Peggy Owen at Yorktown

  CHAPTER XII--THE HOME OF WASHINGTON

  "By broad Potowmack's azure tide, Where Vernon's Mount in sylvan pride, Displays its beauties fair."

  --"Ode to Mount Vernon," David Humphreys.

  "Oh, I wonder if Lady Washington hath returned yet from headquarters,"cried Peggy so interested in the fact that she might again behold thatlady that she forgot that it was raining. "I would like so much to seeher! I knew her quite well at Middlebrook in New Jersey when the armylay there for winter quarters two years ago. Mother and I were therewith father."

  "'Tis early for her to return from headquarters, is it not?" asked thenurse, touching the horse lightly with the whip. "Methinks that I haveheard her say that she always heard the first and last guns of acampaign; and campaigns do not begin in April at the North."

  "True," said Peggy. "Then will it not be an intrusion to go there duringher absence?"

  "Intrusion to escape a thunder-storm?" laughed Mrs. Johnson. "Hardly, mychild. We should be welcome even though we did not seek to avoid adrenching. The general hath left orders with his overseer, Mr. LundWashington, that hospitality should be extended to every one the same asthough he were there in person. Then too every one in this part of thecountry goes to Mount Vernon for help in every sort of distress. Oh,yes! we shall be very welcome."

  "Mount Vernon?" mused the girl. "I wonder why 'tis so called? We callour country home 'Strawberry Hill,' but that is because of the vastquantities of strawberries that grow there. I see not why the generalshould call his place Mount Vernon."

  "I can enlighten you as to that, Peggy. The estate formerly belonged tohis half-brother, Lawrence Washington. He too was of a military turn,and served with Admiral Vernon of the British Navy in an expeditionagainst Carthagena in South America. He married Anne Fairfax on hisreturn, and built this house on the estate left him by his father. Sogreat was his admiration for the gallant admiral that he called his homeMount Vernon, in his honor. There was but one child born of the union,and on her death General George Washington, who was a great favoritewith his brother, became his heir. Lawrence died also, so the generalcame into possession. He hath left the place much as his brother had it,though he contemplates its enlargement when relieved of military duty, Ihear. My husband's mother was of the Fairfax family, which is the reasonmy son is so called. 'Tis the fashion among Virginians to give familynames to their children. There! we are going to be caught by the stormafter all!"

  There came a vivid flash of lightning followed by a deafening peal ofthunder as she finished speaking. Their horse reared in affright, thenplunged forward in a terrified run. The storm was upon them in all itsfury. The rain beat into the cabriolet from all sides, and soon theyabandoned any effort to keep dry. It seemed to Peggy that she had neverseen such a storm before, and never had she been out in such a one. Therain came down in torrents. Flash after flash of dazzling light dartedacross the sky, accompanied by a continuous roar of thunder like thedischarge of artillery. It was impossible to hear each other speak, sothey drew close together, the nurse controlling the horse as best shecould.

  Suddenly as they ascended a small steep hill from the edge of a wildravine the mansion with all its surroundings came into view. Peggyforgot that her garments were wet through and through; forgot that itwas raining so hard that the outlines of the dwelling were blurred andindistinct, and leaned forward eagerly to see the home of GeneralWashington.

  Stately trees shaded the lodges which stood on each side of the entrancegate; and, as they drove through, a colored boy darted from one of thelodges and taking hold of the bridle rein ran abreast of the animal withthem to the dwelling.

  The villa, as General Washington called it, was at this time not solarge as it is now, the general having enlarged and added to the mansionafter the Revolution. It was, however, a house of the first class thenoccupied by thrifty Virginia planters; of the old gable-roofed style,two stories in height, with a porch in front, and a chimney builtinside, at each end, contrary to the prevailing custom. It stood upon amost lovely spot, on the brow of a gentle slope which ended at a thicklywooded precipitous river bank, its summit nearly one hundred feet abovethe water. Before it swept the Potomac with a magnificent curve, andbeyond the broad river lay the green fields and shadowy forests ofMaryland.

  The door opened as the carriage reached the porch, and a man camehastily to their assistance. He said not a word until they were safelywithin the entrance hall, and then he turned to Nurse Johnson with asmile.

  "Well, well, Hannah Johnson," he said. "Who would ever have thought ofseeing you here? Quite a little sprinkle we're having."

