-trot, nor yet so fast as the Derby record,
but most excellent for a mule. At any rate, it was a noble race, which
saved a settler's shot and a patriot's bacon, and averted a possible
catastrophe that might have cast a gloom on American history."

If this narrative is strictly accurate, Washington might have replied to
his refractory neighbor, on being warned away, in the language of the
Nevada desperado who was put on a mule by a committee of vigilants and
given ten minutes to get out of town; "Gentlemen," said the desperado,
"if this mule don't balk, I don't want but five."

Washington's Mother.

Mrs. Washington found little difficulty in bringing up her children.
They were disciplined to obedience, and a simple word was her command.
She was not given to any display of petulance or rage, but was steady,
well-balanced, and unvarying in her mood. That she was dignified, even
to stateliness, is shown us by the statement made by Lawrence
Washington, of Chotauk, a relative and playmate of George in boyhood,
who was often a guest at her house. He says--"I was often there with
George--his playmate, schoolmate, and young man's companion. Of the
mother I was ten times more afraid than I ever was of my own parents.
She awed me in the midst of her kindness, for she was indeed truly kind.
I have often been present with her sons--proper tall fellows, too--and
we were all as mute as mice; and even now, when time has whitened my
locks, and I am the grandparent of a second generation, I could not
behold that remarkable woman without feelings it is impossible to
describe. Whoever has seen that awe-inspiring air and manner, so
characteristic in the father of his country, will remember the matron as
she appeared, when the presiding genius of her well-ordered household,
commanding and being obeyed.

A Child of Mary.

An old general was once asked by a friend how it was that, after so many
years spent in the camp, he had come to be so frequent a communicant,
receiving several times a week. "My friend," answered the old soldier,
"the strangest part of it is, that my change of life was brought about
before I ever listened to the word of a priest, and before I had set my
foot in a church. After my campaigns, God bestowed on me a pious wife,
whose faith I respected, though I did not share it. Before I married her
she was a member of all the pious confraternities of her parish, and she
never failed to add to her signature, _Chil