Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-12-20
snnshine has affected the iron surface.

These objects take you back to a remote
period, very unlike thepresent, when buildings,
tombstones, ,andall other things, seem construct
ed Of transient materials. Another memorial
Of old times is the grove Of great oaks around
the church. What picturesque scenes these
must have witnessed! Beneath their spread
ing boughs, generation after generation, rolled
the charots of old-time Virginians, drawn by
their four horses, and containing the squire, his
wife, and maidens and children, attending
church. To these boughs were tethered the
brides OF thoroughbred horses, ridden by gall
lant youths.
Yonder the chariots discharge their burdens
the pompous old lord of the manor, the good
dame his wife, and the little beauty, their
daughter, in her greathooped dress squarebodice,
powdered hair, and rcd-heeled shoes, which
she displays as she raises her silk dress and
scarlet "petticoat," as they called it then.-
You may see her still, in imagination, as she
smiles and mods, Staying, with her bright eyes,
the youths with embroidered coats, long waist
coats and ruflles, who hasten to assist her, and
contend for the touch Of the small band.
All that has passed away; the youths and
madens are long dead. The parson no more
sweeps down the vestry-stairs, or thunders, or
droues in lis high, tub-sbaped pulptabove the
| listeners in the lofty pews. Squire and dame
and parson and gallant lover and little beauty
! live alone in the memory OF tue great oaks.
which waved above them, wave still, and will
probably rustic their leaves in the winds of an
other century.
Such is and was old ST. Peters Church-an
interesting relic, to-day, Of a time that is long
dead interesting, more than all, as | have
said, as having been the scene Of Washington 5
wedding.
Tie incident which LED to that event is worth
uarrating, and something of comedy. hope
in relating it | shall not be charged with 81 IT.
reverence to the memory of the famous bride
groom. lie was man Of lofty pride, august
dignity--a very grand type of manhood. But
he was man, not demi-god, and =" fell in
love" at least twice in bis life like the hum
bIest of his species This was his second love,
and something Of romance was connected with
/ the origin Of the affair.
1t was in the spring Of 1853. Mr.. Custis,
planter residing at his estate called the
." White House, was riding ont one morning,
when he met, coming from the northward, q
young gentleman of military appearance,
excellently mounted, and accompanied by a
gaunt old servant, or sergeant, who rode res
pectfuly few PAGES behind his master. The
new conner was Colonel George Washington,
on his way from Winchester to Williamsburg,
and his attendant Bishop formerly Bra1dock's
/ body servant, now bis own.
Washington was twenty-five at that time, and
a young man Of great sedateness and dignity.
He was in clief command on the frontier, and
saw or thought little of the fair sex. But, on
this spring morning of 1853, his time had
come"
Mr.. Cnstis greeted him, and invited him to
stop at the White House. He would do so
with pleasure, but it would be for half an hour
only. His business was pressing; he must hast
en- on to see his cxcellency at Williamsburg.
And conversing, they rode back aud reached
the White House Here Washington dis
mounted, and delivered his horse TO Bishop,
with orders to wait him there; he would con-
tinue his Journey in half an hour. Bishop
saluted gravely, with hand raised to his hat
! his master entered the house and the bali
! hour passed-the old servant waiting patient
/ ly
| His master did not, however, make his APP
pearancc. The event was unheard Of Col.
Washington was the soul of pulctuality; he
was on pressing public business; what could
be the meaning Of this strange and unwonted
delay?
An hour passed-two hours-passcd Col.
Washington did not reappear. But servant
came out and delivered an order from Lin to
the motionless old body-guard. lie would
conduct the horses to the stables bis master
would dine, aud possibly spend the night with
Mr. Custis Bishop obeyed-tho world was
clearly coming to an end and Colonel Wash
iDston was the guest Of the owner Of the
White House.
On the next morning, Bishop in obedience to
orders to that effect, saddled the horses and
waited before the door for the colonel, who
designed setting out, he sand Immediately. An
hour passed the colonel did not appear. Two
hours afterward, there was still no signs Of him.
Then the servant came again, and directed the
horses to he led~bacli Colonel Washington
would remain 10 dinner, and then continue his
journey.
The day was far spent when the young SOL
der made his appearance, and vaulted into tie
saddle. Tall, vigorous, graceful, aud With
certain loftiness Of port, even then distin-
gushable, he was a gallant-iOokius cavalier
one whom any woman might admire.
One was gazing at him through the window
"a young lady of about his own age, with rosy
cheeks, bright eyes, hair carried back from the
forehead, aud reck, resembling snow, above
the square-cut bodice. The young colonel
- ,oo,f,. ~ rottiri r,