  "I should say it was a sprinkle, Lund Washington," retorted NurseJohnson, gazing ruefully at her wet clothing. "It strikes me more like abaptism; and you know I don't hold with immersion."

  "I know," he said laughing. "Never mind. We'll soon get you fixed up."Mr. Lund Washington was General Washington's relative, who had charge ofthe estate while the owner was away to the war.

  At this moment a pleasant-faced, plump little woman came bustling intothe hall, and hastened to greet them.

  "I could not come sooner, Hannah," she said. "I was making a lettucetart which we are to have for supper. Come right up-stairs, both of you,and change that wet clothing. Nay, my child," as Peggy mindful of herdripping garments hesitated. "It doth not matter about the dripping. Allthat concerns us is to get you both into dry garments."

  With such a welcome Peggy felt at home at once, and followed theoverseer's wife obediently up the broad stairway to one of the chambersabove. Mrs. Washington went to a chest of drawers and drew forth somefolded garments.

  "These are just the things for you, my dear," she said. "They wereMartha's, and will fit you exceedingly well."

  "I thank thee," said Peggy taking them reverently, for Martha had beenLady Washington's only daughter, and she had been told of her earlydeath.

  "I see you are a Quakeress," said Mrs. Washington pleasantly. "We havemany such down here, though not so many as are in your state. How vastlythe frock becomes her. Doth it not, Hannah?"

  "It does indeed," replied Nurse Johnson glancing at the girl withapproval. "Child, you should never wear aught but colors. You were nevermade for the quiet garb of your sect."

  "Some of our Society are not so strict anent such matters as they mightbe," Peggy told them, a smile coming to her lips as she recalled thenumerous rebukes concerning gay apparel given by the elders at themeetings. "'Tis only of late that I have dressed so quietly."

  "Now, my dear," spoke Mrs. Washington, setting a dainty lace cap on themaiden's dark hair, "look in the mirror, and see if the result doth notplease you."

  "It pleases me well," answered Peggy surveying her reflection with asmile. "In truth it hath been long since I have been arrayed so gayly.Mother doth not approve of much dressing while the war lasts."

  "Your mother is right," concurred the lady with warmth. "Mrs. Washingtonfeels just the same about the matter. Still, I doubt if your motherwould remain of that opinion were she to see you now. Would that shecould, or that a limner[[6]] were here to depict your likeness."

  In truth the girl made a charming picture in the dainty frock ofdove-colored Persian flowered with roses of cherry hue, and finishedwith a frill of soft lace from which her white throat rose fair andgirlish. A pair of high-heeled red slippers completed the costume, andPeggy would have been more than human if her eyes had not brightened,and her cheeks flushed at her image in the mirror.

  Mrs. Washington led them at once to the great dining-room, where theyfound Mr. Washington, and young Fairfax Johnson who had arrived a shorttime after them. The storm had ceased, but the clouds still hung darkand lowering, producing an early twilight. A house servant was justlighting the myrtle-berry candles in the lusters as they entered theroom, and the light glinted from the floor, scoured to a shiningwhiteness. The blacks brought in the supper immediately, an
d the littleparty gathered about the table informally. Peggy found herself seatedbeside Fairfax Johnson.

  A spirit of mischief seized her, and made her sit silent, waiting forhim to speak.

  "For," she thought roguishly, "'twill never do in the world to havenaught to record for the girls but those two remarks, 'It looks likerain,' and 'It is raining.' If I do not speak he must, or else be guiltyof discourtesy."

  Her patience was soon rewarded. The youth struggled bravely with hisbashfulness, and presently turned to her.

  "It hath stopped raining," he said.

  Peggy's dimples came suddenly, and her eyes twinkled, but she answereddemurely:

  "It hath, Friend Fairfax, for which I am glad. It was a severe storm.Did thee get very wet?"

  "Yes," he answered. "It rained hard."

  "Oh, dear!" thought the girl. "Will he never have anything to say exceptabout that rain? I wonder what Betty would do? Such a nice lad should bebroken of his shyness." Then aloud: "And Star, friend? Is she allright?"

  "Yes. Didn't seem to mind it a bit, after the first scare. Did you getwet?"

  "Yes. Monstrously so," replied Peggy, surprised that he was doing sowell. "He won't need any help if this continues," was her mentalcomment. Then, "Mrs. Washington gave me some of Lady Washington'sdaughter's clothes to wear. They just fit me. Was she not kind?"

