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 59<br />
<strong>the</strong> metropolis. A disappointment in love is said <strong>to</strong> have cast a shadow over his after life, and <strong>to</strong> have led him<br />
<strong>to</strong> pass his time in voluntary exile on his Virginia estates, watching and promoting <strong>the</strong> rapid development of<br />
<strong>the</strong> resources of <strong>the</strong> country, following <strong>the</strong> hounds through <strong>the</strong> primeval forests, and cheering his solitary<br />
hours by reading and a limited society of chosen friends."<br />
The "love affair" <strong>to</strong> which Mr. Everett refers is explained by Mr. Irving as follows:<br />
"In <strong>the</strong> height of his fashionable career he became strongly attached <strong>to</strong> a young lady of rank, paid his<br />
addresses, and was accepted. The wedding day was fixed; <strong>the</strong> wedding dresses were provided, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with<br />
servants and equipages for <strong>the</strong> matrimonial establishment. Suddenly <strong>the</strong> lady broke her engagement. She had<br />
been dazzled by <strong>the</strong> superior brilliancy of a ducal coronet.<br />
"It was a cruel blow alike <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> affection and pride of Lord Fairfax, and wrought a change in both character<br />
and conduct. <strong>From</strong> that time he almost avoided <strong>the</strong> sex, and became shy and embarrassed in <strong>the</strong>ir society,<br />
excepting among those with whom he was connected or particularly intimate. This may have been among <strong>the</strong><br />
reasons which ultimately induced him <strong>to</strong> abandon <strong>the</strong> gay world and bury himself in <strong>the</strong> wilds of America."<br />
Lord Fairfax was charmed by <strong>the</strong> appearance of George.<br />
"A remarkable lad," he said <strong>to</strong> his relative, William Fairfax; "so manly, so intelligent in knowledge beyond his<br />
years."<br />
"Yet not a mere book-worm," replied William. "No boy likes games and hunting better than he."<br />
"A capital horseman, I notice," added <strong>the</strong> nobleman; "strong and powerful for one of his years. Yet he likes<br />
books. It seems <strong>to</strong> me that he is unusually fond of reading."<br />
Lord Fairfax possessed quite a number of valuable books, new and rare <strong>to</strong> George, who had pored over <strong>the</strong>m<br />
with absorbing interest. The nobleman inferred that he must possess an unusual taste for reading, and this was<br />
really true.<br />
"Yes, he generally wants <strong>to</strong> know what <strong>the</strong> books he meets with contain," responded William. "He has made<br />
<strong>the</strong> contents of such books as he could reach his own."<br />
"I must take him out hunting with me," continued Lord Fairfax. "He will make a good companion, I imagine."<br />
Lord Fairfax delighted in fox-hunting. In England, before he came <strong>to</strong> this country, his best sport was found in<br />
<strong>the</strong> fox-hunt. He kept his hounds, and all <strong>the</strong> accoutrements for <strong>the</strong> chase, so that he was always prepared for<br />
<strong>the</strong> sport. He found increased pleasure in <strong>the</strong> pastime after George became his companion in <strong>the</strong> chase. The<br />
latter enjoyed it, <strong>to</strong>o, with a keen relish. It was not al<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r new <strong>to</strong> him; he had been occasionally on such<br />
excursions with o<strong>the</strong>rs. But <strong>the</strong> English nobleman unders<strong>to</strong>od fox-hunting as no one else in Virginia did. He<br />
had learned it as practised by English lords, who live in baronial style. For this reason George enjoyed <strong>the</strong><br />
wild sport as he never did before.<br />
One day George was surprised by a proposition from Lord Fairfax.<br />
"How would you like <strong>to</strong> survey my lands for me, George? You appear <strong>to</strong> understand <strong>the</strong> business."<br />
"I should like nothing better if I can do it <strong>to</strong> suit you," George answered. "I like surveying."<br />
"Well, <strong>the</strong> only way for me <strong>to</strong> do is <strong>to</strong> survey my land, and sell it, if I would keep 'squatters' off," added Lord<br />
Fairfax. "Squatters" were a class of persons <strong>to</strong>ok up <strong>the</strong>ir abode upon lands which did not belong <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m,