FIRST IX WAR AND FEACE. WASHINGTON'S BIRTHTLACE TO BB MARKED BT A MONVMENT. A Granite Shaft to Be Erected by the Government Story of the Old Ilouse IU Historic Inmatei. WORK has begun on the monument to mark the birthplace of Washington, at Wakefield, Va., and the substantial completion of the work this year seems assured. A shaft of Amer ican light granite, about forty feet high, trill rent npon a plinth and a die for the inscription, and these in turn upon two boses, the lower one twelve feet square, so that the total height of the structure will be fifty one feet. That height will fully an ewer tho requirement of being visible from the decks of vessels in the chan nel of the I'otomno, not quite four miles distant. The successful design among tho twenty-nino snbrnittod tas from the snmo firm, Crawford & Son., Buffalo, N. Y,, that erected tho me morial to Mary Washington at Fred ericksburg, and the rotative porpor tions of the latter monument are clocoly followed. It has been settled that the inscriptions on the monu ment shall be of the simplest character. The words "Birthplace of Washing ton," will be cut out into the die tone, and tho words "Erected by the United Btatrs, 1895," cnt into the front of the first base. Mr. Crawford cays that it will probably take him about a year to complete the construc tion of the monument according to tho design approved by the Secretary of 8tnts. The old homestead, about seventy miles below the National Capital, will Lcreafter, perhaps, become more of a resort for patriotio visitors, since, with the funds provided by CongTess, a pier has been built in the river, about two miles from the monument site, and a road to the latter con structed. The improvements, with tho purchase of the ground required, left only abont (11,000 for the mono- rJGiaii sv mt fii sg -- "WAKEFIELD", WASHINGTON'S BIRTHPLACE. tnent itself, but that sum lias been sufficient The formal dedication of the completed structure could easily be arranged, it would seein, for the birthday anniversary of 1800. Near the steamboat landing and close by Bridges Creek is the old Washington family vault, containing the bones of Washington's father and of Augustine Washington's first wife and of some of his ancestors. This vault will be enclosed in some suita ble way. From the wharf at Bridges Creek an improved roadway will be made and enolosed by a fence on either side, leading southwestward and southward a mile and a half to the site of Washington's birthplace, A WASETKOTOH MOOTMKKT AT TEE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Wakefield House, on the bank of Pope's Creek, a wide arm of the Poto mac. Nothing now remains of this bonse but the fonuriution walls, flush with itbe ground. The landscape surround ing the site is not particularly attrac tive at present, but with proper grad ing, plauting and improvement it could doubtless be transformed into handsome park. It is like any com mon fallow field covered with gross and weeds, and here and there dotted with clumps of wild fig bushes, ragged pine trees, hemlocks and shapely cedars. On the spot where the old Wakefield House stood, a flat-sided freestone slab was plaoed in filial de votion in the year 1815 by George Wash' ington Parke Curtis, Washington's . adopted son, bearing this inscription BE RE ' On the 31d February, 1781. GBUHGE WASHINGTON W.'.S liUHN. . Aj Ut as IV t -..v.'j was still to tact, but with the action of time and the depredations of the telle hunters, it is now no longer recognizable. After the death of Augustine Wash ington, the Wakefield property was inherited by bis sot Augustine, Jr., George's next youngest brother, on attaining his majority. Years after ward it came into the possession of Colonel Lewis W. Washington, when a reservation was made of the spot which the old house had ocenpied. In 1858 this reservation, together with the burial plot at Bridges Creek, was presented to the State of Virginia by its owners upon condition that the place be enclosed and a fitting monu ment inscribed as the birthplace of Washington. But this was not done, and subsequently the) Virginia Legis lature ceded back the reservations to the last owner, Mr. John E. Wilson, the husband of Betty Washington, whoso grandfather was William Augus tine Washington, the half-nephew of George. In 1879 tho need of a proper me morial to mark the Washington birth site was called to the attention of Con