The Van Buren press., 1859-09-30
Jesenons wedding ma his wed,
din6 Night

Se0ex10uo Vse8 ma h1D Wed
dint Night
The following pleasing picture is from
the Early Days Of Jefferson. in the New
York Csstsry:
Belinda (Jeferson's first love) had
been married many years, and her old ad-
mirer was approaching thirty, when be met
with young lady Of twenty-five, who
produced strong impression upon him.
She was little shove the medium height,
slender. bat elegantly formed. A fair conn
plexiou, with delicste tint Of the rose !;
large basel eyes, full Of life and feeling !;
and luxurisnt hair Of rich, soft auburn.
formed combination Of attractions which
were eminently calculated 70 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 hsrpsiehord We
~ sweetly. Add still to these accomplish
ments the possession of excellent good
sense, very considerable cultivation. a
warm, loving heart, and last, though not
least. notable talents for housekeeping, and
it will not be difficult to understand how
it very frequently At the lady's residence in
the couatry of Charles City 1t was call
ed =" The Forest" and the nane Of the Ia
dy was Mrs. Martha Skeltoa. She was .
daughter Of John Way;es, an esainent law
yer. and had married in her seventeenth
year, Nr. Bathurst Shelton. who. dying in
l5e8, left his young wife . widew At nine
teen. As the three years of meuraing be-
gan to expire. the beautiful young lady
found herself besieged At a. The Forest % by
numerous visiters. OF these. three we're
favorites with the fair Mrs. Skelton, of
whom Mr.. Thomas Jefferson was one. The
traditions runs that the pretentions of the
rivals were decided, either by the musical
accomplishments of the young counselor, or
BY the fears Of his opponents. The table is
differently related. One version is, that
the two unfortunate gentlemen encountered
each other ON Mrs. Skelton's doorstep, but
hearing Mr.. Je6erson's violin and voice &C.
companying the lady 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 men 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 day
of January, 1772, there was . great festi-
val at "The Forest Friends and kin
dreds assembled from far and near-there
was frolicking and dancing after the abun-
dant old fashion-and we find from the
bridegroom's notebook that the servants
and fiddlers received fees from his especial
pocket. 1t showed without, but within all
was mirth and enjoyment. in the light and
warmth of the great log-fres, roaring in
honor of the occasion. Soon after the per.
Torrance of the ceremony, the bridegroom
and his bride set out in their carriage fo,
Monticello" where Mr. jefferson had
commenced building in 1869. just before
the destruction by fire of his patrimonial
house of Shadwell.'' The journey wa.
not to end without adventures. As they
advanced towards the mountains, the snow
increased in depth, and finally they wer,
compelled to leave their carriage and pro
ceed on their way on horseback. Stopping
to rest at " Blenheim," the seat of Col Car
ter, where he found, however, no one bu
an overseer, they left at sunset. resolutely
bent on reaching Monticello before night
1t was eighty miles distant. and the road
which was rather . mountain bride patl
than an honest highway, was cncumberet
with snow three feet deep. We may fancy
the sensations of the newly welded brid,
at the chill appearance of the desolate land
scape, as she passed along through the snow
but she was . woman of courage and goot
sense, and did not care for inconvenience
1t was late when they arrived, anda cheer
less reception awaited them-or, rather
there was NO reception at all. The fire,
were all ont, the servants had gone to bed
and the place was as dark and silent as ths
grave. Conducting his wife to the LITTLE
pavilion, which was the only part of th'
house habitable At the time, Mr.. Jefferson
proceeded to do the honors. On a shelf be
hind some books. part of bottle of win.
was discovered and this formed the supper
of the bridegroom and the bride. Far frou
being annoyed or discounted by their re
ception, however, it only served for . topic
of Jest and laughter. The young lady wa,
a. merry and light hearted Is bird, ant
sent her clear voice ringing through the
dreary little pavilion as gaily As she had ev
CT QOuc III CuccKlu1 o.
"The Forest" Thus the long hours o.
the winter night fed awsy like minutes
winged with laughter. meniment and song
The vigil was . mirthful incident rsthel
than . trial of their equanimity. They
were young-and they had just been mar
married. When hands arc clasped, aud
hearts beat close together. there 10 very lit
.le gloom in darkpess. and winter night,
are not cold. This little moral sentimen,
will not. hope, Be criticised as too roman.
tic for ths /" dignity II history. Il doubt
less explains how young lady and gen
tleman, both used to every comfort and lux
ury. found the gloomy little pavilion in tht
midst ef three feet Of snow, neither darl
nor cold. On that January night long ago.
~ A pious lady in Virginia was in ,ht