The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-10-15
IeHaraon.a Wedding.

4 line 1CIlOW1uR SCCAO ~ HUH eAfO A9oA
DAYS Of Jefferson, in the New York Cen
tuTy:-
Belinda (Jeferson's first love) had
been married many years, and her old adj
mirer was approaching thirty, when he met
with q young lady OF twenty-five, who
produced strong impression upon him.
| She was little above the medium height,
slender, but elegantly formed. A fair COM
plexion, with a delicate tint of the rose;
large hazel eyes, full of life and feeling,
| and luxurant hair of rich. soft auburn,
formed combination of attractions which
were eminently calculated TO move the
heart of youthful bachelor. In addition
to all this, the lady was admirably graceful
she rode, danced and moved with elegant
ease, and sang and played on the harpsichord
very sweetly.
| Add still to these accomplishments the
possession of excellent good sense, very
considerable cultivation, warm, loving
heart, and last, though not least, notable
talents for housekeeping, dnd it will not be
difficult to understand how the youthful
Mr. jefferson came to visit very frequently
at the lady's residence, in the county of
Charles City. It was called 'sThe Forest,
and the name of the lady was Mrs. Martha
Shelton. She was a daughter of John
Wayles, an eminent lawyer, and had mar
ried in her seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst
Shelton, who, dying in 1863, left his
young wife a widow at nineteen. AS the
three years of mourning began to expire,
the beautiful young lady found herself be-
sieged at The Forest by numerous visit
ors. Of these three were favorites with
the fair Mrs. Shelton, of whom Mr.. Thomas
Jefferson was one. The tradition runs that
the pretensions of the rivals were decided
either by the musical accomplishments of
the young counsellor, or by the fears of his
opponents The tale is differently related.
One version is, that the two unfortunate
gentlemen encountered each other on Mrs.
Skelton's doorstep, but hearing Mr.. Jeffer-
sons violin and voice accompanying the la
DIV in pathetic song, gave up the contest
thenceforth and retired without entering,
convinced that the affair was beyond their
control.
The other story is, that all three met at
the door, and agreed that they would take
their turns. Mr.. Jefferson entered first,
and the tones of the lady in singing with
her companion deprived the listeners of all
hope. However this may be, it is certain
that the beautiful widow consented to be-
come Mrs. Jefferson; and on the first of
January, 1772, there was great festival at
The Forest Friends and kindred as
sembled from far and near-there was frol-
licking and dancing after the abundant old
fashion-and we find from the bridegroom's
note book that the servants and fddlers re-
ceived fees from his especial pocket.
It showed without, but within all was
mirth and enjoyment, in the light and warmth
of the great log fires, roaring in honor of
| the occasion. Soon after the performance
| of the ceremony, the bridegroom and his
bride set out in their carriage for ''Monti-
cello," where Mr.. Jefferson had commenced
building in 1869, just before the destruc-
ton by fire of his patrimonial house of
f'Shadwell. The journey was not to end
without adventures. AS they advanced to-
ward the mountains, the snow increased in
depth, and finally they were compelled to
leave the carriage and proceed upon their
way on horseback.
Stopping to rest at ''Blenheim," the seat
of Col. Carter, where they found, however,
no one but an overseer, they left it at sunset,
resolutely bent upon reaching Monticello be-
fore night. It was eight miles distant, and
the road, which was rather mountain bri
die path than an honest highway, was en-
numbered with snow three feet deep. We
may fancy the sensations of the newly -wed
ded bride at the chill appearance of the des-
olate landscape, as she passed along the
snow; but she was a woman Of courage
and good sense, and did not care for incon-
venience It was late when they arrived,
and a cherries reception awaited them-or
rather there was no reception at all. The
fires were all out, the servants had gone to
bed, and the place was as dark and silent as
the grave. Conducting his wife to the little
pavilion. which was the only part of the
house habitable at the time, Mr.. Jefferson
proceeded to do the honors. On a shelf.
behind some books, part of a bottle of wine
was discovered, and this formed the supper
of the bridegroom and the bride. Far from
being annoyed or disconnected by the re-
ception, however, it only served for topic
of jest and laughter. The young lady was
merry and lght-hearted as bird, and sent
her clear voice ringing through the dreary
little pavilion as gaily as she had ever done
in the cheerful drawing room of ''The For
est.'' Thus the long hours of the winter
night fed away winged with laughter, mer
riment and song. The vigil was mirthful
incident rather than trial of their equan-
unity. They were young, and they had
Just been married. When hands are clasped,
and hearts beat close together, there is very
little gloom in darkness, and winter nights
are not cold. This little moral sentiment
will not, hope. be criticised as too roman
tic for the ''dignity of history" It doubt
less explains how a young lady and gentle
man, both used to every comfort and lux
ury, found the gloomy little pavilion in the
midst of three feet of snow neither dark nor
cold, in that January night, long ago.
Success Of the Great Eastern.
We find, in the details of the run of the