Chapter II: Preface

Our beloved country, my dear young readers, has passed through one great revolution; and it is now in the midst of another, which promises to prove even more momentous in its consequences.

Knowing, therefore, the deep and lasting impression the great events of the day must needs produce upon your opening minds, the author of this book has been casting about him how he might contribute to your and the nation's good. As he is altogether bereft of sight, and nearly so of hearing, he is, of course, unable to lift a hand in his country's defence, or raise his voice in her justification. But she has a future; and for that he entertains an earnest hope, that through you, the rising generation, he may do something.

To this end, therefore, he has written this volume, wherein he has endeavored to set forth, in a manner more calculated to attract and impress the youthful mind than has perhaps been heretofore attempted, the life and character of our good and great George Washington.

By so doing, he hopes to awaken in your minds a desire to imitate the example and emulate the virtues of this greatest and wisest of Americans. For should he succeed in this, and thereby influence a thousand of you, when arrived at man's estate, to remain loyal to your country in her hour of peril (who might else have been tempted to turn their hand against her), then shall his humble pen have done more for her future welfare than he could have done for her present deliverance, had he the wielding of a thousand swords.

And, should he ever have reason to suppose that such were really the case, far happier would he be, even in the dark and silent depths of his solitude, than the renowned victor of a hundred battle-fields, in all the blaze and noise of popular applause. Hoping that this little book may, for your sakes, fulfil the object for which it was written, and prove but the beginning of a long and pleasant acquaintance, he will conclude by begging to subscribe himself your true friend and well-wisher,

MORRISON HEADY.

ELK CREEK, SPENCER COUNTY, KY., 1863.

CONTENTS.

_Introduction_ 17

WHEREIN IT WILL APPEAR WHO UNCLE JUVINELL IS, AND HOW HE CAME TO
WRITE THE LIFE OF "THE FARMER BOY" FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS.

I.

_George at School_ 35

IN WHICH THE YOUNG READER WILL FIND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH,
CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY EDUCATION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, AND THE
STORY OF HIS LITTLE HATCHET; FROM WHICH HE MAY DRAW A WHOLESOME
MORAL, IF HE BE DESIROUS OF GROWING IN VIRTUE; TOGETHER WITH
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE HARDLY TO BE FOUND
ELSEWHERE.

II.

_The First Sorrow_ 46

SHOWING HOW GEORGE MET WITH THE FIRST GREAT SORROW OF HIS LIFE
IN THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER; AND HOW HIS MOTHER WAS LEFT A YOUNG
WIDOW, WITH THE CARE OF A LARGE FAMILY; WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE
PRUDENCE AND WISDOM SUE DISPLAYED IN THE REARING OF HER
CHILDREN; TOGETHER WITH THE STORY OF THE SORREL COLT, WHICH
UNCLE JUVINELL INTRODUCES BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATING THE CHARACTERS
OF BOTH MOTHER AND SON.

III.

_Playing Soldier_ 54

WHEREIN THE YOUNG READER WILL FIND HOW GEORGE FIGURED AS A
LITTLE SOLDIER AT SCHOOL; WITH SOME REMARKS TOUCHING HIS
WONDERFUL STRENGTH AND ACTIVITY OF BODY, AND COURAGE OF SPIRIT;
AND HOW HE WOULD HAVE FIGURED AS A LITTLE SAILOR, HAD HE NOT
BEEN PREVENTED BY A MOTHER'S ANXIOUS LOVE; WHICH INFLUENCED NOT
ONLY THE WHOLE COURSE OF HIS FUTURE LIFE, BUT ALSO THE DESTINY
OF HIS NATIVE COUNTRY, AND, IT MAY BE, THAT OF THE WHOLE WORLD;
AS THE LITTLE READER WILL FIND OUT FOR HIMSELF. IF HE BUT HAVE
THE PATIENCE TO BEAR UNCLE JUVINELL COMPANY TO THE END OF THIS
INTERESTING HISTORY.

IV.