gress, and in June of that year an ap propriation of 83000 was granted for a monument, to be erected under the supervision of the Secrotnry of State. In the early spring of 1880 William M. Evarts, then Secretary of State, and much interested in tho sucoess of the project, visited tho place and exerted himself in the consideration of plans and designs for the monument. In May following he reported to the House of Representatives his opinion that 830,000, instead of 83000, would be necessary to provide such a Btrno tnre as the nature and dignity of the subject demanded, and as a result the appropriation was increased by Con gress in February, 1884, to the higher figure, but from one cause and another nothing further was done, and the project was allowed to drop until February, 1893, when Congress author ized the use of 811,130 of the 830,000 already appropriated in constructing a wharf as a means of approach to the proposed monument. From all accounts the, old Wakefield "mansion" was in truth but a very ordinary farm house, even in its primi tive day. But there is little question that the hero-mother and her worthy husband lived an ideal country life there, in the midst of their prosperous plantation, attended by the nsual com plement of slaves, and dispensing to all comers the generous hospitality characteristic of the old Virginia fami lies in Colonial days. The most dis tinctive features of the house were its immense chimneys on each end, built from the ground on the outside of the frame dwelling so large, indeed, as to make the house look disproportion ately small in comparison with them. Each wide fireplace is said to have had capacity snflloient for a cord of wood at one time. The building had but one floor and an attio nnder the big hip-roof, which was broken by dormer windows to admit the light. At the front was a wide porch, extending the whole width of the house. On the right side of the entrance was the par lor, and its fireplace was decorated, after the fashion of that time in the dwellings of the well-to-do, with blue Dntoh tiles of quaint design. There were but three otuer rooms of fair size on the first floor, the largest being in the one-story extension at the back. used as a sleeping ohamber by Augus tine and Mary. In that comparatively humble room the greatest American was born, February, 22, 1731. There also, besides his sister Botty, who was born in June, 1733, his brother Samuel first saw the light, in Novom bcr, 1734. The house stood back about a hun dred yards from the bank of Pope's Creek, about half a mile southwest from the Potomuo in a straight line. The plantation was a triangular- shaped track, bounded by the Potomao and Bridges and Popes Creeks, and comprised somewhat over 1000 acres of wood and bottjm land, on which were produoed lurge crops of tobaoco lor export. The trading vessels of that day being mostly of light draught, so diUloulty was encountered in mooring close to shore and taking on their car goes of tobaoco direct from the fields where the weed had been produced. When George Washington was but little over four years old the historic house was accidentally destroyed by nre. The burning happened on a windy day in April, 1735. The slaves in the yard were burning brush and other "trash," as is nsual in the spring, when suddenly some sparks were carried Irom the bnrning neap tn the dry shingles of the home rocf. In a few moments the whole struotnre was wrapped in flames. Augustine Washington, the father, was absent at the time, and Mary, the mother, took command in his stead. Under her di rection the family furniture and valu ables were removed by the slaves to a place of safety, and then, without wasting time in idle lamentation, she set all hands to assist in making up beds andt preparing upper in a cabin at the rear, which, fortunately had es carped burning. The new house, "Pine Grove," which Augustine Washington Immedi ately bnilt down in Stafford County, Virginia, across the Biver Rappa hannock from Fredericksburg, was modeled closoly on the plan of the Wakefield home. There the remainder of the children were born, and there Augustine died, in 1713, and was buried in the vault with his first wife. Jane Butler, at Bridges Creok. When First a National Hero, Washington's triumphal entry Into) Boston was tho signal victory which made him first a National hern. Up to that moment he had been deserving Virginia gentloman