<br />
"He will have a better opportunity <strong>to</strong> get in<strong>to</strong> business if he lives with me. I have much company, and just <strong>the</strong><br />
class of men <strong>to</strong> introduce a capable youth like George in<strong>to</strong> some good pursuit."<br />
"There is something in that," responded Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
"There is much in it every way," added Lawrence. "George is now at an age when his plans for life should be<br />
forming. He is competent <strong>to</strong> occupy almost any position that offers, and I can be of real service <strong>to</strong> him in<br />
directing and advising him."<br />
There is evidence <strong>to</strong> believe that Lawrence had not wholly abandoned <strong>the</strong> idea of introducing George in<strong>to</strong><br />
military life. He himself had become a man of influence in <strong>the</strong> State. He was a member of <strong>the</strong> <strong>House</strong> of<br />
Burgesses, and adjutant-general of his district; a gentleman of acknowledged ability and position. He saw in<br />
George <strong>the</strong> foreshadowing of a distinguished man. He had more exalted ideas than his mo<strong>the</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> boy's<br />
ability and promise. If he could have him in his family, he could assist him onward and upward, beyond what<br />
would be possible if he remained with his mo<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
It was finally settled that George should take up his abode with Lawrence at Mount Vernon. We need not say<br />
that this decision was congenial <strong>to</strong> George. He was so strongly attached <strong>to</strong> Lawrence, and enjoyed being at<br />
Mount Vernon so much, that he found great delight in removing thi<strong>the</strong>r permanently. It proved <strong>to</strong> be a very<br />
important step in his career, as Lawrence prophesied it would be.<br />
George had not passed his sixteenth birthday. Though still a boy, his views and aims of life were those of a<br />
man. He pursued arithmetic and surveying under <strong>the</strong> direction of his bro<strong>the</strong>r, with reference <strong>to</strong> future<br />
manhood. Nor was that all.<br />
One day Lawrence surprised him by <strong>the</strong> inquiry, "George, how would you like <strong>to</strong> take lessons in <strong>the</strong> manual<br />
exercise of Adjutant Muse?"<br />
"I should like it," George replied.