From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 60
without leave or license.
"You can do it to suit me, I have no doubt," continued the noble lord, "and I can satisfy you as to pay."
"I will confer with Lawrence about it," said George; "and I shall want to see my mother, also, I have no doubt
but that they will think well of the plan."
"That is right," answered Lord Fairfax. "Think it over carefully before you decide. You can undertake the
work any time."
George was not long in consulting Lawrence, nor in securing the approval of his mother. He had frequently
been home to see his mother, improving every favorable opportunity to show his filial devotion thereby. On
this visit, the prospect of an honorable and remunerative pursuit added interest thereto.
Having obtained the approval of his mother and Lawrence, and formally accepted the proposition of Lord
Fairfax, George set to work in earnest preparation for the task. He would be under the necessity of plunging
into the wilderness, where savage beasts and savage men might confront him at almost any time. He must
travel on horseback with attendants carrying his outfit at considerable disadvantage, shooting game and
catching fish for food, and be absent weeks and possibly months at a time. Camping out at night, or finding a
lodge in some poor cabin, breasting severe storms, encountering Indians, and other new experiences required
preparation.
George William Fairfax, a son of William, accompanied him, together with two or three attendants. A writer
describes the heroic boy, then sixteen years of age, as follows:
"There he is, a tall, handsome youth, with his right arm thrown across the horse's neck, and his left hand
grasping his compass-staff. He is clad in a buck-skin hunting-shirt, with leggings and moccasins of the same
material, the simple garb of a backwoods man, and one that well becomes him now, as in perfect keeping with
the wildness of the surrounding scenery; while in his broad leathern belt are stuck the long hunting-knife and
Indian tomahawk. In stature he is much above most youths of the same age. He is of a noble, robust form,
with high and strong but smooth features, light brown hair, large blue eyes, not brilliant, but beaming with a
clear and steady light, as if a soul looked through them that knew no taint of vice or meanness, and a
countenance aglow with truth and courage, modest gentleness, and manly self-reliance."
"You must continue to keep your journal," said Lawrence; "it will be more valuable than ever to you."
George had kept a journal of events and experiences for two or three years, and his brother encouraged him in
doing it as valuable discipline.
"I intend to do it," answered George, "and I shall take more interest in it because I shall have something worth
recording."
"Twenty or thirty years from now you will put a higher value upon your journal than you do now," added
Lawrence. "I should recommend every youth to keep a journal."
"Especially in the woods," responded George, facetiously.
"Yes, in the woods or out; no boy can afford to lose the discipline of it," rejoined Lawrence. "For so simple
and easy practice it pays a large interest."
"Small investments and large income! That is what you mean," remarked George.