The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1869-12-25

An n0ur paSSeu-tWO uOurS-paSSeu. COl.
Washington did not reappear. But servant
came out and delivered an order from him to the
motionless old body guard. He would conduct
the horses to the stables bis master would dine
and possibly spend the night with Mr.. CustS.-
Bishop obeyed-the world was clearly coming to
an end ?-and Colonel Washington was the guest
Of the owner of the White House.
On the next morning, Bishop, in obedience to
orders to that effect, sadded the horses and wait
ed before the door for the colonel, who designed
setting out, he said, Immediately. An hour pass
cd the colonel did not appear. Two hours af-
terward, there was still no signs OF him. Then
the servant came again, and directed the horses
TO be led back Colonel Washington would re-
main to dinner, aud then continue his journey.
The day was far spent when the young soldier
made his appearance, and vaulted into the sad
die. Tall, vigorous, graceful, and with certain
lofliueSs OF port, even then distinguishabc, he
was gallart-looking cavilier-one whom any
woman might admire.
One was gazing at him through the window
young lady Of about Lis own age, with rosy
checks, bright eyes, hai- carried back from the
forehead, and neck, resembling snow, above
the square-cut bodice. The young colonel rein
I'd his high spirited horse, nearly throwing him
upon his launches and made courteous salute
with his right hand, lit was nearly the attitude
of a bronze statue of him AFTERWARDS, and gallop-
ed away, thinking probably Of the bright eyes
and lips.
Colonel George Washington, of Mount Ver-
non, had seen for the first time Mrs. Martha
Cusis, the beautiful young widow, who, IL year
after, was to become his wife.
Tradition relates that the ceremony took place
TO in the beginning of this sketch. The scene
was a brilliant one and may interest the reader
1t was in January, 1859. The Rev. DR.. Mossom,
parson of the parish, attended in full cauonicals,
and the pair advanced, followed by bevy of
beauties and groomsmen. Washington was clad
in suit of blue-and-silver, lined with red silk
his waiscoat was embroidered his knee and
shoe buckles We're of gold his hair was powder
ed ; and he wore crossword. The bride was
dressed in white satin, with rich pointed lace
ruffies ; had pearl ornaments in her hair pearl
necklace, earrings, and bracelets /; white satin
shoes, with high heels and diamond buckles -
and was followed, as has been said, by an array
of beautiful and richly dressed girls, leaning up
on the arms Of groomsmen, in costumes rs i'm
posing The vice-regal Governor of Virginia,
in a suit of scarlet, embroidered with gold with
huge bag-wig and crossword, was seen in the
midst of number of officers of the English army
and navy aud a great crowd of what were then
called the gentry'-friends and relations of the
bride and groom-flled the church, all intent up
on the interesting ceremony One parsonage
has been rgotten-Bishop, the old body-se-vant.
He, too was present With folded arms, and
much emotion on his aged face, he gazed at the
ceremony with the rest.
It soon ended, and the brilliant crowd flowed
forth from the old church. Tradition relates that
the bride and as many of her fair attendants as
could do so, entered the great chariot, which
rolled off, drawn by its six spirited horses while
the bridegroom, fonder OF horseback, mounted
his splendid English charger, bequeathed to him
by Braddock, and cantered after the coach, at
tended by number of gallant youths.
Such was that picturesque scene in the life of
the Father of his Country. We see so much of
the great soldier, statesman and ruler, that it is
pleasant to catch glimpse of the lover and bride
groom Why not One phase of the individual
the public and official phase-presents only the
profile. To obtain the full likeness, the other
phase must be deineated, too. The unreason-
able theory has been to regard Washington as an
abstraction of patriotism and virtue when he
was man like other men, with strong passions
and human sympathies and infirmities. The re-
suit has been that he has failed in a measure to
impress the heart. Men admire, but are chilled
by him-by that bronze statue under which a
heart never beat. Such an idea is a falla-
cy Few human beings have ever felt more
deeply than Washington. He loved warmly,
and if he did not hate bitterly, it was because
his moral nature revoled from hatred, the sister
of injustice, and his immense self.control enabled
him to rule himself.
But this moral discourse is apart from the aim
of the little sketch here presented. Ifthat sketch
perhaps, the merit of being characteristic. The
contrast at least is something. Few men are left
of that mans mould, and our weddings to-day
are prosac Blue and silver coats, with red silk
Innings, are not the fashion. Six-horse chariots
have disappeared. All that brilliant life OF the
past has faded into the unpicturesque nineteenth
century, and the poetry, splendor, and romance,
have all turned to prose.
But the great oaks and old church, lost in the
wilds of New Kent, are still there. Beneath the
trees flashed that brilliant cortege of old days-in
that building George Washington placed the ring
on the finger of his bride. All has passed away
now The stately and beautiful figures have
loug lain down in their tombs but the stubborn
trunks, with their ancient inscriptions, remain
to recall the life of the past.-Applet0ns journal.
ASINGULAR WoMAN-THE MAGIC EIGHTEEN ~
The Columbia Spy relates a very singular case
of an old lady in the 84th year of her age, resi-
ding in the southern extremity of one Of the
principal streets of that town, named Deborah
Brant who has for long time attracted the at.
/
by her singular conduct. 1t appears that Miss
| B. received very good education, SO considered
in her youth, and at the age of thirty, having nc
means Of support opened school in the southern
portion of this county She would take only
eighteen pupils, and though numerous applica
tions were made for admission, none succeeded
Ifany vacancies occurred, she took mp the ap
plications in the order Of date, and admitted 6
number sufficient to make the magic eighteen
She would have her school open but eighteer
days in a onth, and the school year divided
into two terms of eighteen weeks each Sh'
charged eighteen cents week for tuition for th'
smaller pupils, and twice eighteen for older ant
more advanced ones. In health shc would worl
eighteen hours day, devoting the remaining
six hours to sleep. She led this peculiar, seden
tary life for many years with long vacation
periods. In ls49, having received legacy from
an only relative, she went to Columbia, and ha
since then led quite secluded life, refusing t.
see strangers, and seldom, if ever, allowing thos
around her to converse with her. On each re
turning eighteenth birthday, she is given t
unusual depression of spirits and during the da
will not speak word. On the eighteenth
each month, her reticence and depressions ar
more noticeable than at other times. She keep
har own secrets. something which younger ladie