Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1867-12-19
Jeffsrson's We'd ing.

Century.
g Belinda (Jefferson's first ,ove)
had been married many years, and ner
old admirer was approaching thirty,
when he met a young lady of twenty
two, who had produced a strong iElpres-
sion upon him. She was d little above
the medium hight, slender, but elegant
~ formed. A fair complexion, with IL
delicate tint of the rose; large hazel
eyes, full OF life and feeling, and luXuri-
ant hair of rich, soft auburn, formed q
combination of attractions which We're
eminently calculated to move the heart
of youthful bachelor. In addition to
all this, the lady was admirably grace
FIJI; she rode, danced and moyed with
elegant ease, and sang and played upon
the harpsiclo:,l very sweetly.
land add to those accomplishments
the possession of excellent good sense,
very considerable cultivation, warm,
owing heart, and last, though not least,
notable talent for nous e-keepihg, and it
will not be difficult to understand how
the youthful Mr.. Jefferson came to visit
very frequently at the lady's residence.
i'll the country Of Charles City. 1t was
called The Forest and the name of the
lady was Mrs. Martha Shelton. She
was the daughter of John Wales, an
eminent lawyer, and had married in her
seventeenth year, Mr.. SHELTON, who dy
ing in 17GS, left his young wife widow
OF nineteen. AS the three years of
mourning began to expire, the beautiful
Young lady found herself bcsieged at
The Forest by numerous visitors. OF
these, three were favortes with the fair
Mrs. Shelton, of whom Mr.. Thomas JEFF
terson was one. The tradition runs
that the pretcntonS of the rivals were
decided either by the musical accom-
plsbments of the young counselor, or
by the fears Of his opponents. The tale
is differently related. One version is,
the two unfortunate gentlemen cncoun-
tered each other on Mrs. Skeletons door
step, but hearing Mr.. Jefferson's violin
and voice accompanying the lady i'll
pathetic song, gave up tue contest
thenceforth, and retired without enter
ing, convinced that the affair was be-
You'd their control.
''The other is that all three met at
the door, and agreed that they would
take turns. Mr.. Jefferson entered first;
and the tones of the lady in singing
with her companion deprived the lis
tencrs of all hope. However this may
be, it is certain that the beautiful widow
consented to become Mrs. Jefferson; and
on the first of January, 1777, there was
a grand festival at the Forest Friends
and kindred assembled from far and
near, there was frolicing and dancing
after the abundant old fashion, and we
find from the bridegroom's note book
that the servants and iddlers received
fees from his especial pocket
1t showed without, but within all was
mirth and enjoyment, in the light and
warmth of great log fires, roaring in
honor of the occasion. Soon after the
performance of the ceremony the bride
groom and his bride set out in their car
riage for Monticello, where Mr. Jefferson
had commenced building in 1863, just
before the destruction by fire of his
patrimonial house Of "Shadwell." The
Journey was not to end without adven-
lures. AS they advanced toward the
mountains the SNOW increased in depth,
and 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 overseer, they
left it at sunset, resolutely bent upon
reaching Monticello before night. 1t
was eight miles distant, and the road,
which was rather q mountain bride
path than an honest highway, was in
numbered with snow three feet deep.
We may fancy the sensations of the
newly married bride at the chill appear
ance of the landscape us she passed
along the snow; but she was q woman
of courage and good sense, and did not
care for Inconvenience. 1t was late
when they arrived, and cheerless re-
ception awaited them-or rather there
was no receptions ut ALL The fires were
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..
Jefferson proceeded to do the honors.
On shelf behind some books, part of a
bottle of wine waa discovered, and this
formed the supper of the bridegroom
and bride. Far from being annoyed OF
disconnected by the reception, it only
served for topic of jest and laughter.
The young lady was merry and light
hearted as q 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, merriment and song. The
vigil was mirthful incident rather than
-