istic of the Father of his Country, will The widow Washington used to ride about the plantation in a low carriage, instead of on horseback, as a man would have done, giving her orders and overseeing the work. The story goes that she one day discovered that in one instance her agent had not followed her directions. When she took him to task for it he explained that he had found a better way to do it, and when he was about to show her his improvement, she sternly interrupted him with: "And, pray, who gave you any exercise of judgment in the matter? I command you, sir; there is nothing left for you to do but to obey." GEORGE'S FONDNESS FOR HORSES There seems to have been no school near "Ferry Farm" of a higher grade than "Hobby's" field school, so his own devices for a while. George was left to He had his younger brothers and Betty to look after and to play with. He felt the care of them more since his father died, but he was a great, growing boy and as restless as such boys generally are. Although he did not have the peculiar temptations of the city boy, the tendency to be idle and "good-for-nothing" is always strong, no matter where a lad lives. There were plenty of men, laborers, and slaves on the plantation. Sailors often visited the wharf on the estate and spun yarns of pirates and sea adventures, while taking on a cargo of tobacco. Of course, George enjoyed the outdoor life, making friends of dogs and horses -especially the horses, for which he manifested a great fondness all through life. Then he ran, jumped, wrestled, pitched quoits, tossed iron bars, swam, fished, hunted, as healthy, energetic country boys have done in all ages of the world. No doubt he went coon hunting many a night, and had the great delight of roasting ears of corn, which has always been a favorite sport in Virginia. But George's chief passion was for horses. He liked nothing better than to be astride a fractious animal and keep his seat in spite of all its efforts to throw him. To control a horse gave him the keenest pleasure, the sense of m There was a dealer in blood horses at andria who offered to make the boy a pres a certain fiery colt if he could ride it to Vernon and back without losing his seat lad mounted the animal and started off. time he rode back in triumph. But wh dealer told George the horse was his, laughed and shook his head, saying he h earned it, for he had been thrown onc dragged on the ground, too, but he did n his hold on the reins. The following incident, described by ington's adopted son, George Wash Parke Custis, was said to have occurred this time. It reads like an imitation familiar story of young Alexander tan fiery steed, to which is added a "hatch cherry-tree" moral: HOW HE "BROKE” THE SORREL COLT "We shall present our readers wi one anecdote of no ordinary intere and character. The blooded horse w the Virginian favorite in those days well as these. Washington's moth 56 |