The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-09-27
WashingtOn's First Interview with
his Wife.
by G. w. CUsTIs.

W year 1853, an officer, attired in
the military undress, and attended by a
body servant, tall and militaire as his
chief, crossed the ferry called Williams
over the Pamonkey, branch Of the
York river. On the boat touching the
southern or New Kent side, the soldiers
progress was arrested by one Of those
personages who give the beau idedJ Of
the Virginia gentlemen of the old regime,
the very soul of kindliness and hospitali-
ty. 1t was in vain that the soldier urged
his business at Williamsburg, important
communications to the governor, &c. Mr..
Chamberlayne, on whose demain the mil
itaire had just landed, would hear Of no
excuse. Colonel Washington was name
and character so dear to all the Virgini-
ans, that his passing by one Of the old
castles of Virginia without calling and
partaking Of the hospitalities of the
host, was entirely out of the question.
The colonel, however, did not surrender
at discretion, but stoutly maintained his
ground, till Chamberlayne, bringing up
his reserve in the intimation that he
would introduce his friend to young
and charming widow then beneath his
roof, the soldier capitulated on condition
that he should dine-and then, by press
ing his charger and borrowing of the
night he would reach Williamsburg be-
fore His Excellency could shake off his
morning slumbers. Orders we're accord
ingly issued to Bishop, the colonel's body
servant and faithful follower, who, to-
gether with fine English charger, had
been bequeathed by the dying Braddock
to Major Washington, on the famed and
fatal field Of the Monongahela Bishop,
bred in the school of European disipline,
raised his hand to his cap, as much as to
say, "Your honor's orders shall be obey
ed"
The colonel now proceeded to the
mansion, and was introduced to various
guests, (for when was a Virginian domi-
Gil of the oldcn time without guests p
and above all, to the charming widow
Tradition relates that they were mutually
pleased on their first interview; nor was
it remarkable They were of an age
when impressions are strongest. The la
dy was fair to behold, of fascinating man
ners, and splendidly endowed with world
ly benefits the hero, fresh from his early
fields, redolent of fame and with form
on which every god did seem to set his
seal to give the world assurance of a
man."
The morning passed pleasantly evening
came with Bishop trne to his orders, and
firm to his post, holding his favorite
charger with the one hand, while the
other was waiting.to offer the ready stir
rup. The sun sank in the horizon, and
yet the colonel appeared not and then
the old soldier marvelled at his chiefs
delay. "'Twas strange, twas passing
strange" surely he was not wont to be a
single moment behind his appointments,
for he was the most punctual of all pune
tual men. Meantime, the host enjoyed
the scene of the veteran on duty at the
gate, while the colonel was SO agreeably
employed in the parlor; and proclaiming
that no guest ever left his house after
sunset his military visitor was without
much difficulty persuaded to order Bishop
to put up the horses for the night.
The sun rode high in the heavens the
next day, when the enamoured soldier
pressed with his spur his chargers side
and speeGed on his way to the seat of
government, where, having dispatched
his public business he retraced his steps.
and at the White House the engagement
took place with preparations for the mar
riage.
And much had the biographor heard
of that marriage from gray-haired domes-
tics, who waited at the board where love
made the feast and Washington was the
guest. And rare and high was the rev.
elry at that balmy period of Virginias
festal age, for many were gathered to
that marriage Of the good, the great, the
gifted and the gay, while Virginia with
joyful acclamation, hailed in her youthful
hero prosperous and happy bridegroom.
"And so you remember when Colonel
Washington came accounting of your mis-
tress" said the biographer to old Gully,
in his hundredth year.
cav r,oetar tbnt 10 - .o,l:o1