put in command of some Continental forces. Now he bogan to be regarded as the military Moses of the whoU people of the American Colonics. Congress itself set the pace by vot ing, on motion of John Adnms, a medal to bo struck in honor of their victori ous general. This was done and we have the pleasure of reproducing here a drawing of tho face of the medal. The profile is (aid to be on excellent likeness of Washington in his prime. fOXOnzSS MEDAL TO WAsmXOTOH. The Innate modesty and judicial quality oi the victor was well illustrat ed in the remark made by him on be ing notified of Congress' intended medal to his honor. Speaking of hia men, he said : "They were, indeed, at first a band of nndisciplined husbandmen ; but it is, under God, to their bravery and at ton yon to dutj that I am indebted for Chat success which has procured me the only reward I wish to receive, tho aflection and esteem of my country men." Pathfinder. As to tu'nnbT As a rule, giants are not long-lived. They have too many ganntlets to run ; being giants that being anything over six feet six they naturally drift into the show business and are thence forth incarcerated in vans, close rooms, and in the dingy and eCluvia laden air of the exhibition room. Their not overresisting lungs here in hale the combined efiluvin and aroma that arise from the lungs, skin and not overclean or over-well-aired clothes of their many admirers, all of which is not conducive to either health or to long life. It would seem reasonable to believe that a giant be he seven or ten feet tall who is well formed, and who has every organ in a just proportion to his bulk, should live as long as a small man or as long as his heredity might otherwise permit ; reasoning theoretically this would seem probable, but when we come to well analyze the subject and compare the actual facts we find that something or other always goes wrong and that owing to many an "if," we find that our giant dies early as a rule. Some one organ goos wrong and the great machine comes to a stop ; or some or gan does not keep pace with the rest of the inoreasd in bulk, and he goes halting and squeaking, or either an overwork or an underwork here or there and a physiological inadequacy of some sort is the result, with a general deterioration of the whole structure and with a finally premature death. In ether words, there is sura to be a failing link in the physiologi cal soheme of these abnormal beings, which, by giving way, breaks the con tinuity of the chain of life, and that, independent of any of those moral de linquencies which are but too often the cause of an early breakdown. It is simply that the whole structure would not work abnormally In every detail. National Popular Review, Washington's tiood Luck. History tells us of the personal reconnoissance of Washington and Lafayette around Elk Landing, ML, when the British debarkod at that point, from whence they marched to the Brandywine, Penn. It also states that they camped npon Chestnut Hill, Del., from whioh point the Upper Chesapeake is distinctly visible. They made an early start from their bivouac and went northwestward to strike the road leading from Elk Land ing to Newark, and entered a farm house whioh stands about one hundred yards from the road, to try for a breakfast. They were graciously re ceived by the lady of the house and found a table nioely set and the break fast ready to be served. Lafayette manifested great delight at their good luok, and they were soon seated. The lady of the house, leav ing the room for a moment, Washing ton touched Lafayette under the table with his foot and said: "Eat in a hurry ; this breakfast was not meant for us." He took the hint, and it was not long before they were again in the saddle, after expressing many thauks lor the hospitality. Upon turning a bend in the road they looked baok and saw Lord Howe and his staff, the ex peoted guests, turn into the farm house. Amerioan Historical Register. Hay Barges Bowed by Women. The hay barges on ths Swiss lakes, rowed by women standing, and the small sail-boats, with tall brown sails standing very high to oatoh fickle winds, are among the most piotnresqua of craft. New ygxk. BeoorUer, SsJjM I ' A M t (I I C A yf WHAT WOMEN WEAR FASHION'S I,ATEST DECREES IN FEMININE GARMENTS Comfortable and Handsome Crea tions tn Vests A Picturesque Ex ample of the Styles lu Headgear. 