Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-09


and the delight of each others society, pre-
pared for them what they deemed para
disc. In visits to their favored dwelling, the
Chancellor learned to appreciate the treas
ures of his new daughter. Her excellence
in the responsible sphere to which she was
introduced won his regard; and with the in
genuousness of an honorable mind when con-
vnced of an error, he sought every oppor-
tunity Of distinguishing her merit, which he
had once been reluctant TO admit. When
he saw the grace and courtlncss with which
she maintained general hospitality; the
judgement far beyo her years, displayed
in the management of her servants the en-
ergy, early rising, the cheerful alacrity with
which she regulated and beautifcd the inter-
nal mechanism of her family; the dsinteres
tedness with which she forgot herself, and
sought the good OF others; but, above all,
her untlring devotion to her husband, and
the little ones sprung up around her; he
glored in the sentiment of his son, which,
indeed, he had always believed, though he
was once in danger of swervng from ii, that
strong personal affection is essential to the
bias of matrimonial happiness.
But the scenes Of felicity was not long to
las,.-- The death of her two Oldest children
prepared her for deeper loss in her beloved
and es,imable husband. In the trying situation
of young, beautiful, and wealthy widow, and
mother, she was still able to conduct herself
with unvarying discretion, and faithfully to dis
charge every important duty.
1t was in the spring of 1853 that two gentle.
. men, attended by servant, were seen riding
through the luxurant scenery with which the
, county OF New Lent, in Virginia abounds. The
most striking figure of the group was tail,
graceful man, and apparently twenty-five years
of age.--.He would have been a model for a
statuary when Rome was in her best days. His
1 companion was an elderly man, in plain garb,
, who, by the familiarity with which he pointed
out surrounding objects. would seem to be la
king his daily rounds upon his own estate. As
they approached the avenue to an antique man.
sons, he placed his hand on the rein Of his
: companion
( NAY, Colonel Washington let it never be
t said that you passed the house of your fathers
; friend without dsmounting. | must insist on
g the honor OF delaying you as my guest
n Thanks to you my dear Sir, but ride in
= haste, the bearer of dispatches to our Governor
in Williamsburg, which may not brook delay.
z : Is this the noble steed which was given you
o by the dying Braddock on the fatal field of Mo-
It nongahela! and this the same servant he be-
: qucathed you at the same time!'
+ Washington answered in the affirmative.
y 'Then, my dear Colonel thus mounted and
;. attended, you may we'll dine with me, and by
; borrowing sumo of this fine moonlight, reacl
Wiliamsburgh ere his ExceIency shall have
shaken of his morning slumbers.'
DO understand tina, | may be excused i'm
media,ely after dinners!
Certainly
Then Sir ! except your hospitality And
II gracefully throwing himself from the charger
i he resigned the reign to his English servant
!, giving at the same time strict orders as to the
!, time when he must be ready with the horses tc
, pursue their journey.
y Il am rcjolced, Colonel Washington sale
= the hospitable old gentleman, fortunately tc
U have met you on my morning ride and the
I. more so as have some guests who may make
G the request pass pleasantly and will not fail t.
n appreciate our young and valiant soldier
I. Washington bowed his thanks, and was in
q troduced to the company. Virginias far-famet
! hospitality was well set forth in that spacious
; baronal hall. Precise in his household regula
tons, the social feast was closed at the time The
J. host had predicted. The servant was alone
e punctual-he knew the habits OF his master
= At the appointed moment he stood with horses
v caparisoned at the gate and much did he mar
=. vel as listening to every footstep that pacct
~
:, west, and yet no master appear. At length or
- ders came that the horse should be put up TO
II the night.-Wonder upon wonder when hi
IS business with the Governor was urgent
n 1 he sun was high in the heavens the next da!
d ere Washington mounted for his journey. n
i explanation was given, but it was rumored tina
~ among the guests was beautiful and youthful
:. widow, to whose charms his heart had respond
= ed. This was further confirmed by his tarry
&c ing but brief space at Williamsburg, retrac
ing his route with unusual CELEBRITY, and becom
'e ing frequent visitor at the house of the lat
l. Colonel Gusts, in the vicinity, where the fol
l. lowing year, his nuptials were celebrated.
IIenceforth the life of the lady of Mount Yer
rs non is a part of the history of her country. j
al that halowed retreat, she was found entern!
into the plans of Washington, sharing his conf
- dence, and making his household happy. Their
!" her only daughter, Martha Gusts, died in TIT
bloom Of youth; a few years after, when tn
ID troubles of the country drew her husband to thu
s. post OF commander. n-chef of iher armes, sh
N accompanied him to Boston, and witnessed it
lie siege and evacuation. For eight years he re
ID turned no more TO enjoy his beloved residence
~ on the banks of the Potomac During his alb
> sence, she made the most strenuous efforts I
= discharge the added weight of cares, and to en-
he dure, with changeless trust in Heaven, contlnu
Of ed anxiety for one so inexpresaibly dear. A
Dr. the close OF each campaign, she repaired, in com
III pliance with his wishes, to head quarters, wher
the ladies of the general officers joined her il
u forming such society as dlffused cheering in
- tluence over even the gloom of the winter O
T. Valley Forge and Morrstown. The openin!
III of every campaign was the signal of the return
IN of Lady Washington Gas she was called in TIT
- army to her domestic cares at Mount Vernon
Il heard said she the first and last cannon o
r the Revolutionary war; The rejoicings whcl
, attended the surrender Of CORVALLIS, in the AL
: tumn of 1881, marked for her season of tn,
deepest sorrow.
70 Her only remaining child Col. John Gusts
i the aid. de.camp of Washington, became, durin!
his arduous duties at the siege OF Yorktown, thu
victim of an epidemic fever, and died at the ag
n. of twenty.seven. He was but a by of five a
e. the time of her second marriage, and had draw
70 forth strongly the affections and regard Of her il
~ lustrous husband, who shared her affections 70
; his loss, and by the tenderest sympathy strov,
:. to alleviate it.
OF After the close of the war, few years wer
| H.. Al 1l..l.x