The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-21
JEFFERSON,S WEDDING.

The following scene is from the
'Early Days of Jefferson" in the New
York Century:
Belinda (Jeferson's first love) had
been married many years, and her old
admirer was approaching thirty, when
he met young lady of twenty-five,
who had produced strong impression
upon him. She was. little above the
medium hight, slender, but elegantly
formed. A fair complexion, with de-
licate tint of the rose large hazel eyes,
full of life, and feeling, and luxuriant
hair of rich, soft auburn, formed COM
bination of attractions which were en-
inently calculated to move the heart of
youthful bachelor. In addition to all
this, the lady was admirably graceful !;
she rode, danced and moved with ele-
giant ease, and sang and played on the
harpsichord very sweetly.
''Add still to those accomplishments
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 the youthful Mr. Jefferson came
to visit very frequently at the lady's
residence, in the county of Charles CT
ty. [ was called 'The Forest and the
name Of the lady was Mrs. Martha
Shelton. She was the daughter of j ohm
Wales, an eminent lawyer, and had
married in her seventeenth year, MIR.
SHELTON, who dying in 1868, left his
young wife a widow of nineteen. AS
the three years of mourning began to
expire, the beautiful young lady found
herself besieged at The Forest by
numerous visitors. Ofthese three were
favorites 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
counselor, or by the fears of his oppon-
ents. The tale is differently related.
One version is, that the two unfortunate
gentlemen encountered each other on
Mrs. Skeletons door-steps, but hearing
Mr.. Jefferson's violin and voice accom-
panying 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
met at the door, and agreed that they
would take tnrns. Mr.. Jefferson en-
tered 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. JEFF
ferson; and on the 1st of January,
l777, there was grand festival at the
Forest. Friends and kindred as
sembled from far and near; there was
trolicing and dancing after the album
dant old fashion, and we find from the
bridegrooms note book that the SER
wants and tiddlers 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 fires, roar
ing in honor of the occasion. Soon
after the performance of the ceremony
the bridegroom and his bride set out
in their carriage for Monticello, where
Mr. Jefferson had commenced building
in 100, just before the destruction by
fire of his patrimonial house of "Shad-
we'll" The journey was not to end
without adventures. AS they advanced
towards the mountains the snow in
creased in depth, ard finally they were
compelled to leave the carriage and
proceed upon their way on horseback.
Stopping to rest at Blenheim,
the seat of Col. Carter, where they
found, however, no one but an over
seer, the LETT it at sunset, resolutely
bent upon reaching Monticello before
night. 1t was eight miles distant, and
the road, which was rather a mountain
bride path than an honest highway,
was incumbered with snow three feet
deep. We may fancy the sensations of
the newly married bride at the chill
appearance of the 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 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 as
the grave. Conducting his wife to the
little pavilion, which was the only part
Of the house habitable at the time, Mr..
Jeffe son proceeded to do the honors.
On shelf behind some books, part ola
bottle of wine was discovered, and this
formed the supper of the bridegroom
and bride. Far from being annoyed OF
disconnected by the reception, however,
it only served for a topic of jest and
laughter. The young lady was merry
and light hearted as bird, and sent
her clear voice ringing through the
dreary little pavilion as gayly as she
had ever done in the cheerful drawing
room of "The Forest" Thus the long
hours of the winter night fled away
winged with laughter, merrlment and
song. The vigil was a mirthful Incl
dent rather than trial of their equa-
nimity. They were young, and they
had Just been married. When hands
are clasped, and hearts beat close toy
ether, there is very little gloom in dark
ness, and winter nights are not cold.
This little moral sentiment will not,
hope, be criticised as too romantic for
the ''dignity of history" 1t doubtless
1o6u on6