Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-06-02
Jf!isrRIlAnrOus.
Passages from the Life of
Wishington.

: On Bios Apply b, J. + Hesdl.s publishing in Gfs.
baa'. Magazine
HIS CoURrsHIP. Ii was about
'his time the spring ol 1853, while
on his way to Williamsburg that
Washington was first made acquain-
ted with the young widow who was
destined to become his wife. The
Colonel, in military uudress, noun
ted on splendid charger, and atien-
ded by single body servant, both
the gift of the dying Braddock, as
he fled from the fatal field of Mo
nongahela, had just crossed Will
liam's Ferry, over the Pamunkey,
branch of York river, when he
was met by Mr. Chamberlayne, a
+ Virginia gentleman of the old school.
who invited him To hi> house Wash
ington excused himself, on the
ground of urgent business with the
Governor. But the hospitable plan
ter would take no denial. aud at last
succeeded IN turning the scale by
promising To introduce hun to
/ young aud beautiful widow. The
Colonel finally consented to stop
and dine-nothing more. A short
delay could be made up by hard
riding and pressing further into the
night. In diSmountlng he gave his
horse into the charge of his servant
Bishop, with explicit distractions to
have HIM at the door at a certain
hour giving his arm to his guest,
the hospllable planter entered the
house and introduced HIM To his
family. The young Virginia Col
onel immediately drew every eye
upon him, for a fine, commanding
appearance heightened, rather than
cssened. the romance that gathered
around his chivalTouS and adventur-
b ous life The young widow was
handsome, fascinating, aud posses
sed of a large fortune and was,
wlhal, the widow of a Colonel -
Colonel Washington was also rich,
Of high family connections, aud, a.
bove ALL possessed that which ever
attracts a woman, yalIeni, heroic
heart, that would beat as calmly a.
d mid whislli bullets aud death and
carnage as in its peaceful SAUNDERS
The lady was unly three months
younger than he. and from the FIST
could not disguise her admiration Of
the youthful hero. Ca the other hand
, her society was so agreeable To
Washington that Tor The first Time IN
! his life he forgot his own appoint
meur. His servant Bishop punctu-
al To his orders. had The two horses
saddIed aud bridIed, standing at the
gate at the time appointed Con-
trary to all military rules, and all the
. former experience, his master did
not make his appearance. Llnger-
ing under the sweet influence of the
, beautiful young widow, the time
+, slipped unconsciously away. At
length, as the sun stopped behind
the western Wilderness, the planter
stepped forward and declared that
il was contrary TO the rules of ms
), estate To- allow guest to leave the
! house after shutdown. Washington
y laughingly acknowledged that he
A felt bound To submit to such whole
some regulations, aud was soon for
gelful of everything but the fascin-
atlng woman beside him. Other
dreams than those of military glory
visited his pillow that night, and 9th
er hopes impelled him forward, as
the next morning he continued hi,
Journey TO Williamsburg.
On his return he stopped again al
the White House" of his friend
and surrendered at discretion TO the
blooming widow.
HIS MARRIAGE. Having now re-
turned TO private life, he consum
mated his engagement with Mrs
Curtis, and wedding was giver
January 9th. 1859, on a scale com
mensurate with the wealth anC
standing of The parties, in keepins
with the good old customs of the
time. From far and near came In,
laced coats and powdered hair ant
long cues, TIL the hospitable man
sion overlooked with the wealth anC
beauty and gayety of the colony
And noble couple they were-th'
young Colonel SIX feet three niche
IN height, towering above all around
and the beautiful bride, radiant will
happiness The raflers of that hug
mansion rang that night with mirtl
and gayety. The BRIDE brought a
dowry thirty thousand pounds srer
ling, besides one third of large land
ed estates. She had two children
a son, six years old, and daughter
four. TO the former belonged on
third of the estates left by his falh
er, while The latter had the remain
ing third, together with ten thousan