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."



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