that the Colonel was merely on the scent of some vast, undefined landed

speculation--although he was customarily able to say that he was nearer

to the all-necessary ingredient than ever, and could almost name the hour

when success would dawn. And then Washington's heart world sink again

and a sigh would tell when it touched bottom.

About this time a letter came, saying that Judge Hawkins had been ailing

for a fortnight, and was now considered to be seriously ill. It was

thought best that Washington should come home. The news filled him with

grief, for he loved and honored his father; the Boswells were touched by

the youth's sorrow, and even the General unbent and said encouraging

things to him.--There was balm in this; but when Louise bade him

good-bye, and shook his hand and said, "Don't be cast down--it will all

come out right--I know it will all come out right," it seemed a blessed

thing to be in misfortune, and the tears that welled up to his eyes were

the messengers of an adoring and a grateful heart; and when the girl saw

them and answering tears came into her own eyes, Washington could hardly

contain the excess of happiness that poured into the cavities of his

breast that were so lately stored to the roof with grief.

All the way home he nursed his woe and exalted it. He pictured himself

as she must be picturing him: a noble, struggling young spirit persecuted

by misfortune, but bravely and patiently waiting in the shadow of a dread

calamity and preparing to meet the blow as became one who was all too

used to hard fortune and the pitiless buffetings of fate. These thoughts

made him weep, and weep more broken-heartedly than ever; and he wished

The Gilded Age