The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-11-29
EVANSVILLE, ND TUESDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 90 1889

progress was arrested by one of those per-
sonages who gave the beau-ideal of the VIZ
ginia gentleman of the old regin1e-the very
soul of kindiiness and hospitality. 1t was
in vain the soldier urged his business at
Williamsburg, important communications 70
the governor, &c. Mr.. Chamberlayne, on
whose domain the militdre had Just landed,
would hear of no excuse. Col. Washington,s
was name and character SO dear to all the
Nirginians, that his passing by oneiof the
old castles of the Dominion without calling
and partaking of the hospitalities of the
host, was entirely out of the question.
8; The Colonel, however, did not surren-
der at discretion, but stoutly maintained his
ground, till Chamberlayne, bringing up his
reserve in the intimation that he would in
troduce his friend to young and charming
widow, then beneath his roof, the soldier
capitulated, on condition that he should
dine-only dine-and then, by pressing his
charger and borrowing of the night, he
would reach williamsburg before his Excel
lency could shake off his morning slumbeTs-
Orders were accordingly issued to Bishop,
the coloners body servant and faithful fol-
lower, who, together with the fine English
charger, had been bequeathed by the dying
Braddock to Major Washington, on the
famed and fatal field of the Monongahela--
Bishop, bred in the school of European dis
cjpline, raised his hand to his cap, as much
as to say, Your honors' orders shall be
obeyed.'
"The colonel now proceeded to the man
sion, and was introduced to various guests,
(for when was Virginian domicile of the
olden time without guests y and above all,
to the charming widow. Tradition relates
that they were mutually pleased on this
their first interview. Nor is it remarkable.
They were of an age when impressions are
strongest. The lady was fair to behold of
fascinating manners, and spendidly en-
dowed with worldly benefit. The hero,
fresh from his early fields, redolent of fame,
and with form Oh which
Every god did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assurance of a man?f
The morning passed pleasantly away
evening came, with Bishop, true to his or
ders and firm at his post, holding the favor
ite charger with one hand, while the other
was waiting to offer the ready stirrup.
I" The sun sank in the horizon, and yet
the colonel appeared not. And then the
old soldier marvelled at the chiefs delay
''Twas strange, twas passing strange
surely he was not wont to be single mo-
met behind his appointments for he was
the most punctual of all punctusl men,
Meantime, the host enjoyed the scene of the
veteran on duty at the gate, while the
colonel was SO agreeably employed in the
parlor, and proclaiming that no guest ever
left his house after sunset, his military visi-
tor was, without much difficulty, persuaded
to order Bishop to put up the horses for the
night.
- The sun rode high in the heavens the
ensuing day, when the eAamored soldier
pressed with his spur his chargers side, and
speeded on his way to the seat of govern
ment, where, having dispatched his public
business, he retraced his Steps, and, at the
White House, marriage engagement took
place.