"_Rules of Behavior_" 61

AFFORDING TO THE READER ANOTHER AND HIS LAST GLIMPSE OF
WASHINGTON AS A SCHOOL-BOY. HERE HE WILL LEARN OF WASHINGTON'S
MANY INGENIOUS MODES OF GAINING AND RETAINING KNOWLEDGE, AND HIS
HABITS OF PUTTING IT TO PRACTICAL USES; AND WILL FIND HIS RULES
OF BEHAVIOR IN COMPANY AND IN CONVERSATION, WRITTEN AT THE AGE
OF THIRTEEN, WHICH UNCLE JUVINELL WOULD EARNESTLY RECOMMEND HIM,
AND, IN FACT, ALL HIS READERS, BE THEY BOYS OR GIRLS, MEN OR
WOMEN, TO STORE AWAY IN THEIR MEMORIES, IF THEY BE DESIROUS OF
GROWING IN VIRTUE. AND OF DEPORTING THEMSELVES IN SUCH A MANNER
AS TO GAIN THE GOOD-WILL AND ESTEEM, AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE
HAPPINESS, OF ALL AROUND THEM.

V.

_In the Wilderness_ 70

IN WHICH WILL BE SEEN HOW GEORGE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH OLD LORD
FAIRFAX, AND WAS EMPLOYED BY THIS GREAT NOBLEMAN TO ACT AS
SURVEYOR OF ALL HIS WILD LANDS; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE HE
LED IN THE WILDERNESS, AND A SOMEWHAT HIGHLY COLORED PICTURE OF
A WAR-DANCE PERFORMED BY A PARTY OF INDIANS FOR THE
ENTERTAINMENT OF HIM AND HIS FRIENDS.

VI.

_The Young Surveyor_ 78

REVEALING STILL FURTHER GLIMPSES OF WASHINGTON AS A YOUNG
SURVEYOR,--IN WHICH THE READER WILL SEE HOW THAT GREAT MAN
BROUGHT HIS LABORS IN THE WILDERNESS TO AN END; WITH SOME
REMARKS RESPECTING THE LOWLAND BEAUTY, AND HOW LITTLE IS KNOWN
OF HER.

VII.

_First Military Appointment_ 89

IN WHICH THE YOUNG READER WILL LEARN HOW WASHINGTON, AT THE
EARLY AGE OF NINETEEN, BECAME ONE OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERALS OF
THE PROVINCE OF VIRGINIA; AND HOW HE WENT ON A VOYAGE TO THE
WEST INDIES IN COMPANY WITH HIS BROTHER LAWRENCE, WHO, BEING IN
QUEST OF HEALTH, AND FAILING TO FIND IT THERE, RETURNED HOME TO
DIE.

VIII.

_Important Explanations_ 96

WHEREIN UNCLE JUVINELL AND THE LITTLE FOLKS TALK TOGETHER, IN A
PLEASING AND FAMILIAR STYLE OF CERTAIN MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE
FOREGOING PAGES; WHICH, BEING SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT OF
COMPREHENSION, NEED TO BE MORE FULLY AND CLEARLY EXPLAINED, THAT
THEY MAY THE BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT IS TO COME HEREAFTER IN THIS
INTERESTING HISTORY.

IX.

_Indian Troubles_ 165

WHEREIN UNCLE JUVINELL GOES ON WITH HIS STORY, AND TELLS THE
LITTLE FOLKS ALL THAT IS NEEDFUL FOR THEM TO KNOW CONCERNING THE
CAUSES THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE OLD FRENCH WAR; TO WHICH THE YOUNG
READER WILL DO WELL TO PAY VERY PARTICULAR ATTENTION.

X.

"_Big Talk" with "White Thunder_" 115

EXPLAINING HOW MAJOR WASHINGTON CAME TO BE SENT BY GOVERNOR
DINWIDDIE ON A MISSION TO THE FRENCH, NEAR LAKE ERIE.--HOW HE
SET OUT.--WHAT BEFELL HIM BY THE WAY.--HOW HE STOPPED AT
LOGSTOWN TO HAVE A BIG TALK WITH THE HALF-KING, WHITE THUNDER,
AND OTHER INDIAN WORTHIES.--HOW HE AT LAST REACHED THE FRENCH
FORT, AND WHAT HE DID AFTER HE GOT THERE.

XI.

