In half an hours time every one was waiting on the veranda steps for Jim. The large car was puffing impatiently to be on the road, when a gayly bedecked personage emerged from the areaway.
Oo-oh! Its Jim! yelled George, clapping Jacks back.
So tis! breathed Martha as if a louder tone would dispel the illusion.
Is Ah dressed enuff? asked Jim, beaming.
I should think so the best of the lot of us! admired Jack.
Jim minced over to display his fine feathers to the eyes that comprised his world. He had on a pair of patent leather pumps outgrown by George, a pair of Scotch plaid socks such as were worn by children some years ago. Between the top of the socks and his claret-colored velveteen breeches, his dark-brown bowed legs made a somber break. His starched shirt was too tight, but to obviate this failure, young mammy had pinned a lace jabot in front, where the black cloth Eton opened. A straw alpine hat presented to Jims father by Mr. Graham, topped this unusual costume.
Although some of the children felt like giggling, they were too polite, and thought too much of Jim to let him see what they thought of his travelling costume. So, with heart bounding joyously, he climbed in wid dee compny in the automobile.
It was a long but delightful drive to Mount Vernon, and on the way there, Mrs. Parke told the children many interesting things in connection with the Washingtons.
Of course we all know how Mount Vernon came to belong to George Washington, dont we?
We do! exclaimed George, looking at Martha and his cousins.
I dont, Mrs. Parke and I dont blieve Jim does, said John.
Ah knows that Garge General Washerton was the fust fadder uv dis country, but Ah nebber hearn who its mudder was, replied Jim seriously.
Every one shouted with laughter at the unexpected remark, and the chauffeur smiled, too.
Ill tell you about Mount Vernon first, and then we may have time to explain to Jim about the parentage of America, said Mrs. Parke, patting the woolly head beside her.
I have read to you how Augustine Washington, father of our famous George Washington, was twice married. Two sons of the first marriage and six children of the second marriage. At the fathers death, his estate was divided among the children. The oldest son inherited an estate near Hunting Creek, afterward called Mount Vernon by him, after his friend and beloved hero, Admiral Vernon.
This estate consisted originally of 2,500 acres, but later considerable land was added to it, until it became one of the best country estates in Virginia.
The second son by the first marriage inherited an estate in Westmoreland. George Washington was left the land and mansion where his parents lived at the time of the fathers death. Each of the other children inherited farms of from six to eight hundred acres.
Soon after leaving
school George went to live with his brother at Mount Vernon, the mistress of which was a sister of William Fairfax, distantly related to Lord Fairfax. In this way George became acquainted with William Fairfax, who invited the youth to visit him at Belvoir.
During this visit George made the acquaintance of the sons and daughters of his host, and also received a recommendation to Lord Fairfax for a position of surveyor.
The study of practical surveying formed an important part of Washingtons career, as it stood him in such good stead later in life.
Lawrence Washington had pulmonary trouble and was told to seek a milder climate. George was a great favorite with the oldest member of the Washington family, and he induced him to accompany him to the Barbadoes to recuperate his health, but as it did no good he returned home, and shortly after passed away.
In his will he appointed George Washington one of his executors, and the estate of Mount Vernon was bequeathed to his daughter. In case of her death without heirs the property was to pass to George. Thus it was that at the early death of the daughter of Lawrence, Mount Vernon became the property of George Washington.
But he didnt need it when he married Martha Custis, cause you told us one day that she had a big estate of her own, said Martha.
Yes, she was the mistress of a fine plantation called White House, and from this home she was married to her second husband, George Washington. But soon after this union she removed to Mount Vernon, which was ever after known as her home and family residence.
To make this house a fitting home for the bride George ordered many items of art and luxury from his agent in England. Among other things he ordered a bust of Frederick the Great, little dreaming that not many years hence his walls would be adorned by a portrait sent him by the monarch himself and autographed with the words, From the oldest general in Europe to the greatest general in the world.
Among the memoranda of his estate, business and house bookkeeping there can still be seen in the library or study at Mount Vernon many of the aged papers filed away since the day he first entered the items on his accounts.