Washington's Modesty
:
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY
:
Good Stories For Great Holidays
BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED)
Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen hurried home, resigned
his commission, and was married. The sunshine and glitter of the
wedding day must have appeared to Washington deeply appropriate, for
he certainly seemed to have all that heart of man could desire. Just
twenty-seven, in the first flush of young manhood, keen of sense and yet
wise in experience, life must h
ve looked very fair and smiling. He had
left the army with a well-earned fame, and had come home to take the
wife of his choice, and enjoy the good will and respect of all men.
While away on his last campaign he had been elected a member of
the House of Burgesses, and when he took his seat, on removing to
Williamsburg, three months after his marriage, Mr. Robinson, the
Speaker, thanked him publicly in eloquent words for his services to the
country.
Washington rose to reply, but he was so utterly unable to talk about
himself that he stood before the House stammering and blushing until the
Speaker said:--
"Sit down, Mr. Washington, your modesty equals your valor, and that
surpasses the power of any language I possess."