_Christmas in the Wilderness_ 126

ENABLING THE YOUNG READER TO FOLLOW MAJOR WASHINGTON TO HIS
JOURNEY'S END, AND SEE HOW HE AND HIS PARTY SPENT THEIR
CHRISTMAS IN THE WILDERNESS.--HOW HE TWICE CAME NEAR LOSING HIS
LIFE, FIRST BY THE TREACHERY OF AN INDIAN GUIDE, AND THEN BY
DROWNING; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE INDIAN
PRINCESS, ALIQUIPPA.

XII.

_Washington's First Battle_ 134

IN WHICH THE YOUNG READER, AFTER GETTING A HINT OF THE
TREMENDOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT ENSUED FROM THE FRENCH GENERAL'S
LETTER, WILL FIND SO MUCH TO ENTERTAIN HIM, THAT HE WILL READILY
EXCUSE UNCLE JUVINELL FROM GIVING THE REMAINING HEADS OF THIS
CHAPTER; FURTHER THAN TO SAY, THAT IT WINDS UP WITH QUITE A
LIVELY AND SPIRITED ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON'S FIRST BATTLE.

XIII.

_Fort Necessity_ 146

WHAT BEFELL COLONEL WASHINGTON IN AND AROUND FORT NECESSITY, AND
HOW HE SUSTAINED HIS FIRST SIEGE; WHICH WILL BE FOUND EVEN MORE
ENTERTAINING THAN THE ACCOUNT OF HIS FIRST BATTLE, NARRATED IN
THE LAST CHAPTER.

XIV.

_General Braddock_ 158

IN WHICH THE YOUNG READER AND COLONEL WASHINGTON FORM THE
ACQUAINTANCE OF GENERAL BRADDOCK, AND COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSIONS
REGARDING HIS CHARACTER; AND IN WHICH THE READER IS HONORED WITH A
SLIGHT INTRODUCTION TO THE GREAT DR. FRANKLIN, WHO GIVES SOME GOOD
ADVICE, WHICH BRADDOCK, TO HIS FINAL COST, FAILS TO FOLLOW; AND IS
ENTERTAINED WITH A FEW GLIMPSES OF LIFE IN CAMP.

XV.

_Rough Work_ 172

THE READER WILL SEE HOW GENERAL BRADDOCK AT LAST SET OUT ON HIS
MARCH TO FORT DUQUESNE.--HOW HE GOT ENTANGLED IN THE WILDERNESS,
AND WAS FORCED TO CALL UPON THE YOUNG PROVINCIAL COLONEL FOR
ADVICE. WHICH, THOUGH WISELY GIVEN, WAS NOT WISELY FOLLOWED.--HOW
CAPTAIN JACK MADE AN OFFER, FOR WHICH HE GOT BUT SORRY THANKS; AND
WILL FIND A SPRINKLING OF WAYSIDE ITEMS HERE AND THERE; WHICH
SAVES THIS CHAPTER FROM BEING CONSIDERED A DULL ONE.

XVI.

_Braddock's Defeat_ 186

IN WHICH IS RECORDED THE BLOODIEST PAGE IN THE ANNALS OF AMERICA;
OR, TO EXPRESS IT OTHERWISE, AN ACCOUNT OF THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF
THE MONONGAHELA, COMMONLY CALLED BRADDOCK'S DEFEAT; WHICH, IT WILL
BE SEEN AT A GLANCE, MIGHT HAVE TURNED OUT A VICTORY AS WELL, HAD
WASHINGTON'S ADVICE BEEN FOLLOWED.

XVII.

_Explanations_ 200

WHEREIN UNCLE JUVINELL AND THE LITTLE FOLKS DISCOURSE TOGETHER, IN
A LIVELY AND ENTERTAINING STYLE, OF DIVERS MATTERS TO BE FOUND,
AND NOT TO BE FOUND, IN BOOK THURSDAY; WHICH MAY SEEM OF LITTLE
CONSEQUENCE TO THOSE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO WISE TO BE AMUSED,
AND WHO WOULD, ANY TIME, RATHER SEE A FACT BROUGHT OUT STARK NAKED
THAN DRESSED HANDSOMELY. SUCH OWLS ARE REQUESTED TO PASS OVER THIS
CHAPTER, AND PERCH UPON BOOK FRIDAY, PORTIONS OF WHICH WILL, BE
FOUND QUITE AS DRY AS THEY COULD POSSIBLY DESIRE.

