The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-08-07


and paw the broken turf. And much did the
mental marvel, as, listning to every iootstep that
paced down the avenue, he saw the sun sink in
The west, and yet no master appear When was
he ever before known TO fail in an appointment.
The evening air breathed cool and damp, and
soothed the Impotence of the chatting coursers.
AT length orders came, that the horses should
be put up for the night. Wonder upon wonder!
when his business with the Governor was so ur-
gent!-The sun rode high i'm the heavens the
next day, ere Washington mounted for his jour
ney.-No explanation was given. But 1t was
rumored that among the guests was beautiful
and youthful widow, TO whose charms his heart
responded. This was further confirmed, by his
tarrying but brief space at Williamsburgh, and
retracing his rout with unusual CELEBRITY, and be-
coming frequent visitor at the house of the late
Col. Gusts, in that vicinity, where the following
year bis nuptual was celebrated 'And rare and
high says G. w. Gusts, Esq. the decendent
and hiographer of the lady, rare and high was
the revelry of that palmy period of VmgInia's
festal age: for many were gathered to that mar
riage, of the good, the great, the gifted and the
gay ;while Virginia, with joyful acclamalon,
hailed in the prosperous and happy bridegroom,
her hero
Henceforth, the life ofthe lady at Mt. Vernon,
is part of the history of her country. In that
halowed retreat, she was found entering into the
plans of Washington, sharing his confidence, q
making his household happy. There her only
daughter, Martha Gusts, died in the bloom OF
youth; and few Year, after when the troubles
o f her country drew her husband to the post Of
Commander in Chief of her armies, she accom-
panied him 20 Boston ~ witnessed his Seige ~ e.
vacuation. For eight years he returned no more
to enjoy his beloved residence on the banks of
the Potomac. During his absence she made
most strenuous effort to discharge the added
wei ght of care, and to endure with chargelesa
trust in Heaven, continual anxiety for the safety
ofone so neXpressably dear. At the close OF
each campaign she repaired in compliance with
his wishes, TO headquarters, where the ladies' of
the general officers joined her in forming such n
society as dffused cheerful influence over ev
Ell the gloom of the winter at Valley Forge and
Morristown, The opening of every campaign
was the signal OF the return of Lady Washing
ton (as she called in the army to her domes-
tic cares at Mt. Vernon. l heard said she,
the first and last cannon OF the revolutionary
war; The rejoicing which attended the sur
render of CORVALLIS, in the autumn of 1881
marked, for her, season of the deepest private
sorrow Her only remaining child, Col. John
Gusts, aid -de-camp of Washington, become
during his arduous duties at the seige of York
town, the victim of an epidemic fever and died
at the age of twenty seven. He was but q boy
of five years tina tinpo of hos second r,aarringe
and had drawn forth strongly the affections 81 re-
gard OF her illustrious husband, who shared her
affection for his loss, and by the tenderest sym
pathes strove to ELEVATE il.
devoted to the embellishments of their favorite
Mt. Vernon. The peace and returning prosper
ty of their country gave pure aud bright ingre-
dents to their cup OF happiness. Their mansion
was thronged with gnests of distinction, all of
whom remarked with admiration the energy OF
Mrs Washington, in the complicated duties OLA
Virginia housewife, and The elegant grace with
which she presided at her noble board.
The voice OF free nation comforting on Gen.
Washington the higest honor in its power to be-
stow, was not obeyed without n sacrifice of feel
ing 1t was in the the spring of 1885, thai with
his lady he babe adieu to his tranquil abode to
assume the responsibilities of the first Presiden-
cy. In forming his domestic establishments he
mingled the simplicity of a republic with that
degree of dignity, which he felt was necessary
TO assure the respect OF the older governments.
The furniture of his house, the livery of his ser
wants, the entertainment of his guests displayed
no elegence, while they rejected ostentaon. In
all OF these arrangements, Mrs Washington was
a second self. Her Friday evening levees, at
which he was always present, exhibited that Ell
quet which marks the intercourse of the dignif-
ed and high Bred Commencing at seven and
closing al ten, they lent no more sanction to
late hours than to levy. The first lady of the
nation still preserved the habits of early life. in-
dulglng IN no Incidence, she left her pillow at
dawn, and after breakfast, retired to her chamber
an hour for the study Of the scriptures aud de.
volon.-This practice, it is said, during the long
peiiou vi hat century, sue never oil'tteu'
The duties of the Sabbath were dear to her.
The President and herself atten led public wor
ship with regularity, and in the evening he read
to her, in her chamber the scripture and a ser
mon.
The spring Of 1897 opened for them with the
most pleasing anticipations, The cares OF high
Office were resigned, and they were about to re-
tire for the remainder OF their days, to the be-
loved shades of Mount Vernon. The new turf
sprlnglng into fresh greenness wherever they
trod, the verna blossoms opening to receive
them, the warbled welcome of the birds were
never more dear, as wearied with the tolls OF
public life, their rural retreat, halowed by the
recoliections of earlier years, and by the con,
seriousness of virtue.
But in two years Washington no more.
The shock of his death, after an illness of only
twenty four hours, fell like thunderholt upon
the bereaved widow. The pety which had so
long been her strength, continued its support, but
her heart dropped; and though her cheerfulness