'TIT HE vest Is one of the features If of the season and will be more extensively worn then heretofore, if that were pos sible. Vests with a half low collar and lapels slightly ronnded out, with double points and pockets, which are, however, of . no use, are the approved models. Many ladies find (vests and waistcoats inconvenient in one re spect. Worn nnder a blazer or jack et without shirt waist or blouse, the contact of the sleeve of the outside garment is decidedly unpleasant. To remedy this sleeves of soft silk are sewed in the armholcs of the jacket. Thoy have simplo bands at the wrists, closed with a button, or the hand may slip through. The former is, how ever, more comfortable, as the sleeve stays in plnce and docs not draw up when the coat or jacket is put on. NOVEL THROATLETS. Waistcoats that button up to the throat are extremely Btylish and are much better liked by some ladies than those with rolling collar. They cer tainly save a great deal of bother, for BTLIT VEST. the tie and front mnst at all times be immaoulato, and besides they involve no small amount of time and labor to keep them in perfect order. In ad dition to this, the open front is niuoh less bocoming to many persons than the closed one. However, as they are equally approved, tho question of more or loss trouble rarely enters into the consideration of the woarer. While the plain olotb vests of mascu line cut are a complete bodioe, the more fanciful frilled articles of ton consist merely of a wide plastron bt-ld in place by a belt and a standing collar. With a well fitting coat the fact that they have no baok is a seoret known only to the woarer. These ornamental vests are easily made at home, and used interchangeably give variety to the same gown. The vest illustrated is of foulard and lace. A full front of the silk it shirred at the baok and waist and trimmed aeross the bust by three horizontal ruffles edged with lace. The top of the vest is gathered into a draped standing collar, also trimmed with lace, which fastens on the left side under a loose soft knot. VARIOUS KINDS Or SLEEVES. The enormous sleeve is still dear to the hearts of fashionable women. It is wide and droopy, and sags at the elbow. It is a modified, transmogrified leg-o'-mutton sleeve built on an ex tended plan, then drawn in and gath ered and plaited so that the superflu ous and aggressive fullness may not so much puff it out as cause II to bag in grocoful shape. There Is another model that has top shaped like a balloon. It Is short under the arm, where it is smooth and straight to the elbow. Then it curves out and is quite long fiom the top of the shonlder, but is pulled in at tho elbow all around and sewed to a very closoly-fittnd cuff of some contrasting material. Velvet tops and cloth cuff are preferred, the cloth matching tho costume. Or the cuffs may be of heavy embroidery with the tops of velvet. Thero are no more cross-matchod sleoves seen in the bast imported stocks. The fancy was too absurd and uncommon to rcceivo favor for any longth of time. Indeed, it was nevfr popular with othor than a few extromistf, and thoso never net tho fashions for the conservative many. onAT oowss. For young girls, light gray tailor gowns are in groat favor; and with gray ostrich-fualher boas or the full shoulder capes of chinchilla, nnd a touch of eolor at tho throat, thoy are, according to Domorost, vastly becom ing. Tho coats oi theso tailor gowns are of modium length and the skirts are oftcner cut-in one with the waist than set on at the hips', at last year. Somo are double lireimtetl, flaring away a few inohes below the throat to disclose a trig chemisette or a bit of the waistcoat. The gown skirts are only moderately full, from three and a half to fonr yards, bat flare well at the foot, fit trimly uround the waist, with a little fullness oftener laid in plaits than gathered at the book. THE COWTNO) SKIHT. A fashion that is ooming into favor but slowly, aud whioh is tolerated only on account of its nowness, is skirt of alternate ruffles of th ma terial and wide bands of velvet pnt on flat. This style gives a woman the effect of having been modeled after a wide-hooped cask, and is almost cer tain to spoil tho best figure ever owned by lovely woman. It makes a plain girl hideous aud gives a pretty one a sort of misfit appearance not at all to bo desired. AQAEf THIS PICTCBKSQUB IH MILLtXHnT. Here is more of the picturesque in millinery. It is of a light wood