SOLDIER AND PATRIOT. THE STORY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. PART I. CHAPTER I. MORE than a hundred years ago, in the State of Virginia, there was a small house standing on high ground above the river Potomac. The house was not a remarkable one: it had a high pointed roof, and low projecting eaves; four large rooms on the ground floor, attics above, and a chimney at each end. It was known by the name of Bridges Creek ; for a small creek, just below it, joined the broad waters of the Potomac. This was the home of Augustine Washington, and it was here that George Washington was born, on February 22nd, 1732; but nothing now remains of his birthplace except a stray fig tree and one or two bright flowers, which mark the place where a garden has been. About seventy years before, the great-grandfather of George Washington had come over from England with his brother, to seek a refuge in Virginia after the death of Charles I. Both the brothers were staunch Royalists, and did not care to remain under Cromwell's rule. The family was an old and well-known one in England; the name had formerly been De Wessyngton, and they had owned extensive lands. But the king's cause once lost, the brothers despaired of any more happiness in their native country, and sought for it across the seas, in the free, but at that time most loyal, State of Virginia, in America. They bought property in the county called Westmoreland, between the Potomac and Rappahanock rivers, and farmed it. John, the elder brother, was known as Colonel Washington, and the parish in which he lived was named after him. His grandson, Augustine, was born in 1694, and inherited the estate. Augustine was twice married. By his first marriage he had four children, but only two of them lived to grow up. The names of these two were Lawrence and Augustine, and their mother died while they were still little boys. Their father married again, and by his second marriage had six children, the eldest of whom was our hero, George. Soon after George was born, his father left Bridges Creek, and took his family to live near the Rappahanock river. The new home was very like the old one-a small primitive farmhouse-and it was here that Washington's boyhood was spent. He led a free, open-air life, playing in the meadows and beside the river, and grew strong and muscular. A story is told of his performing the wonderful feat of throwing a stone across the river Rappahanock. His brother Lawrence, being the eldest of the family, went home to England to be educated (as was the custom of Virginian boys, when their parents could afford it); but George went to Hobby the sexton's school, not far from his father's house. He did not learn much from Hobby— |