The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-08
IEEEEPSON,S WEnnINC

The following pleasing picture is from the Early
Days of jefferson, in the New York Century:
''Beinda," (Jetferson's first love) had been mar
ried many years, and her old admirer was ap-
proaching thirty, when he met with young lady
of twenty-five, who produced strong impression
upon him. She a little above the medium
height, slender, but elegantly formed a fair COM
plexion with delicate tint of the rosc large hazel
eyes, full of life and feeling, and luxurant hair of
a rich soft auburn, formed combination of attrac-
tions which were emipently 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 sarg and
played on the harpischord very sweetly. Add still
to these accomplishments the possession of excel
lent good sense, very considerable cultivation a
warm, loving heart and last though not the least,
notable talents for housekeeping, and it will not be
difficult to understand how the youthful Mr. Jeer-
son came to visit very frequently at the lady resi-
dence in the county of Charles City. 1t was call
ed ''The Forest" and the name of the lady was
Mrs. Martha Skelton. She was daughter of John
Wayles, eminent lawyer and had married in
her seventeenth year, Mr.. Bathurst Skelton, who
dying in l76S, left his young wife widow at nine
teen. AS the three years of mourning begun to ex
pire the beautiful young lady found herself besieg
ed at ''The Forest" by numerous visitors Of
these, three favorites with the fair Mrs. Skel
ton, of whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson was one. The
tradition runs that the pretensions of the rivals
were decided, either by the musical accomplish
ments of the young counsellor, or by the fears eff
his opponents The tale IS differently related. One
version is, that the two unfortunate gentlemen en-
countered each other on Mrs Skeletons door step,
but hearing Mr. Jefferson's violin and voice accom-
panying the lady in pathetic song gave up the
contest thencefOrth ana retired without entering,
convinced that the affair beyond their con-
troll.
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 become Mrs.
Jefferson, and on the first dav of January, l7T2,
there was great festival at 'The Forest" Friends
and kindred assembled from far and near-there
was frolicking and dancing after the abundant old
tashion-and we find from the bridegrooms note
book that the servants and fdders received t, es
from his especial pocket. 1t showed without. but
within all mirth and enjoyment, in the light
and warmth of the great log fires, roaring in honor
of the occasion Soon after the performances of the
ceremony, the bridegroom and his bride set for
''Monticelo," where Mr.. Jefferson had commenced
building in 1769 Just before the destruction bv fire
of his patrimonal house of "Shadwell." The jour
ney was not to end without adventures As they ad-
vanced towards the mountain the snow increased in
depth;and finally they were compelled to leave their
carriage and proceed ON their way on horseback.
Stepping to rest at Blenheim the seat of Col Car
ter, where they found however, one but over
seer, they leftit at sunset resouely bent
ing Monticello before night. 1t was eight miles
distant. and the road, which was rather noun
tain bride path than an honest highway, en-
numbered with snow three feet deep. We may
fancy the sensations of the newly welded bride al
the chill appearance Of the desoate landscape,
she passed along through the snow; but she was
woman of courage and good sense, and did not care
| for inconvenience. 1t was late when they arrived
| and 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 ss the grave. Conducting
his wife TO the little pavilion, which the only
part of the house habitable at the time, Mr.. Jeer
son proceeded to do the honors. On a shelf behinC
some books, part of bottle of wine was discovered
and this formed the supper Of the bridegroom ant
| the bride. Far from being annoyed or discounted
| by their reception, however, it only served for
topic of jest and laughter. The young lady was al
merry and lighthearted bird, and sent he
clear voice ringing through the dreary little pavil
ion gaily as she had ever done in the cheerful
drawing room of ''The Forest Thus the long hour
OF the winter night fled away like minutes, winged
with laughter, merriment and song. The vigil wa
mirthtul incident rather than trial of thei
equanimlty. They were young-and they had jus
been married. When hands are clasped, and heaI t
beat close together, there is very little gloom il
| darkness, and winter nights are not cold. Thi
little moral sentiment will not, hope be criticized
as too romantic for the "dignity of history" l
doubtless explains how young lady and gentleman
| both used to every comfort and luxury found tn
gloomy little pavilion in the midst of three feet
snow, neither dark nor cold, on that January nigh
| long agO.