One dark, cold wintry night George Washington was in retreat with a group of his soldiers from one of his early defeats on the battlefield.



With a weary little group of his men he entered a small town and went up to the first house and knocked on the door.

The lady of the house opened the door and Washington said, "Ma'am, I'm General Washington and I am trying to find a place for my men to sleep tonight. Do you have any extra beds in your house?"

The woman answered, "Oh, I have eleven children. I don't think so. But I do have one bed, if that will help you."

Washington turned around and called out, "Sergeant Cox, front and center."

The sergeant went on into the house and the group moved on to the next house, which unbeknown to Washington, was a "house of ill-repute."

The Madame came to the door and George told his sad story and asked if she had any beds for his men.

She said, "Do we have beds? How many men do you have?"

Washington looked around and said, "Fourteen without Cox." The Madame said, "You gotta be kiddin?"