Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-06-01

N prepared her Tor deeper loss ~ her beloved
and ev,imaole husband. 10 the trying situa
ton ofa young, beautiful, and wealthy wild
ow, and mother, she was still able To conduct
herself with unvarying discretion. and faith
fully tn discharge every important duty.
II was in the spring Of 1858 that two gen
tlemen, attended by q servant, were riding
through the luxurant scenery with which
the county Of New Kent,in Virginia abounds
The most striking figure of'he group wus a
tall, graceful man, and apparently twenty
five or twenly-siX years OF age. lie would
have been a model for a sfatuary when
Rome was in her best days. His companion
was an elderly man, in plain garb, who, by
The familiarity with which he pointed ont
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 OH the rein OF
his companion.
"Nay, Colonel Washington, let il never
be said that you passed the house OF your
fathers friend without dismounting. ] must
insist on the honor Of delaying you as my
guest"
Thanks to you my dear Sir, but ride in
haste, tho bearer of dispatches to our Gov.
ernor in Williamsburg, which may not brook
delay"
.Is this the noble sieed which was given
you by the dying Braddock on the fatal field
Of Monongahela aud this the same servant
he bequeathed you at the same time 2"
| Washington answered in the affirmative.
"Thcn, my dear Colonel. thus mounted
and attended, you may well dine with me,
aud by borrowing some Of this fine moon
light. reach Williamsburg ere his Excellency
shall have shaken off his morning sumbers."
ADO understand that may be excused
Immediately after dinner 2"
Certainly"
"Then, Sir. accept your hospiiali.y."-
And gracefully throwing himself from the
charger he resigned the reign to his Eng
lish servant, giving AT the same time strict
orders as to the time when he must be ready
with his horses to pursue their journey.
81 am rojoiccd, Colonel Washington" said
the hospitable old gentleman. "fortunatcly
To have met you on my morning ride and
the more so as have some guests who may
make the rcpast pass PLEASANTLY, and will M,
fail to appreciate our young aud valiant SOL
der" '
Washington bowed his thanks and was
introduced to the company. Virginia's far
famed hospitality was well set forth in that
spacious 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 l
habits of his master. AT The appointed mo.
mcni he stood with horses caparlsoncd ut The |
gate and much did he marvel, as listening
TO every foetsiep that paced down the ave-
nue., he saw the sun sink in the west, and
yet 10 master appeared. At length orders
came that The horse should be pu, up for the
night. Wonder upon wonder when his
bnslpess with the Governor was so urgent !
The sun was high M the heavens tho next
day ere Washington mounted for his jour.
ncy. No explanation was given, but it was
that among the guests was bcuuti-
fnl and youthful widow, to whose charms his
heart had responded. This was farther con-
firncd by his tarrying but q brief spnce at
rciraclng his route with unu.
'ual cclcri'y, and becoming frequent visitor
II the house OF .hi late Colonel Custr, in the
vicinity, where the following year his nup
ials were celebrated.
lIcnceiorih the life OF the lady Of Mount
Vernon is part of the history of her Country.
u that hallowed retreat, she was found en-
ering into the plans OF Washington, sharing
lis confidence, and making his household
lappy. There her only daughter. Martha
CusiIs, died in the bloom of youth a few
iears after, when The troubles Of the country II
rev her husband TO the post of commander
n. chief OF her armies, she accompanied him
% Boston, and Witnessed ia siege and evacu.
tion. For eight years he returned no more
o enjoy his beloved residence on The banks
# the Potomac. During his absence, she
made the most strenuous Efforts to discharge
he added weight q. care. and To endure,
With chanSecss trust in Heaven, continued
nxIc'y for one so ineXpresslby dear. AT
he close OF each campaign, she repaired, in
ompllnnce with his wishes, to head quarters,
where The ladies' of the general officers join.
d her ~ forming such society rs dIffuscd n
heerng influence over even the gloom Of
he winter Of Valley Forge and Morris,own.
he opening of every campaign was the sig.
al ofthe return Of Lady Washington las she
'as called in the arlny) to her domestic cares
I Noun, Vernon. 81 heard" said she. "the
rst and last cannon of The Revolutionary
var" The rcjoclngs which attended The
urrcndcr Of Cornwallis, in the autumn of I
1Sl, marked tor her a season Of the deepest
oriow. liz
ller only remaining child. Col. John Gus &
IS, the aid de camp of Washington, became,
uring his arduous duties at the ssiege Of Z
'orkiown, the victim of an cpide mic fever, {
nd died at the age of tweniy.seven. He r
'as bu, boy of five at the time of her sec.
nd marriage, and had drawn forth strongly IIt
ne affections and regard of her iIlusirlous $
usbanG who shared her afillciion for his loss r
I'D by the tendercst sympathy s,rove 10 al t
'vlate IT. liza
After the close of the war, n few years
ere devoted TO The enjoyment and embel-
shment Of their favorile Mount Vernon-I
he peace and returning prosperity of their
Dun,ry gave pure and bright ingredients to
,elr cup of happiness. Their mansion was
lrongcd with guests Of distinction, all OF
HON remarked with admiration the energy
Mrs. Washington in the complicated duties )
a Virginia house wife, and the elegance
nd grace with which she presided at her ?
lble board. b
The voice OF free nation, comforting on h
eneral Washington the highest office in its Il
aver TO bestow, was not obcyed without a
crifcc Of feeling. II was in the Spring Of b
so, that, with his lady, he babe adieu to his
nnquil abode, to assume the responsibility a
the frs. Presidency, In forming his do b
estic establishment. he mingled The sim II
icrty OF republic with that dignity which n
felt was necessary to secure the respect 81
4 4 a IL