  "Very," he answered briefly. "If--if getting wet always makes you looklike you do to-night you had better get wet every day," he blurted outabruptly, and then turned from her decidedly, blushing furiously.

  Peggy caught her breath at the suddenness of the thing, and coloredalso.

  "Peggy, Peggy," she chided herself reproachfully. "Thee should not havespoke about thy frock. No doubt the lad deemed it duty to say somethingof the kind to thee. 'Twas not seemly in thee. And how shall I answerhim?"

  She was saved the necessity of a reply, however, by Mr. Washington, whosaid:

  "You are quite well acquainted with the general and his wife, Hannahtells me, Miss Peggy. If 'twould please you to see something of theestate I will take you about a little in the morning before you start.You should see something of the place while you are in these parts."

  "Oh, I should be pleased," cried Peggy her animation returning at this."Thee is very kind, sir."

  "The pleasure will be mine," was the courteous reply.

  And so it happened that Peggy rose betimes the next morning, but earlyas she deemed it Mr. Washington was awaiting her. He had a little ponysaddled and bridled ready for her to mount.

  "We will have time for a short look about before breakfast," he saidkindly. "'Tis my custom to ride to all the farms through the day, as thegeneral does when he is home. 'Twould take too long for us to do that,but you can form an idea of the extent of the plantation by thisdetour."

  Thanking him Peggy mounted, and they set off at a brisk pace. All traceof the storm had passed save a dewy freshness of the air, and thewetness of the grass. The sun was shining with all the warmth andbrightness of an April day in Virginia. The birds were twittering amidthe new-born leaves, and the hyacinths and tulips were coming to theirglory in the gardens. The smiles of cultivation were on every hand, andthe air was heavy with the perfume of growing things after a rain.

  The grounds in the immediate vicinity of the mansion were laid out inthe English taste, Mr. Washington told her. The estate itself consistedof ten thousand acres which were apportioned into farms, devoted todifferent kinds of culture, each having its allotted laborers. Much,however, was still wild woodland, seamed with deep dells and runs ofwater, and indentured with inlets; haunts of deer and lurking places offoxes. The whole woody region along the Potomac with its forest andrange of hills afforded sports of various kinds, and was a noble huntingground.

  The girl found that the plantation was a little empire in itself. Themansion house was the seat of government, with dependencies, such askitchens, smoke-houses, work-shops and stables. There were numeroushouse servants for domestic service, and a host of field negroes for theculture of the crops. Their quarters formed a kind of hamlet apart,composed of various huts with little gardens and poultry yards, all wellstocked, and swarming with little darkies gamboling in the sunshine.

  Among the slaves were artificers of all kinds: tailors, shoemakers,carpenters, wheelwrights, smiths, and so on; so that the plantationproduced everything within itself for ordinary use. The time was tooshort to permit of Peggy's seeing more than a small part of the whole,but she saw enough to permit of an estimate of the estate. As theyreturned to the mansion Mr. Washington assisted her to dismount, sayingas he did so:

  "No view of Mount Vernon is complete without a look at the Potomac fromthe wharf, Miss Peggy. You will just have time for that before the callcomes for breakfast. Be quick; for yonder comes Mrs. Washington, and shewon't want the cakes to cool."

  "I will be back in a minute," cried Peggy catching his mood. Laughinggayly she ran swiftly across the sward under the trees and on to thewharf, which lay a little below the mansion, in front of the deer park.

  "This is the place in truth for a fine view," commented the girl as shereached the extreme end of the wharf. "Peggy, take a good long look.Thee will never have another chance, I fear. Heigh-ho! what will thegirls say to this? 'Twill take the most of three pages in the diary totranscribe the half of this momentous day. It is a beautiful river,though of course I am partial to my own Delaware. No wonder the generalloves his home. How the river winds and curves----Why!"

  Peggy stopped short in her musings, and opened her eyes wide insurprise; for a large ship was bearing directly toward the wharf. For amoment she gazed, and then, as the ship veered slightly in her course,she caught sight of the flag at the taffrail. And at sight of that flagevery drop of color left her face. For the flag was the emblem ofEngland, and the ship was headed for Mount Vernon.

  -----[6] Portrait-painter.