tone in felt, with a curved brim studded with jet crescents, the crown being of black velvet of the beefeater do- A ricTcnEsonz hat. scription, also studded with the jet, while a bird standa together with ostrich feather tips at one side. The historian Fronde has but a small opinion of men of letters. He is credited with saying that he believed the ablest men in his oountry were lawyers, engineers, men of science, dootors, statesmen, anything bat authors. Too Late. Jo j stood upon my threshold mild and fair. With lilies In ber hnlr. I bade her enter as she turned to go, And she said, No." Fortune once halted at my rulueil porch, And lit It with hur torch t I asked hnr fondly, "Have you come to stay?" Bhe answered "Nay." Famo robod In spotless wblto boforo mo came i I longed her kiss to claim i I told hor how nor presence I revered. Blis disappeared ! Loto came at lat how pure, how swont I With roses at hor feet I begged hnr all hor bounty to bestow Buo answered, ''No." Bluco then Joy, fortune, love ami fame Have como my soul to claim ; I sco thom smiling everywhere, lint do not enre. From Francis Baltus' ''Dreams After Bun set" IIIMOKOIS. A well rendered article Lard. A churity bawl "Say, boss, gimme a dime to get something to eat" Mrs. Hniffwcll Why, Bridget, you Imvo been eating onions I Bridgat Sure mum, you're a moiud reader. "But what earthly uso is it to dis cover tho North Polo? 1 can't see." "It will save further expeditions." "Did you give your daughter away when tdio was niurried?" "Threw her away, sir. Literally threw her away," Squiltlig How did Van Braam get such n reputation as a lady killer? MeSnilligon He sleighs the fair sex. The coal man who is disposed to be proud and haughty should think of the ice man in the summer aud bo humble. "I bog that Johnson in his lecture relates a fight between Clay and Ran dolph." "Yes, he callo it a scrap of history." Very often a man discovers that there is a good deal of the porcupine about tho people he thinks it his duty to sit upon. Ilighboo There goes a man who takes things as he finds thorn. Rob bins A philosopher? Uighbee No, a ragpicker. Billy How did you feel when Cholly softly kissed you? Belle Oh, down In the mouth. Aud the audience got up and loft. Miss Smilax My I what a bouncing baby that is I Baby's brother So it oughtcr bo, mum. Its just swallowed a ingyrubber ball. The shades of nlht were falling fast As thrnUKh the ley streets there paed A young mnn of the tnwu. The shades of nlxlit were far outelassed, They never fell one half so fat As he) when he fell down. Sum (coming in hurriedly) Say, Tom, can you chnuge 85? Tom Change nothing. I'm so hard up I can't change my shirt. There is nothing more truly insin- uatiug and deferential tbnn the waggle of a little dog's tail in tha presence of a big dog with a bone. This much is to be said in favor of tho tattooed man: While a great many men have designs upon others, his are all upon himself. Crusty Boarder (to waiter) What havo you got for breakfast? Hope it isn't oatmeal aud and mackerel Wnitor No sir ; only oatmeal. First Girl Cholly is a niao boy, only ho has so. much to say, Seoond Girl No, that's just where his weak point lies. He thinks he has." Item Gatherer Was the bride sup ported by her father? Friend Great Scott! No. The brido's mother has taken enro of tho family fur years. "Did you hear anything good at tho concert lust night? She Yes, indeed; I overheard ono lady giving another a capital recipe for angel food cake. "Doctor, have you a remedy for a troublosomo cough?" "When does it annoy you most?" "When the man has it comes home. Hu's iu the flat above. "I hear your music 1 recital last night was a great success. Lucky dog!" "H'nipUl Five persons in the house. Lucky dog? Yea, Regu lar bench show. " Minister No, Willio.you will never get ahead by tolling stories. Willie I won't? Why, I told a story about Johnnie Jones, wat's bigger'n me, an you bet he put a head on me. " "There is no doubt," said Mr, Do-' lan, "about there beiu' wan great ad vantage in bein' born in this country?" An' phwat's thot?" inquired Mrs. Dolan. "It saves yez the proioe of a steamship ticket over. Mr. Whoopla Suppoao, Dollie, I were to rob you of a kiss, what would you do? Miss Poppinjay How can I tell, Mr. Whoopla, what is goiug to happen be fore it occurs. Do you think that 1 am a olairvoyant? u
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers