Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-09-02
LadY Washington.

In the year 1889, General Washington
yielded TO the cali OF his countrymen, and
his own conviction of duty to the new
born State, and was installed as President
of the young Republic. His wife, Mrs.
Martha Washington, generally called by
courtesy Lady Washington, of course
went up with her husband to the Govern
ment House. She was a refined, thought
full woman, with great blending of
strength, sweetness, and simplicity in her
character. With the calm self.possession
of Christian lady, she entered on her
duties as wife of the President, and, Off
cially, the arst woman in the land, while
she continued to maintain in her habits
and department the simplicity of dress
and the sincerity Of speech for which she
had always been remarked. At first, she
was almost overwhelmed with the hosts
of visitors, many of them idle and trivo.
lous, that she had to receive. This was
soon brought into rule. General Wash
ington had reception" on Wednesdays,
r. -. O-~A,.~s-I - Pc ~
days, for the same number OF hours, dis.
pensing with as much OF mere ceremonial
and state as possible.
There were, however, some ladies who
wanted more splendor, and they resolved
to ask a special audience, and try to alter
the plans of the wife Of their illustrious
| President.
One morning three fair danes appeared
at the Government House they were
dressed out in the utmost gayety and
splendor, as if nature had formed them
merely TO carry finery and trinkets. Dia-
monds sparkled in their ears and glittered
on their necks. Their hair was putted
out, frizzled, crimped, and tortured in
every form but that of natures ele'
gance. They wore also high head
dresses, adorned with artificial flowers
and nodding plunes, and fiuttering
ribbons to crown the editice OF halI
which fashion then decreed should en-
cumber their heads and brains. Their
hands were emblazoned with rings, their
wrists encumbered with ruffles, clasps
and bracelets. Stiff muslin rose like foam
around their chests and shoulders anC
though their rich brocaded silks fell In
costly folds about them, and partially hid
the pressure that gripped in their waists
vet the pent.up heart had TO sympathizt
with the oppressed brain, overweightec
with fashions load. They came rustling
and fluttering into the presence of the
lady they sought. She received them IL
plainly furnished room, in which sh'
spent her morning.
With dignifed courtesy the thoughttu
matron rose to greet her visitors. He
| well-fil book. case, made for use no
show, was behind her chair; her table
with her work basket and materials TO
work before her and in her hand wa
. her knitting needles, the useful compan
ions of many lonely hours. Gravely, ye
most courteously, she heard the remark
which, with taltering speech, they ha
come to make. For they did not find
/ so easy to speak of luxury and display a
| desirable when they were face to face wit
I the noble woman who, through years {
|, anxiety and priVation, had ministered
. the wants and mitigatad the suferings {
g the soldiers during the terrible struggl
/ for independence. Somehow their face
e lost the defiant air and vain simper the
Q presence, and had deepened into seriou
e ness and respectful attention as the wi
0 of Washington, after hearing them. said
: "Ladies, you came to advise me, ant
:. as far as kindness prompted you, al
a obliged for the motive, though l cann'
d act on your suggestions. You are in II
e bloom of life. Many years, trust are b
9 fore you, My age, even more, far mol
:. than my station, sanctions my giving yC
some advice. Dear ladies', suffer the VOL
:, of exhortation. Should Christian wome
O honored wives and mothers, be content
IS aim at no higher glory than that of the i
Is sect that glitters in the sunbeam-to be
v the FREELY, or the humming birdf YC
z spoke OF The greatness of my nusban
o His dear mother ever looked well to q
II ways of her household. Sne taught hi
I to be industrious by her example, for q
k spinning wheel spun the clothes he wo
% from his earliest days. and she, like m
ID sell, loved the knitting needles" Is
y looked, as she spoke, at her knitting
ID " Ladies, during eight years of ceasel'
/ struggle the women OF America-t
as mothers of the land spent no money
"a finery for themselves. They spent
ic their available means in providing cloi
" ing for the army, which, but for that 81
CO cor, must have perished in our long a
| bitter winters. do not wish TO boa
laid only my dutyj nay, know 1t y
1873 my privilege, as Washingtons wife,
On toll for the men under his command.
/ always went into winter quarters W
Vo him. In summer time l and his mot
IA. and my friends were at our spinn
or wheels. Once, in the winter, l had |
It's teen looms under one roof, all WeaV
wv cloth coarse, indeed, but warm-tor i,
soldiers Of the nation. Trust me, won
Air was made for nobler ends than merely
ou display fnery, which mars rather u
no improves the graGes that nature has
of slowed" nU
ee, 81 know,9i, said one of the lad
Ia. thoughtfully, "that Mrs Sarah Baohe,
he daughter OF BENJAMIN Franklin, sold
lad ornaments and all that she could possl