XVIII.

_Work in Earnest_ 210

SHOWING HOW BRADDOCK'S ARMY CONTINUED ITS FLIGHT TO
PHILADELPHIA.--HOW WASHINGTON RETURNED TO MOUNT VERNON, AND WAS
SHORTLY AFTERWARDS MADE COMMANDER OF ALL THE FORCES OF VIRGINIA;
AND HOW HE WENT TO BOSTON, AND WHY; WITH OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.

XIX.

_Dark Days_ 222

STILL FARTHER ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON'S TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS
AND WITH HIS OWN MEN, AND NOTICE OF HIS MISUNDERSTANDING WITH
GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE; ALL OF WHICH, COMBINED, RENDER THIS THE
SADDEST AND THE GLOOMIEST PERIOD OF HIS LIFE.

XX.

_A New Enterprise_ 233

CONTAINING GLIMPSES OUTSIDE OF THE DIRECT LINE OF OUR STORY, WITH
A MORE MINUTE AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL ACCOUNT OF HOW WASHINGTON WOOED
AND WON A FAIR LADY THAN IS TO BE MET WITH ELSEWHERE; WITH SOME
PARTICULARS TOUCHING AN INTENDED EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE.

XXI.

_More Blundering_ 244

SHOWING HOW BRADDOCK'S FOLLY WAS REPEATED BY MAJOR GRANT, AS
FOREBODED BY WASHINGTON; AND ALSO WHAT CAME OF THE EXPEDITION
AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE.

XXII.

_Washington at Home_ 255

GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON'S MARRIAGE WITH MRS. CUSTIS.--HIS
RECEPTION BY THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF BURGESSES.--HIS HABITS AS A MAN
OF BUSINESS.--HIS RURAL PURSUITS AND AMUSEMENTS.--HIS LOVE OF
SOCIAL PLEASURES.--HIS ADVENTURE WITH A POACHER; AND MANY OTHER
ITEMS; ALL OF WHICH, COMBINED, MAKE THIS CHAPTER ONE OF THE MOST
PLEASING AND ENTERTAINING OF THE WHOLE BOOK.

XXIII.

_A Family Quarrel_ 269

WHEREIN THE YOUNG READER WILL FIND WHAT WILL BE EXPLAINED MORE TO
HIS SATISFACTION IN CHAPTER XXIV.

XXIV.

_The Cause of the Quarrel_ 276

AFFORDING A MORE CLEAR, AND SATISFACTORY ACCOUNT OF THE CAUSES
THAT BROUGHT ABOUT OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR THAN WAS GIVEN IN CHAPTER
XXIII; BUT CHAPTER XXV. MUST NEEDS BE READ, BEFORE A FULL AND
COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THESE MATTERS CAN BE ARRIVED AT.

XXV.

_Resistance to Tyranny_ 288

ILLUSTRATING WHAT PART WASHINGTON TOOK IN THESE MEASURES OF
RESISTANCE TO BRITISH TYRANNY.--HOW HE BECAME A REPRESENTATIVE OF
VIRGINIA IN THE GREAT COLONIAL ASSEMBLY, OTHERWISE CALLED THE OLD
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; AND HOW, UPON THE BREAKING-OUT OF
HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE COLONIES AND THE MOTHER-COUNTRY, HE WAS
MADE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF ALL THE FORCES OF THE UNITED COLONIES;
WITH OTHER ITEMS TOUCHING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONTINENTAL
CONGRESS, AND PATRICK HENRY, THE GREAT VIRGINIA ORATOR.

XXVI.

_Conclusion_ 301

WHEREIN THE YOUNG READER WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH THE PLEASING AND
EDIFYING CONVERSATION WHICH TOOK PLACE BETWEEN UNCLE JUVINELL AND
THE LITTLE FOLKS, TOUCHING DIVERS MATTERS IN BOOK FRIDAY; WHICH
DEMAND FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF
OUR HISTORY, PAST AND TO COME.

THE FARMER BOY.