The Boy George Washington

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Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: The Boy George Washington
Year: 1937
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Fulltext: 12 THE YOUNG CITIZEN Fe/Jr11ary, J.9.17 The Boy George Washington By RESTITUTO CARPIO ONE summer day in 1746 there anchored on the Potomac River an English man-of-war just below where the city of Washington now stands. The English officers usually called at the home of Major Lawrence George Washington, adjutant-general of Virginia. His acquaintance with English naval officers was wide. As these officers were gathered at the table, George Washington listened intensely to their heroic tales of naval fights. These stories inspired him a great desire to join the English navy. As George Washington's father was already dead, his brother Lawrence acted in his father's place. When the boy's plan was made known to Mary Washington, his mother, she rebelled against it, but later she was induced to give her consent. However, on the day of parting, when George Washington's enlistment paper was given to her for signature, she flatly refused to sign it, crying"! ean't bear the thought of my boy's going to sea. There will be a time when I need him at home." So young George had to give up his plan to join the English navy. His luggage which had been taken on board the English man-of-war was returned to Mount Vernon. And the future career of this fourteen-year-old boy had begun. In commemoration of this event; Mary Washington took occasion to present George Washington with a penknife having a beautiful handle. She. said, "George, I have a present to give you. I hope that whenever you use it, it will remind you of your mother. This penknife was given by a friend from England. I want you especially to keep it." Years later this knife served a glorious purpose. W h e n George Washington was asked to take command of the Revolutionary Army, he did not know what to do. While he was debating it in his mind, he happened to stick his hand into his pocket. There he felt the knife and pulled it out. He at once remembered what his mother had told him. Then he made up his mind to accept the trust his country.men wished to put into his hands. He told them, however, that as commanderin-chief of the Revolutionary Army he should not receive any salary except t.-aveling expenses actually incurred. The knife taught him a beautiful lesson: "Never Shirk a Duty." QUESTIONS 1. Do you know of boys or girls who obeyed their parents and who later became great or successful? Relate their story. (Please f11ni to vage .17) February, 1937 NONOY'S ADVENTURES (Continued from '{Jage 3) room. Again he bawled with renewed vigor. The man and woman were still there. "You have to stop him," said the woman. "or people will begin to notice." The man looked at Nonoy with an angry frown on his ugly face as if he wanted to nail down Nonoy' s mouth. He did not know what to do. The boy refused everything that was given him. Then in the little silence that followed, they heard a loud, singing voice outside," Puto! Puto!" At that familiar cry. Nonoy visibly ~rightened. The man saw his happy look. He assumed again his friendliness for peace and beckoned Nonoy, "Come, we will buy puto. Don't cry anymore." They went outside and called the vendor. When the latter stopped in front of them, a mutual look of recognition leaped from Nonoy to the man, from the man to Nonoy. The vendor, displaying his wares, was utterly confused -and did not know what to think. An hour ago he had passed by this boy's house. He remembered the confusion there. the shouting of the old man, and the crie; of the women and children. Now this boy Nonoy was here with this man whose face was ugly as his heart perhaps was. He heard the man order, "Give me fifteen centavos worth of cuchinta and puta." Slowly the vendor counted, thinking, wondering. He wrapped up the puto, gave it to Nonoy. He clutched it tightly but when the THE YOUNG CITIZEN THE GOLDEN IMAGE (Crmtinued f1·om page 17) beneath it. They pulled themselves onto the limb and sat there a few minutes to regain their breath. Pablo crossed himself and murmured the names of the Holy Family. "Well," he said, in a man~er-of-fact way, "our gold is gone. But isn't it good to be alive!'"Yes," said Ulan. "I never could figure out just why you wanted gold so badly. Surely some good diwata has just befriended 'us!" Then they made their Way along the limb and down to the man took him by- the hand to lead him inside, the boy would not go. He sho~k his head stubbornly and clung to the vendor. The ugly-faced man pulled Nonoy and this decided the mind of the vendor. With all his might, he pushed the man so that he fell on th.e sidewalk. Then the vendor picked up Nonoy, leaving his wares behind and ran and ran crying, "Police! Police!" People came running out of their houses. A shrill cry split the air; a policeman, then two immediately appeared. The vendor between gasps of breath told his story. ''You know where his home is?" asked a policeman as he stopped a taxi. The vendor nodded. The three of them got inside. Nonoy sank back on the cushions contentedly and opened his precious package of puto and selected the biggest piece of all for his first bite. That run had made him a very hungry boy. THE BOY GEORGE (Continued from page 12) 37 2. What other stories of George Washington showed that he could be trusted? Tell them to the class. 3. What three 'scenes in this story can you present in a tableau? 4. George Washington did not wish to receive salary as commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Army. Suggest an appropriate word to describe this character trait. ground. "We had better try to get home now." s~id Pablo. "We can go back afterwards and get some more gold." Ulan agreed, and they made their way slowly and laboriously to the top of a crag that rose at one side of the waterfall to see if they could get any idea as to where they were. "There, there," cried Pablo as they reached the top, "The o::ean !" Sure enough, before them. and not far away, was an expanse of smooth, blue water with the mountains of another island riSing on the far side. Pablo felt much nearer home at sight of it, and was very happy. They scrambled down toward the bottom of the falls. Not a trace of the raft or its precious cargo was to be seen. The cloud of spray and mist concealed the base of the falls, and some of it fell like rain on the boys. Near the falls they found a little path and were able to walk along it quite rapi?ly. Soon they should reach the coast and a good road. (To be continued)