The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-07
Jefferson,s weaA1-.
The following scene il from the early days Of
Jefferson, In the New York Century.

The following scene II from the early dsvs Of
Jefferson, in the New York Century:
Belinda" Jeferson's frat love) had hsen
approaching thirty, when be met met Win i rorns wns
ady OF twenty-five, who produced . strons
impression upon him. She was little ahove
tne medium height. slender, but elegantly form
the rose; large hazel eyes, full OF life and feeI-
ing, and luxuriant hair Of rich. soft auburn.
formed combination Of attractions which
were eminently calculated to move the heart
Dfa youthful bachelor. In addition to all this
The lady was admirably graceful; she rode.
ianced and moved with elegant ease and sang
tud played on the harpsfcOrd very sweetly.
Add still to these accomplishments the possess
sion ofexcellent good sense, very considerable
cultivation, a warm, loving heart, and last,
though not least, notable talents for house.
Keeping and 1t will not be difficult 10 UNDER
stand how the youthful MI. Jefferson came to
visit very frequently at the lady.s residence,
in the county OF Charles City. II was called
sThe Forest" and the name Of the lady was
Mrs. Martha Shelton. She was the daughter
Of John Wayles, an eminent lawyer, and had
married in her 18th year, Mr.. Bathurst Skelton,
who dying in 1868, left his young wifea widow
at nineteen. As the three years Of mourning
began to expire, the beautiful young lady
found herself besieged at 'The Forrest" by
numerous visitors. OF these, three were fa-
vorites 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 unfornate gentle
men encountered each other on Mrs. Skeletons
doorstep, but hearing Mr.. Jefferson's violin
and voice accompanying the lady in apatheiic
song, gave mp the contest thenceforth and re-
tired without entering, convinced that the at
fair was beyond their control.
The other story is, that all three met at the
door. and agreed that they would take their
Inf ret ND fhn
tones of the lady in singing with her COM
panion 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 day of January,
l772, there was great festival at "The Forest"
Friends and kindred assembled far and near
there was .frolicking and dancing after the
abundant old fashion-and we find from the
bridegroom's notebook that the servants and
fiddlers received fees from his especial pocket.
II showed without, but within all was mirth
and enjoyment, in the light and warmth of
the great long fires, roaring in honor of the
occasion. Soon after the performance of the
ceremony, the bridegroom and the bride set
ont in their carriage for 'Montieello," where
Mr.. Jefferson had commenced building in 1859,
just before the destruction by fire of his patri-
monial house of 'Shadwell." The journey
was not to end without adventures. As they
advanced towards the mountains, the snow
Increased In depth, and finally they were COM
PEELED 10 leave the carriage and proceed
their way on horseback. Stopping to rest at
"Bienhein,'' the seat of Col Carter, where
they found, however, no one but the oyerseer,
they left 1t at sunset, resolutely bent upon
reaching Monticello before night. 1t was
eight miles distant and the road, which was
rather mountain bride path than an honest
highway, was encumbered with snow three
feet deep.
We may fancy the sensations of the newly
welded bride at the chill appearance Of the
desoiate landscape, as she passed along the
snow; but she was woman OF courage and
good sense, and did not care for inconvenience.
1t was late when they arrived, and a cherries
reception awaited thenl-or rather, there was
no reception at all. The fires were all out, the
servants had gone to bed, and tn; place was AS
dark and silent as the grave. Conducting his
wife to the little pavilion, which was the on
ly part of the house habitable at the time, Mr.
Jefferson proceeded TO do the honors. On
shelf behind some books, part of bottle of
wine was discovered; and this formed the sup
per OF the bridegroom and the bride. Far
from being annoyed or discounted by their
reception, however, it only served for a topic
of jest and laughter. The young lady was as
merry and light-hearted as a bird. and sent
her clear voice ringing through the dreary lit
tie pavilion as gaily she had ever done in
in the cheerful drawing-rooIn of "The Forest"
Thus the long hours of the winter night fled
away like minutes, winged with laughter,
merriment, and song. The vigil was a mirth-
ful incident rather than a trial of their equa-
nimity. They were young, and they had Just
been married. When hands 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 romantic for the sdig-
nifty of history Itdoubtless explains how
young lady and gentleman, both used to every
comfort and luxury, found the gloomy little
pavilion in the midst of three feet of snow
neither dark nor cold, on that January night