The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-06
II. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.

variegated the grounds. Rural occupation,
and the delight Of each others society, pre-.
pared for them what they deemed a para
disc. In visits TO their favored dwelling,
the Chancellor learned to appreciate the
treasures Of his new daughter. Her excel
lence in the responsible sphere to which she
was introduced. won his regard; and with the
Ingenlousness of an honorable mind when
convinced of an error, he sought every op.
portunity of distinguishing her merit,which
he had once been reluctant to admit. When
he saw the grace and courtliness with which
she maintained a general hospitality the
judgement far beyond her years, displayed
in the management of her servants the
energy, early rising, the cheerful alacrity
with which she regulated and beautified the
internal mechanism of her family; the dis
interestedness with which she forgot herself,
and sought the good Of others but, above
all, her untiring devotion to her husband,
and the little ones sprung up around her I;
he gloried in the sentiment of his son, which
indeed he had always believed, though he
was once in danger of swerving from it,
that strong personal affection is essential to
the happiness of matrimonial happiness.
But the scene of felicity was not long to
last. The death of her two oldest children
prepared her for a deeper loss in her below
ed and estimable husband. In the trying
situation of a young, beautiful. and wealthy
widow and mother, she was still able 10 con-
duct herself with unvarying discretion, and
faithfully discharge every important duty.
1t was in the spring of 1858 that two gen.
tlemen, attended by a servant, were seen
riding through the luxurant scenery with
which the county of New Kent, in Virginia
abounds. The most striking figure of the
group was tall, graceful man, and appa-
rently twenty>six years of age. He would
have been model for statuary when
Rome was in her best days. Ills compan>
ion was an elderly man, in plain garb,
who, by the familiarity with which he poin.
ted out surrounding objects, would seem to
be taking his daily rounds upon his own
estate. As they approached the avenue to
an antique mansion, he placed his hand on
the rein of his companion.
NAY, Colonel Washington. let it never
be said that you ever passed the house of
your fathers friend without dismounting.--
| must have the honor of delaying you as
my guest
Thanks to you my dear sir, but ride in
haste, the bearer of dispatches to our Gov
ernor in Wiliamsburg,w may not brook
DELAY
SIS this The noble steed which was given
you by the diving Braddock on the fatal
field of Monongahela and this the same
servant he bequeathed you at the same
timer
Washington answered in the affirmative.
Then my dear Colonel, thus mounted
and attended, you may well dine with me,
and by borrowing some of this fine moon
light, reach Williamsburg ere his Excellen-
cy shall have shaken off his morning SUM
bers.'
DO understand that may be excused
Immediately after dinner?
Certainly
Then, Sir, accept your kind hospitali-
ty.' And gracefully throwing himself from
the charger, he resigned the rein to his En-
gish servant, giving at the same time strict
orders as 10 the time when he must be ready
with the horses to pursue their journey.
Il am rejoiced. Colonel Washington
said the hospitable old gentleman, fortu-
nately to have met you on my morning
ride and the more so as have some guests
who may make the repast pass pleasantly,
and will not fail TO appreciate our young
and valiant SOLDIER
Washington bowed his thanks. and was
introduced to the company. Virginia's
far famed hospitality was well set forth in
that baronial hall. Precise in his house.
hold regulations, the social feast was closed
at the time the host had predicted. The
servant was also punctual-he knew the
habits of his master. At the appointed mo-
ment he stood with horses caparisoned at
the gate; and much did he marvel, as lis
tening to every footstep that paced down the
avenue, he saw the sun sink IN the west,
and vet no master appear. At length Or
ders came that the horse should be put up
for the night. Wonder upon wonder when
his business with the Governor was so ur-
GENT The sun was high in the heavens
the next day ere Washington mounted for
his Journey. No explanation was given,
but it was rumored that among the guests
was beautiful and youthful widow, to
whose charms his heart had responded
This was further confirmed by his tarrylng
but brief space at Williamsburg. retracing
his rout with unusual celebrity, and becom>
ing frequent visitor at the house of the
late Colonel Gusts, in the vicinity where
the following year, his nuptials were cele-
brated.
Henceforth the life of the lady of Mt.
Vernon is part of the history of her coun-
try. In that hallowed retreat. she was found
entering into the plans of Washington, shar-
ing his confidence. and making his house.
hold happy. There her only daughter Mar
tina Gusts, died in the bloom Of youth; a
few years after. when the troubles of the
country drew her husband to the post OF
commander-n-chief of her armies, she ac-
companied him to Boston. and wltessed Its
} seige and evacuation. For eight years he
: returned no more to enjoy his beloved resi-
dence on the banks ofthe Potomac. During