North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-11-14
THE WHITE HOUSE AND ITs AysO-
CATION.

Yesterday we rode through the estate Of
Gen. w. HI. F. Le", son Of General Robert
E Lee. This is the large tract of land
known to history as the "White House.
1t lies south of the Papunkey river, and
alb ut five thousand acres of first class land.
In June, 1862, when the grand cavalry re-
conuoisancc was made in rear of McClel
lan's army, battle was fought on the farm
bet veen General SEuart's command and
some Federal infantry, stationed here to
guard commissary and 9uarlermaster sup
plies. The Frderals, in this engagement
were forced to beat hasty retreat to their
gunboats, leaving many of their dead be-
lind. =
Only small portion of this farm was
under cultivation last year. Gen. w. H..
+. Lee, immediately after the unfortunate
termination of ev ,nts, pulled off his coat.
(if he rad onc,l rolled up his sleeves. and
pitched lu' like n good fellow. Noble
example! What witheTing rebnke 10
those young men who throw away their
time in fr,iiless searches after soft posi-
tions, such a. clerkships. drummers, and so
on! TIE owner of five thousand acres OF
the best land in the State, the dashing and
gallant caval'y officer, the accomplished
scholar. the thorouch gentleman, the train
ed soldier, in short. tin SON Of Robert +,
Lee, is not e>hamrd TO walk between the
plow and handles? Gen Lees present
residence is n small cabin, recently bu It,
1t stands in clump Of trees rear the river
bank, about one mile below the ruins OF the
=. Whit. House." He has no family-hav.
ing lost his wifi. and children turing the
war. Previous 10 the bnil,lnng of the cab
in, tie Grnei al lept out OH the ground -
His table, so called, is supplied with SOL
diers' fare. r-
few chimneys, standing near the river
bank. is all that is nov left of the White
House. Nay. not all : a Thousand memo
ries lnger around those burnt chimneys-
memories of the good, the brave, and the
great. ...... ... =
Many years ago. in the good old days
of knee buckles, there lived here fair and
c0meIv widow. Possessed of personal
beauty, winning manners, and rare mental
accom- lishmrnts; reared in the lap of
wealth. the daughter of courtly gentle
man, she was woman well worthy to
wear the matronis crown. Chief among
her admirers. was tall, fine looking young
maa from We>tmorrlanh county. Nature
had stamped greatness upon his countrn-
arce, while loving mother had woven the
garland of truth around his soul. He low
ed the gentle wid"w, (couId he help it D.
the gentle widow loved him, (could she
help it? How he wooed and won her i'm
her river home what whispered words of
endearment passed from mouth to ear, as,
hand in hand, they walked where then the
''vernal flowers purpied all the ground but
whore now the ashes lie.-let them old
c'imneys tell - not |. They made love-
made il, | venture, pretty much in the
same foolish way young people do now
For love, after all, is to the emotional world
what carbon is to the m,terial-it never
loses its identity. 1t is the same thing to-
day it was yestrrday--it is the same thing
to-day that it will be to morrow.
Genrge Washington loved the widow
Cusiis--the widow Gusts loved George
Washington--and the old folks Offering no
obi ecton. they were married lin the usual
way" Tho burnt cIimneys might say;
" We saw clonds at morning
Tinged by the rising .up;
And in the dawn they hnated on,
And mingled into one; -'.g F...
We thought tho morning cloud was
i lest ....
1t moved so sweetly to the west /
The marriage ceremony was performed
by an Episcopal minister in the St. Peters
Church. THIS ancient building may still
be SEN bv the curious traveller SOM two
miles south of the ruins IF the White
House Up to the commencement Of the
late war, it was neat little country chapel
dedicated to the living God. where the
nei. boring planters had been Wont for
m ire than century to assemble, Sabbath
after Sabbath. to listen to the words of"hn-
y writ" anil sing praises to the Lord God
of Israel But during the war set of
miserable scoundrels attached to the Fed
tral army violated tins holy sanctuary; de-
facing the walls with obscene pencil sketch
es, breaking to pieces the tablet whereon
was inscribed the marriage of General
Washingto" to Mrs, Gusts, and so mntila
ting the building As to render il unfit tor
divine service--Richmond Times.