THE WONDERFUL STORY OF WASHINGTON [Illustration] “The ingenuous youth of America will hold up to themselves the bright model of Washington’s example, and study to be what they behold; they will contemplate his character, till all his virtues spread out and display themselves to their delighted vision; as the earliest astronomers, the shepherds on the plains of Babylon, gazed at the stars till they saw them form into clusters and constellations, overpowering at length the eyes of the beholders with the united blaze of a thousand lights.”--WEBSTER. _Inspiration Series of Patriotic Americans_ THE WONDERFUL STORY OF WASHINGTON AND THE MEANING OF HIS LIFE FOR THE YOUTH AND PATRIOTISM OF AMERICA BY C. M. STEVENS Author of “_The Wonderful Story of Lincoln_” NEW YORK CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY Copyright, 1917, by CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY CONTENTS CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY CONSIDERATIONS American Patriotism and the Meaning of America. Washington’s Early Surroundings. II. THE BOY WITH A WILL AND A WAY Early Circumstances of the First American Hero. A Community Proud of Its Family Honor. The Self-Pity and Sentimentalism of Youth. III. BEGINNINGS OF EXPERIENCE IN BORDER WARFARE Getting Used to Roughing It. Land Speculation as the Beginning Leading to American Self-Government. The Struggle for the Indian’s Hunting Grounds. IV. THE RIVALRY AND DIPLOMACY OF THE FRONTIER The First Great Problems of the Indians. Alarm for the Future. Indifference to Great Interests. V. THE CONSEQUENCE OF ARROGANCE AND IGNORANCE Annoyances and Antagonisms. Dishonors and Disasters. Washington Entering the School of War. VI. THE STRUGGLE FOR FORT DUQUESNE The Separation Beginning Between the Colonies and England. Lessons Gathered from Defeat. Some Personal Interests at Home. VII. THE FATE OF THE OHIO VALLEY Frontier Fears and Panics. Political Intrigue and Official Confusion. “A Matter of Great Admiration.” VIII. THE BEGINNING SIGNS OF A GREAT REVOLUTION Military Victory and a Happy Marriage. Life Fulfilled as a Virginia Country Gentleman. The Momentous Struggle Between Might and Right. IX. SOWING THE WIND AND REAPING THE WHIRLWIND Mount Vernon at First in a Zone of Calm. Giving the Appearance and Keeping the Substance. “Soft Words Butter No Parsnips.” X. ANTAGONISMS AND HOSTILITIES Blazing the Way to War. The Double-Quick March to Revolution. Violence and Flattery as Methods of Mastery.