MARTHA WASHINGTON IN CAMP

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 362, 16 April 1903, Page 8

MARTHA WASHINGTON IN CAMP

at VaU«r Po**e the Katt rtnstrlsaa *o» Her Bnbu4'i Bass Toot*4 Basses.

Martha Washington was then 45 years of age, and those who went to the camp and expected to find her arrayed in the gowns which they had supposed would be worn by the general s wife •ere disappointed, writes William Per rine, in the Ladies' Home JourntL "Whilst our husbands and brothers are examples of patriotism," she would say to her countrywomen, "we must be patterns of industry." She did not hesitate to wear a brown dress and a speckled apron when receiving- fastidious and elegant visitors at Morristown. It was said afterward that she acquired her inveterate habit of knitting in her zeal st Valley Forge to relieve the barefooted men around her. On every fair day she might be seen walking through the rude streets of the town of huts with a bosket in her hand. Entering the hut of a sergeant, she found him dying on a pallet of straw, his wife beside him in ths anguish of final separation. She ministered to his comfort with food prepared by her own bands. Then kneeling she earnestly praysd with her 'sweet and solemn voice' for ths stricken couple. All day long she was busy wi*J* these errands of grace, or in the kitchen at the stone house, or in urging other women to lend a helping hand. And whan shs passed slong the lines of the troops she would sometimes hear the fervent ey of 'God bless Lady Washington!" or 'Long live Lady Washington!' Well, indeed, might the men feel that they eould fight to their very last drop of blood with a commander whose wife, who was formerly the belle and leader of h«r set among the dames sad d*mMtla of Virginia, was not nahamsd to be stan darning hla sod har own stockings!