Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/19

 In the French wars of 1754 it was Wash-ing-ton who led at Great Mead-ows, and whose brave acts made Brad- dock's loss far less than it might have been.

Wash-ing-ton knew what was strong and what was weak in men. He knew how to guide them and he knew how to save them. He could judge with great good sense. He had all the gifts which, in years to come, made the world call him, the "Great Com-mand-er."

In Jan-u-a-ry, 1759, Wash-ing-ton found a good wife in Mrs. Mar-tha Cus-tis, a young wid-ow, and went first to live at New Kent, and then to Mount Ver-non, where he had care of his farm. While here he kept watch of all that went on in the land for which he had so much love.

MARTHA WASHINGTON.

Eng-land's rule grew more and more hard to bear. The laws made by the King were not just. Each thing had a tax put on it which it was hard to pay. The King did not ask his folks in A-mer-i-ca how he could help them. His chief thought was how he could treat them as slaves and grind them down to do his will.

The "Stamp Act" was a thing which made folks mad.